6111-T4 Aluminum
A 6000-series Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy, a higher-strength automotive sheet
Typical values for the temper in the title
6111 is an Al-Mg-Si alloy with about 0.7% copper added. The copper boosts the response to aging in the paint oven, so it reaches higher strength than 6016 after painting. In T4 its tensile strength is 220–250 MPa.
It is common mainly in North America, for outer panels and parts that need higher dent resistance.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 220–250 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 120–140 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 24% | |
| Hardness | 65 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 70 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 2.70 g/cm³ | |
| Machinability | 82% | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Si silicon | about 0.85 (nominal) | strengthening |
| Mg magnesium | about 0.75 (nominal) | strengthening |
| Cu copper | about 0.7 (nominal) | boosts bake hardening |
| Mn manganese | about 0.25 (nominal) | controls the grains |
| Al aluminum | balance |
Common tempers
Automotive sheet is supplied in T4 and gains most of its strength only in the paint oven (bake hardening).
| Temper | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| T4 | solution treated and naturally aged: soft for forming | the delivery temper for automotive sheet |
| T4 → paint bake | strength rises in the paint oven | "bake hardening": the paint curing cycle acts as artificial aging |
| T6 | artificially aged | maximum strength, when there is no paint step |
Applications
- Outer vehicle panels
- Hoods and doors
- Parts needing dent resistance
- Sheet structural parts
- Roofs
Fabrication
Forming
Forms well in T4, including hemming of outer panels.
Joining
Welds by spot, MIG and laser welding, and in vehicles is also joined by adhesive bonding and rivets.
Finishing
Suited to automotive paint lines; the final strength comes in the paint oven.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6016-T4 | 190–220 / 100–130 MPa | Good — ER4043 | the European counterpart, without copper · material page |
| 6009-T4 | 205–235 / 105–130 MPa | Good — ER4043 | lower strength · material page |
| 6061-T6 | 310 / 276 MPa | Good — ER4043 | for general structural parts · material page |
Common mistakes
Designing to T4 strength
The final strength comes only after painting. Design uses the values after the paint cycle.
Storing T4 sheet for a long time
Natural aging continues and makes forming harder. Follow the producer's storage times.
Ignoring the copper in corrosion resistance
The copper lowers corrosion resistance a little. Protection by paint and coating is part of the design.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| ASTM | 6111 |
|---|---|
| Standards | ASTM B209 |
| Forms | exterior panel plate |
| Producers | Novelis · Alcoa · Constellium |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only. For design, rely on the standard and on the mill certificate. Sources: Aluminum Association (composition), ASM and MatWeb data sheets, and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026