Aluminium Alloy 6082 – T6 Extrusions

Aluminum alloy 6082 is a medium-strength alloy recognized for its exceptional resistance to corrosion. It stands as the highest-strength member within the 6000 series alloys. Alloy 6082 is primarily acknowledged as a structural alloy, and when in plate form, it is the most commonly used alloy for machining purposes. This relatively recent alloy has gained prominence due to its superior strength, often replacing 6061 in various applications. The substantial addition of manganese serves to control the grain structure, resulting in an even stronger alloy. However, it’s worth noting that producing thin-walled, complex extrusion shapes in alloy 6082 can be challenging. The surface finish of extrusions may not be as smooth as that of similar-strength alloys within the 6000 series. In the T6 and T651 tempers, alloy 6082 displays good machinability, producing tightly coiled swarf when chip breakers are employed.