Aluminium alloy 6082 is a medium strength alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. It has the highest strength of the 6000 series alloys. Alloy 6082 is known as a structural alloy. In plate form, 6082 is the alloy most commonly used for machining. As a relatively new alloy, the higher strength of 6082 has seen it replace 6061 in many applications. The addition of a large amount of manganese controls the grain structure which in turn results in a stronger alloy.
It is difficult to produce thin walled, complicated extrusion shapes in alloy 6082. The extruded surface finish is not as smooth as other similar strength alloys in the 6000 series.
In the T6 and T651 temper, alloy 6082 machines well and produces tight coils of swarf when chip breakers are used.
| Chemical Element | % Present |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 - 1.00 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.0 - 0.50 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.60 - 1.20 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.70 - 1.30 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.0 - 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.0 - 0.20 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.0 - 0.10 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.0 - 0.25 |
| Other (Each) | 0.0 - 0.05 |
| Others (Total) | 0.0 - 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Balance |
Supplied Forms
Alloy 6082 is typically supplied as Channel, Angle, Tee, Square bar, Square box section, Rectangular box section, Flat bar and Tube.
Extrusions
Bar
Tube
Weldability
6082 has very good weldability but strength is lowered in the weld zone. When welded to itself, alloy 4043 wire is recommended. If welding 6082 to 7005, then the wire used should be alloy 5356.
Applications
Highly stressed applications
Trusses
Bridges
Cranes
Transport applications
Ore skips
Beer barrels
Milk churns
