Aerospace Aluminum Alloys

6061, 7075, 2024 Chemical Composition

Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys
Composition in percent by weight according to The Aluminum Association. The values associates maximum limits unless shown as a range or a
minumum.

Alloy

Si

Fe

Cu

Mn

Mg

Cr

Zn

Ti

Other
s
Each

Other
s Total

Al.
Min.

6061

0.400.8

0.7

0.150.40

0.15

0.81.2

0.040.35

0.25

0.15

0.05

0.15

Rem.

7075

0.40

0.50

1.2-2.0

0.30

2.12.9

0.180.28

5.16.1

0.20

0.05

0.15

Rem.

3.8-4.9

0.300.9

1.21.8

0.10

0.25

0.15

0.05

0.15

Rem.

2024

0.50

0.50

6061, 7075, 2024 Mechanical Properties

Typical Mechanical Properties
The following typical properties are not guaranteed since most cases they are averages for various sizes and methods of manufacture and may not be
exactly representative of any particular product or size. The data is intended for comparing alloys and tempers and should not be used for design
purposes.
Tensile
Streng
th

Yield
Streng
th

Elongation (%) for

the following
gauge ranges:

(ksi)

0.0100.050

Tensile
Streng
th

Yield
Streng
th

Elongation (%)
for the following
gauge ranges:

0.051-.12
5

(MPa)

(MPa)

0.251.25mm

1.263.0mm

Alloy

Tempe
r

(ksi)

18

25

26

124.1

55.2

25

26

6061

T4

35

21

22

24

241.3

144.8

22

24

T6

45

40

12

17

310.3

275.8

12

17

27

11

18

20

186.2

75.8

18

20

T3

70

50

16

18

482.6

344.7

16

18

T4

68

47

20

19

468.8

324.1

20

19

2024

Aluminum Specification Cross Reference

Alloy

6061

2024

Form

ASTM

AMS

ASME

Aluminum Coil

ASTM-B209

4025, 4026,
4027AMS-QQ-A250/11

SB-209

Aluminum Strip

ASTM-B209

4025, 4026,
4027AMS-QQ-A250/11

SB-209

Aluminum Plate

ASTM-B209

4025, 4026,
4027AMS-QQ-A250/11

SB-209

Aluminum Coil

ASTM-B209

4035, 4037

Aluminum Strip

ASTM-B209

Aluminum Plate

ASTM-B209

4035, 4037
4035, 4037

Other general differences

Characteristic
s
Weldability
Machining
Corrosion
Resistance

2024

6061

Poor
Average
Poor

Good
Good
Very Good

2024-T3 Aluminum
Minimum
Properties

Chemistry

6061-T6 Aluminum

Ultimate Tensile
Strength, psi

70,000

Yield Strength, psi

Brinell Hardness

Physical and Mechanical

Properties

Ultimate Tensile
Strength, psi

45,000

50,000

Yield Strength, psi

40,000

120

Brinell Hardness

95

Rockwell Hardness

B75

Rockwell Hardness

B60

Aluminum (Al)

90.7 -

Aluminum (Al)

95.8 - 98.6%

Chemistry

94.7%

Chromium (Cr)

0.04 - 0.35%

Chromium (Cr)

0.1% max

Copper (Cu)

0.15 - 0.40%

Copper (Cu)

3.8 - 4.9%

Iron (Fe)

0.70%

Iron (Fe)

0.5% max

Magnesium (Mg)

0.8 - 1.2%

Magnesium (Mg)

1.2 - 1.8%

Manganese (Mn)

0.15% max

Manganese (Mn)

0.3 - 0.9%

Silicon (Si)

0.4 - 0.8%

Silicon (Si)

0.5% max

Zinc (Zn)

0.25%

Zinc (Zn)

6061
This is the least expensive and most versatile of the heat-treatable aluminum alloys. It has most of the good qualities of aluminum. It offers a range of good mechanical
properties and good corrosion resistance. It can be fabricated by most of the commonly used techniques. In the annealed condition it has good workability. In the T4 condition
fairly severe forming operations may be accomplished. The full T6 properties may be obtained by artificial aging. It is welded by all methods and can be furnace brazed. It is
available in the clad form (Alclad) with a thin surface layer of high purity aluminum to improve both appearance and corrosion resistance. Applications: This grade is used for a
wide variety of products and applications from truck bodies and frames to screw machine parts and structural components. 6061 is used where appearance and better corrosion
resistance with good strength are required.
2024
This is one of the best known of the high strength aluminum alloys. With its high strength and excellent fatigue resistance, it is used to advantage on structures and parts where
good strength-to-weight ratio is desired. It is readily machined to a high finish. It is readily formed in the annealed condition and may be subsequently heat treated. Arc or gas
welding is generally not recommended, although this alloy may be spot, seam or flash welded. Since corrosion resistance is relatively low, 2024 is commonly used with an
anodized finish or in clad form (Alclad) with a thin surface layer of high purity aluminum. Applications: aircraft structural components, aircraft fittings, hardware, truck wheels
and parts for the transportation industry.