Aluminum 8006: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications

Comprehensive Overview

Alloy 8006 is a member of the 8xxx series of aluminum alloys, a family characterized by “other” alloying systems beyond the common 1xxx–7xxx families. The 8xxx series often contains iron, silicon, and occasional trace elements introduced for specific properties, and 8006 is typically grouped with alloys optimized for a balance of moderate strength, good formability and corrosion resistance in thin-gauge products.

The principal alloying constituents in 8006 are iron and silicon, with controlled additions of manganese and small amounts of copper, magnesium and chromium to tailor strength, intermetallic populations and grain stability. Strengthening in 8006 is predominantly by controlled solid-solution and precipitation of fine intermetallics coupled with work hardening; it is not primarily a heat-treatable alloy in the way 6xxx or 7xxx series alloys are.

Key traits of 8006 are moderate-to-high cold-formability, good atmospheric and localized corrosion resistance, acceptable weldability with appropriate filler selection, and a favorable strength-to-weight ratio that makes it attractive for thin-sheet applications. Typical industries include automotive exterior panels and trim, consumer packaging and heat-exchanger components, where a mix of formability, corrosion resistance and economical production outweighs the need for peak high-temperature strength. Engineers choose 8006 over alternative alloys when sheet formability and corrosion resistance are prioritized alongside modest strength without the complexity of precipitation heat treatment.

Temper Variants

Temper	Strength Level	Elongation	Formability	Weldability	Notes
O	Low	High (20–30%)	Excellent	Excellent	Fully annealed, best for deep drawing
H12	Medium-Low	Moderate (12–18%)	Very Good	Very Good	Lightly strain-hardened for improved yield
H14	Medium	Low-Moderate (6–12%)	Good	Good	Common commercial temper for balance of strength and formability
H16	Medium-High	Low (4–10%)	Fair	Good	Heavier strain hardening for higher stiffness
H18	High	Low (2–6%)	Limited	Good	Maximum work hardening in sheet; reduced formability
H24/H26	Medium-High	Low (3–8%)	Good after anneal	Good	Thermally stabilized H tempers (partial anneal then strain)

Temper strongly controls the trade-off between yield/tensile strength and ductility in 8006. Cold working (H tempers) raises yield and tensile by dislocation hardening and intermetallic strain interactions while progressively reducing elongation and stretch formability.

Because 8006 is not principally strengthened by solution and age heat treatment, T tempers are rarely used to gain additional peak strength; instead, H-series tempers plus controlled anneal cycles are the production routes to set final properties for forming or service.

Chemical Composition

Element	% Range	Notes
Si	0.10–0.60	Controls fluidity in casting and forms silicide particles; influences strength and corrosion pitting resistance
Fe	0.40–1.20	Primary impurity/alloying element; forms stable intermetallics that affect strength and recrystallization
Mn	0.05–0.60	Refines grain structure and aids in dispersoid formation for improved toughness and post-form hardness
Mg	0.05–0.40	Small additions increase strength via solid solution; too much reduces corrosion resistance
Cu	0.02–0.20	If present, raises strength but can reduce corrosion resistance and weldability in larger amounts
Zn	0.02–0.25	Kept low; zinc can contribute to age-hardening in other series but here is a minor constituent
Cr	0.01–0.25	Controls grain growth and stabilizes temper during forming and low-temperature heat treatments
Ti	0.01–0.10	Microalloying element used for grain refinement in cast or wrought stock
Others	Balance Al; trace elements ≤0.05 each	Residuals and deliberate microalloying (e.g., Zr, Sc at trace levels in specialized grades)

The composition of 8006 is tuned so that iron- and silicon-bearing intermetallic particles provide stable, fine dispersoids that limit grain growth and provide modest strengthening without relying on age hardening. Small manganese and chromium contents refine recrystallization behavior and contribute to toughness, while strict limits on copper and zinc preserve corrosion resistance and weldability.

Mechanical Properties

In tensile behavior 8006 shows the classical aluminum alloy trend where annealed material exhibits low yield and high elongation, while cold-worked tempers shift the stress–strain curve upward with reduced uniform elongation. The absence of substantial precipitation strengthening means tensile increases are dominated by dislocation density and particle–dislocation interactions produced during cold work.

Yield strength in H-series tempers can be increased by 2–4× relative to the O condition depending on cold work level, but ductility correspondingly decreases. Hardness follows the same pattern and is useful as a production control metric; fatigue performance is moderate and highly dependent on surface condition, temper and any forming-induced residual stresses. Thickness affects both achievable strength (through work-hardening depth) and formability; thinner gauges are easier to form and more readily work-harden than thick plates.

Property	O/Annealed	Key Temper (H14)	Notes
Tensile Strength	70–100 MPa	170–230 MPa	H14 is representative commercial temper for sheet; values depend on thickness and processing
Yield Strength	30–60 MPa	110–160 MPa	Yield measured 0.2% offset; cold work provides most of the increase
Elongation	20–30%	6–12%	Elongation drops with increasing temper; surface condition and test thickness influence results
Hardness (HB)	20–35 HB	45–75 HB	Brinell approximate ranges; hardness correlates with tensile and production state

Physical Properties

Property	Value	Notes
Density	~2.70 g/cm³	Typical for aluminium alloys; beneficial for lightweight design
Melting Range	~630–650 °C	Solidus-liquidus range depends on silicon/iron; processing requires appropriate thermal control
Thermal Conductivity	~150–180 W/m·K	Lower than pure Al due to alloying; still high for heat-spreading applications
Electrical Conductivity	~30–40 %IACS	Reduced from pure aluminium but acceptable for some conductor or bus applications
Specific Heat	~900 J/kg·K	Near typical aluminium values; useful for thermal mass calculations
Thermal Expansion	~23–24 µm/m·K (20–100 °C)	Linear coefficient similar to other Al alloys; consider in bimetallic designs

8006 retains the favorable thermal conductivity and specific heat typical of aluminum alloys, making it suitable for heat-sink and heat-exchanger roles where formability is also important. The moderate electrical conductivity and low density make it attractive when a balance of thermal/electrical performance and lightweight construction is required.

Thermal processing windows are constrained by the alloy’s melting range and intermetallic stability; localized overheating during welding or brazing can induce coarse intermetallics and reduce corrosion resistance in the heat-affected zone.

Product Forms

Form	Typical Thickness/Size	Strength Behavior	Common Tempers	Notes
Sheet	0.2–4.0 mm	Responds well to cold work; thin gauges form more easily	O, H12, H14, H16	Widely used for automotive panels, consumer goods
Plate	4–12 mm	Lower formability; requires heavier forming equipment	O, H16, H18	Used for structural parts where thickness is needed
Extrusion	Cross-section dependent	Strength varies with section size and cooling; can be age-stabilized	H1x, H2x	Limited commercial availability compared with 6xxx extrusions
Tube	0.5–6 mm wall	Cold-drawn or seam-welded tubes show improved strength	O, H14	Used in heat-exchanger and lightweight structural tubing
Bar/Rod	6–50 mm	Bulk properties track annealed vs drawn conditions	O, H12/H14	Used for small machined components and fasteners in non-critical loadings

Sheet products are the dominant form for 8006 due to the alloy’s emphasis on formability and thin-gauge production economics. Plate and extrusions exist but are less common and are chosen when geometry or stiffness requirements preclude sheet solutions. Tubes and rods are produced for niche applications; their mechanical properties are heavily influenced by drawing and finishing operations.

Equivalent Grades

Standard	Grade	Region	Notes
AA	8006	USA	Designation in the Aluminum Association system for wrought 8xxx series alloy
EN AW	8006	Europe	European wrought alloy designation; composition and temper practice are comparable, but specific limits may differ
JIS	A8006 (approx.)	Japan	Localized naming conventions exist; compare chemical limits for equivalency
GB/T	8006 (approx.)	China	Chinese standards may specify slightly different impurity limits and processing requirements

Cross-standard equivalence requires careful checking of the chemical limits and temper designations; while AA 8006 and EN AW 8006 are largely similar, minor differences in maximum Fe/Si or trace element limits can affect recrystallization and corrosion behavior. For critical procurement the material certificates should be matched to the applicable standard and production route rather than relying solely on grade numbers.

Corrosion Resistance

In atmospheric environments 8006 alloys display good general corrosion resistance that is often superior to copper-bearing alloys, provided surface finishes and temper control are appropriate. The low-to-moderate copper and zinc contents limit galvanic sensitivity while iron/silicon intermetallics can act as local cathodic sites; careful surface treatment and coating selection mitigate localized attack.

In marine or highly chloride-bearing environments 8006 performs acceptably for thin-sheet components but does not match the localized corrosion resistance of higher-magnesium 5xxx series alloys; pitting and crevice corrosion risk increases with increased cold work and surface damage. Stress corrosion cracking is not common at ambient temperatures in 8006, but susceptibility can increase in specific chloride-laden, tensile-stressed conditions; design to minimize sustained tensile stresses and avoid galvanic couples to more noble metals is prudent.

Galvanic interactions should consider that 8006 is anodic to stainless steels and noble copper alloys; insulating layers or compatible fasteners are recommended. Compared with 6xxx and 7xxx families, 8006 offers improved corrosion performance in many service conditions at the expense of peak structural strength that those age-hardenable alloys can deliver.

Fabrication Properties

Weldability

Welding of 8006 by common fusion methods (GMAW/MIG, GTAW/TIG) is feasible with attention to heat input and filler selection to avoid excessive HAZ softening. Use of low-alloy aluminium fillers matched to corrosion and ductility requirements (e.g., 4xxx series fillers for lap seams, 5xxx fillers where higher corrosion resistance is required) helps maintain joint performance.

Because 8006 is not heavily age-hardened, the risk of dramatic HAZ peak-hardness changes is lower than for heat-treatable alloys, but weld-induced segregation and coarse intermetallic formation can locally reduce toughness and corrosion resistance. Preheating is generally not required; however, controlling distortion and quench rates post-weld preserves sheet flatness and minimizes residual tensile stresses.

Machinability

Machining of 8006 is similar to other moderate-strength Al alloys: it machines readily with conventional carbide tooling and high feed rates, producing continuous chips if speeds and feeds are not optimized. Machinability index is generally favorable but slightly worse than pure aluminium due to dispersoids and intermetallic particles acting as abrasives.

Tool selection should prioritize sharp-edge carbide or PVD-coated inserts, rigid workholding and moderate cutting speeds to avoid built-up edge; coolant application improves surface finish and chip evacuation. Complex geometries formed from cold-worked tempers will be harder to cut and may require stress-relief anneals to obtain dimensional accuracy.

Formability

8006 is designed for excellent cold formability in annealed and lightly strained tempers; it supports deep drawing, hemming, and stretch forming with relatively small bend radii. Recommended minimum bend radii depend on temper and thickness but are typically in the range of 0.5–1.0× thickness for H14 and as low as 0.2–0.5× thickness in O temper for single-radius bends.

Work-hardening behavior is predictable and progressive, so incremental forming and controlled springback compensation yield consistent results. Lubrication and die design are critical for severe draws to avoid wrinkling and localized thinning, and a light solution anneal restores formability after excessive cold work.

Heat Treatment Behavior

As a predominantly non-heat-treatable alloy, 8006 does not respond to classical solutionizing plus artificial aging sequences to produce large increases in strength. Attempts at solution heat treatment and aging yield only marginal property changes compared with age-hardenable 6xxx/7xxx alloys.

Industrial property adjustments are achieved primarily through controlled cold work, partial anneals and stabilizing low-temperature thermal treatments (H2x/H4x designations) to tailor ductility and yield for forming operations. Full annealing (O) restores near-base ductility and reduces residual stresses, while targeted low-temperature stabilization reduces springback without compromising corrosion resistance.

High-Temperature Performance

Mechanical strength of 8006 declines with increasing temperature, with significant softening observed above roughly 150–200 °C and practical continuous-use limits typically placed below 100–120 °C for structural applications. Prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures promotes coarsening of intermetallic particles and loss of dislocation structure produced by cold work, degrading both strength and fatigue resistance.

Oxidation is limited and self-limiting due to formation of a protective alumina film, but at high temperatures or in aggressive atmospheres the protective layer can be compromised. Welded areas and HAZ zones show greater sensitivity to thermal exposure; designers should avoid sustained thermal cycles near melting range to prevent grain boundary weakening and reduced corrosion performance.

Applications

Industry	Example Component	Why 8006 Is Used
Automotive	Exterior body panels, trim	Excellent sheet formability and good corrosion resistance at economical cost
Marine	Non-structural deck panels, trim	Balanced corrosion performance and weight savings for thin-gauge parts
Aerospace	Interior fittings, shrouds	Good strength-to-weight for non-primary structural components with complex shapes
Electronics	Heat spreaders, chassis	High thermal conductivity combined with formability for stamped heat-sink features
Consumer Goods	Appliance panels, cookware exteriors	Finishability, corrosion resistance and forming economy

8006 finds its niche where thin-gauge formability and corrosion resistance are key and the additional complexity or cost of precipitation-hardened alloys is unnecessary. Its combination of properties makes it particularly useful in high-volume formed parts, shallow-draw consumer components and heat-transfer elements where shaping economy and surface finish matter.

Selection Insights

When selecting 8006, prioritize applications that require good cold formability, reasonable strength after cold work, and strong atmospheric corrosion resistance at competitive cost. Use O or lightly worked H tempers for deep drawing and select H14–H16 for final-service strength where formability needs are moderate.

Compared with commercially pure aluminum such as 1100, 8006 trades slightly lower electrical conductivity and some formability for significantly higher yield and tensile strength in cold-worked tempers. Compared with work-hardened alloys like 3003 or 5052, 8006 typically offers comparable or improved formability with similar corrosion resistance but may sit slightly lower in peak work-hardened strength than some Mg-bearing 5xxx alloys. Compared with heat-treatable alloys such as 6061 or 6063, 8006 will not reach the same peak age-hardened strength but is often preferred when superior as-formed ductility, simpler processing and corrosion resistance are more important than maximum static strength.

Closing Summary

Alloy 8006 remains a practical choice for modern engineering where thin-gauge formability, balanced corrosion resistance and economical processing are required. Its non-heat-treatable, work-hardening response and stable intermetallic population provide predictable forming behavior and service performance, making it a reliable material for automotive, marine, electronic and consumer applications that demand a mix of formability, finishability and moderate strength.