6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

6082-T6 is a high-strength aluminum alloy tube widely used in structural and aerospace fields due to its excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

• Alloy Series: Part of the 6000 series (Al-Mg-Si alloys), known for heat treatability and medium-to-high strength
• Temper Designation: The "T6" indicates solution heat treatment followed by artificial aging, enhancing tensile strength and hardness

6082 T6 aluminum tube is a tubular profile made from 6082 aluminum alloy through T6 heat treatment process (solution treatment + full artificial aging).

6082 T6 aluminum tube is a high-strength heat-treated forged alloy in the 6000 series, featuring excellent corrosion resistance, good machinability, and weldability. This alloy is widely used in structural and high-stress applications, including trusses, bridges, cranes, transport frames, and aerospace piping. It is primarily produced through extrusion or drawing processes and complies with international standards such as EN 755-2 and EN 754-2.

6082 T6 Aluminium Tube Standards and Specifications

6082 T6 tubes comply with a range of international standards for forged aluminum products, including:

• EN 755-2: Extruded rod/bar, tube, and profiles – Mechanical properties
• EN 754-2: Cold drawn rod/bar and tube – Mechanical properties
• EN 573-3: Chemical composition and forms of wrought products
• EN 485-2: Sheet, strip, and plate – Mechanical properties
• ISO 6361: Wrought aluminum and aluminum alloy sheets, strips, and plates

6082 T6 Aluminium Tube Typical Size Range

Commercial 6082 T6 tubes are available in a variety of outer diameters (e.g., 10 mm to 150 mm) and wall thicknesses (1 mm to 25 mm). Common stock sizes include 35 mm outer diameter × 2 mm wall thickness and 40 mm outer diameter × 3 mm wall thickness, as well as custom sizes in accordance with EN 755-2 tolerance requirements.

Standards and Dimensions

Standards: Complies with EN 755, BS L100, AS9100, and DIN 3.2315 standards.

Stock Dimensions:

• Round tube: Outer diameter 6–120 mm, wall thickness 0.5–3 mm.
• Square/rectangular tube: Side length up to 200 mm, wall thickness 2–5 mm.

6082 T6 Aluminium Tube Chemical Composition

6082 aluminum alloy belongs to the wrought aluminum-magnesium-silicon-manganese series. It typically contains (by weight) 0.6–1.2% magnesium, 0.7–1.3% silicon, 0.4–1.0% manganese, a maximum of 0.5% iron, 0.25% chromium, 0.1% copper, 0.1% titanium, 0.2% zinc, and other residuals up to 0.15%; the remainder being aluminum (95.2–98.3%).

Physical Properties of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

• Density: 2.70 g/cm³
• Thermal Conductivity: ~180 W/m·K
• Melting Range: 585 °C to 650 °C
• Young's Modulus: 71 GPa
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 23.1 μm/m·K

Mechanical Properties of 6082 Aluminium Tube (T6 Temper)

• Standard extruded/drawn tube (wall thickness 5–25 mm)
• Yield Strength: ≥ 260 MPa
• Tensile Strength: ≥ 310 MPa
• Elongation (A₅₀ mm): ≥ 8%
• Brinell Hardness: ~95 HB

‌Strength Performance‌: Highest strength among 6000 series aluminium alloys, suitable for high-stress applications such as trusses, cranes, and marine structures.

Typical Commercial Tube Examples

• 35 mm OD × 2 mm wall thickness: Tensile strength ≥ 290 MPa, Hardness 95 HB
• 40 mm OD × 3 mm wall thickness: Tensile strength ≥ 290 MPa, Hardness 95 HB

Heat Treatment and Manufacturing of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

• T6 Temper Definition: T6 indicates the alloy has been solution heat-treated and artificially aged to maximize strength while maintaining reasonable ductility.
• Manufacturing Method: 6082 T6 tubes are typically produced via extrusion or cold drawing, enabling the production of thin-walled and dimensionally precise complex profiles.

Corrosion Resistance and Surface Treatment of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

The 6082 alloy, due to its balanced Mg-Si-Mn chemical composition, exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, especially in marine and industrial environments; additionally, it is easily anodized, enhancing surface protection and aesthetics.

‌Processing Technology of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube‌

• Slightly inferior surface finish during extrusion compared to other alloys in the same series; forming of thin-walled complex profiles is more difficult.
• Excellent machinability, good chip breakability in T6/T651 temper, suitable for precision component manufacturing.

Applications of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube in the Aerospace Field

• Aircraft fuel lines, hydraulic pipelines, and other fuselage components, fully utilizing its strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance.
• Fuel tanks, fuselage structures, landing gear components.
• Auxiliary structures for aircraft landing gear, aerospace fixtures.

Applications of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

• Construction: bridges, cranes, roof trusses.
• Transportation: truck frames, railway carriages.
• Industry: hydraulic systems, ore buckets, beer kegs.
• Structural and Load-Bearing: due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, suitable for trusses, bridges, cranes, transport frames, and ore buckets.
• Industrial: beer kegs, milk mixers, and pressure vessel components for high-stress applications.

Manufacturing Process and Limitations of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

• Weldability: Suitable for gas/arc welding, but strength in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) is reduced. Use of 4043 filler wire is recommended for optimal results.
• Machinability: Capable of producing tight chip curls in T6 temper and can be equipped with chip breakers.
• Extrusion Process Challenges: Difficult to extrude thin-walled or complex shapes; surface finish is rougher compared to 6063.

Comparison and Advantages of 6082 T6 Aluminium Tube

• ‌Compared with 6061 Alloy‌: 6082-T6 has higher strength and better corrosion resistance, though it is more quench-sensitive; more suitable for marine environments and heavy-load structures.
• ‌Surface Treatment‌: Excellent anodizing properties, supports dyeing, coating, and other secondary processing; widely used in decorative industrial components.

Comparison with Similar Alloys