What Are Common Tempers of EN AW 6082
As a typical Al-Mg-Si alloy, 6082 aluminum alloy has become a leading choice for marine applications due to its excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and workability. However, its performance is largely determined by its heat treatment state.
Core Tempers of 6082 aluminum sheet and profile
The temper classification of 6082 aluminum alloy follows internationally recognized heat treatment and processing temper designations. T6, T651, O, and H112 are the four most commonly used tempers in the marine industry. Each temper has significant differences in processing technology and mechanical properties, which determine its application in ships.
1. T6 temper
Al 6082 t6 is a temper after solution treatment and artificial aging. It is one of the strongest tempers for marine applications. Its tensile strength reaches 310-350 MPa, its yield strength is approximately 270-310 MPa, and its hardness (HV) ranges from 90-110. It also offers excellent resistance to stress corrosion—a crucial property for marine components exposed to prolonged seawater immersion.
However, 6082 aluminum alloy in the T6 temper also has limitations: its plasticity decreases slightly after solution treatment, and excessive bending must be avoided during processing to prevent cracking. Therefore, it is more suitable for ship components that bear heavy loads and have stringent strength requirements, rather than structures that require frequent deformation.
2. T651 temper
The T651 temper is based on the T6 temper, but incorporates a "stretch straightening" process. This process applies a certain tensile force to the aluminum alloy profile or sheet to eliminate the internal stress generated by solution treatment, while also improving the material's dimensional accuracy and straightness.
Compared to the T6 temper, T651 offers similar mechanical properties but exhibits enhanced deformation resistance, making it particularly suitable for long ship components requiring high dimensional stability. For example, support beams on ship decks and longitudinal ribs on the hull sides are subjected to long-term stress and require stable shape. 6082 aluminum alloy in the T651 temper effectively prevents warping or deformation during use.
3. O Temper
O Temper (annealed) is the state of 6082 aluminum alloy after complete annealing. Its most significant characteristic is its excellent ductility (elongation can reach 15%-20%), but its strength is relatively low (tensile strength is approximately 110-140 MPa) and its hardness is only 30-40 HV. This alloy is easy to bend, stamp, and weld, making it suitable for the production of complex shapes and components requiring multiple forming cycles.
In shipbuilding, 6082-O aluminum alloy is often used for non-load-bearing components that require complex shapes, such as interior panels for ship cabins, protective casings for small equipment, and curved pipe joints. These components do not require high loads but must conform to various installation spaces, and the high ductility of the O Temper meets this requirement.
4. H112 Temper
H112 Temper is the state of en aw 6082 that cools naturally after hot working. It is considered a "non-heat-treated strengthening state." Its properties lie between those of the O and T6 tempers: tensile strength of approximately 180-220 MPa, yield strength of approximately 80-110 MPa, and moderate ductility (elongation of 10%-14%). It does not require additional heat treatment, resulting in low production costs.
Due to its balanced performance and excellent stability, 6082-H112 aluminum alloy is often used for simple, low-stress marine components, such as anti-slip deck covers (which require no complex forming, simply cutting and splicing), simple cabin brackets, and small pipe clamps. These components do not require high strength but do require a certain level of corrosion resistance and ease of processing, for which the H112 temper is ideal.
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