Treating a Non-6061 Alloy to a 6061-T6 Temper

First, Google: Bending 6061-T6

Then, you might check the search feature, to your right.

If, after that you need help, come back.

It helps to register, too.

Welcome.

There are other alloys that bend more easily without cracking but, if you want to continue using 6061, you can anneal before bending by heating the material to approximately 400ºC for 2-3 hours (T0). After forming, solution heat treat at 520°C (time at temperature is unimportant). Remove from the furnace and quickly quench in water (warm or cold). That should bring the material to a T4 temper. Artificially age (precipitation harden) at 180°C for 6-10 hours to obtain a T6 temper.

Properties of this and other aluminum alloys can be obtained at www.matweb.com.

Bluestoone,

If I can acquire 6061-O sheet, can I then have it treated to bring it up to a T6 after forming?

Or, does the alloy have to start at a T6 temper and then be brought down to form and brought back up as you described above?

Thank you,

Mike

Yes you can. It can start in any condition softer than T6.

You might even be able to acquire it in T4, which might be soft enough to form without cracking. Following is typical ultimate, yield, elongation (% in 2" for a 1/16" thick specimen) and hardness of 6061.

6061-0: 18 ksi, 8 ksi, 25%, 30 BHN (Brinell Hardness Number).

6061-T4: 35 ksi, 21 ksi, 22%, 65 BHN.

6061-T6: 45 ksi, 40 ksi,12%, 95 BHN.

You'll also see minor variations in temper like T451, T651, etc. but they'll have essentially the same physical properties as T4 and T6. Key is the first number after the T.

Hi,

I have a question. Can Aluminum at a T4 temper age over time to a T6? Reading your thread I think the answer is yes and if so how long.

Thanks,

J