What is aluminium 6082?

6082 is a medium-strength aluminium alloy within the 6000 series, valued for its high efficiency in machining and excellent general-purpose performance. As one of the newer alloys in this series, 6082 offers the highest strength among 6000-series grades, and has increasingly replaced 6061 in many applications—particularly where machinability and mechanical integrity are key requirements.

In plate form, 6082 is the most commonly used aluminium alloy for CNC machining. The strongest variant is 6082-T6, although other widely used tempers include T651. Less common tempers include T4 and O, which are typically specified for specialist requirements.

The aerospace-grade equivalents of 6082 include:

• L111 - bar
• L113 - sheet
• L114 - tube
• L115 - plate

Alternative designations and trade names for 6082 include HE30, H30, H30TF (where TF denotes T6), DIN 3.2315, EN AW-6082, and A96082.

Thanks to its excellent machinability, widespread availability, and compatibility with a range of surface finishes, 6082 is commonly used across a broad range of sectors. The aerospace-specific “L” grades are also widely specified for military, defence, and aerospace components due to their performance and traceability.

Main attributes

• Medium strength
• Lightweight
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Extruded surface finish not as smooth as others in the 6000 series
• Good weldability but strength lowered in the weld zone
• Good for brazing & soldering
• Suitable for outdoor applications and will not rust
• Does not perform as well when exposed to saltwater as 5000 series grades

Common applications

• Structural components
• Packaging & containers
• Bridges
• Trusses

Finishing & treatments

6082 aluminium is well suited to anodising and other surface treatments, making it a versatile option when additional protection or aesthetic finishes are required. It responds well to both decorative and functional finishes, with several standard options available depending on application needs.

Common finishing and treatment options for 6082 include:

• Natural and colour sulphuric anodising
• Natural and colour hard anodising
• Chromate and non-chromate conversion coatings, including Alochrom 1000/1200 (not RoHS compliant), Iridite NCP, and Surtec 650

UK stock sizes

The following lists provide an overview of standard UK stock sizes for 6082 aluminium and its aerospace-grade equivalents (L111, L113, L114, and L115).

Please note: Penta Precision does not supply raw material. This information is provided for reference and design purposes only.

Common 6082 aluminium stock sizes

The most widely stocked tempers of 6082 are T6 and T651, though T4 and O are also available from some suppliers.

• Round bar: Ø1/4" (6.35 mm) to Ø16" (406 mm) in standard imperial increments
• Plate: Thicknesses from 3 mm to 10" (250 mm)
• Flat bar: From 3/8" × 1/4" (9.52 mm × 6.35 mm) up to 6" × 1" (152 mm × 25.4 mm); larger sizes may be available on extended lead times
• Tube: Ø1/2" (12.9 mm) OD, 10 gauge (3.3 mm) wall up to Ø6.5" (165 mm) OD, 1/4" (6.35 mm) wall
• Channel: From 1.25" square (31.75 mm) with 1/8" (3 mm) wall to approx. 8" × 3" (203 mm × 76 mm) with 1/2" (12.7 mm) wall
• Angle: From 1/2" (12.7 mm) with 1/8" (3 mm) wall to 6" (152 mm) with 1/2" (12.7 mm) wall

L111 aluminium (Bar)

• Most commonly supplied in T6511
• Diameters range from Ø3/16" to Ø11"
• T6 temper available in Ø3/16" and Ø1/2"

L113 aluminium (Sheet)

• T6: 0.7 mm – 6 mm thick
• T4: 0.7 mm – 3 mm thick
• O: 0.8 mm – 2.5 mm thick

L114 aluminium (Tube)

• T4: 1/4" OD × 22 gauge up to 2" OD × 16 gauge
• T6: 3/16" OD × 20 gauge up to 5" OD × 16 gauge

L115 aluminium (Plate)

• Typically supplied in T651 temper
• Available in thicknesses from 1/2" to 5"

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Technical properties

6082 aluminium mechanical properties

T6/T651 aluminium mechanical properties

6082 aluminium physical properties

The following general physical properties apply to 6082 T651 which is available in plate and sheet.

L111 T651 aluminium bar physical properties

L113 6082 T6 aluminium physical properties

L114 6082 T4 aluminium physical properties

L115 6082 T651 aluminium physical properties

Typical chemical composition

6082 aluminium chemical composition

L111 T651 aluminium bar chemical composition

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L113 6082 T6 aluminium chemical composition

L114 6082 T4 aluminium chemical composition

L115 6082 T651 aluminium chemical composition

Note for designers

6082 aluminium is widely stocked in the UK and available in most standard sizes of plate, round bar, and flat bar, allowing for fast procurement and reliable availability.

Its popularity also makes it one of the most cost-effective aluminium grades for machining.

Thanks to its excellent machinability, 6082 can typically be machined using standard tooling, which reduces setup time, tool wear, and overall cycle times — making it a practical and economical choice for CNC milled or turned components.