6012 Aluminum alloy,Aluminum 6012 alloy,E FORU

### **Product Introduction: 6012 Aluminum Alloy** **6012 Aluminum Alloy** is a high-strength, heat-treatable aluminum-magnesium-silicon (Al-Mg-Si) alloy specifically developed for automotive applications requiring excellent formability, superior bake-hardening response, and enhanced strength. This alloy is particularly noted for its outstanding deep-drawing capabilities combined with significant strength increase during paint-bake cycles, making it ideal for automotive body panels and structural components. --- ### **1. International Standards** 6012 Aluminum Alloy is recognized under the following international standards: - **AA (Aluminum Association, USA):** AA 6012 - **UNS (Unified Numbering System):** UNS A96012 - **ISO (International Organization for Standardization):** AlMg1.0Si - **EN (European Norm):** EN AW-6012 - **ASTM:** ASTM B209 (Sheet and Plate) --- ### **2. Chemical Composition** The chemical composition limits (in weight percentage) are specified as follows: | Element | Content (%) | |:---------|:------------| | **Aluminum (Al)** | Balance | | **Silicon (Si)** | 0.40 - 1.0 | | **Magnesium (Mg)** | 0.60 - 1.0 | | **Manganese (Mn)** | 0.40 - 1.0 | | **Copper (Cu)** | 0.50 - 1.0 | | **Iron (Fe)** | ≤ 0.50 | | **Chromium (Cr)** | ≤ 0.30 | | **Zinc (Zn)** | ≤ 0.20 | | **Titanium (Ti)** | ≤ 0.20 | | **Others (each)** | ≤ 0.05 | | **Others (total)** | ≤ 0.15 | **Key Takeaway:** The higher copper content (0.50-1.0%) combined with optimized magnesium and manganese levels provides enhanced strength potential and superior bake-hardening response compared to other 6000-series automotive alloys. --- ### **3. Physical Properties** The typical physical properties of 6012 aluminum alloy are: | Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value | |:----------|:-------------|:---------------| | **Density** | 2.70 g/cm³ | 0.0975 lb/in³ | | **Melting Range** | 580 - 650 °C | 1076 - 1202 °F | | **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion** | 23.4 × 10⁻⁶/°C (20-100°C) | 13.0 × 10⁻⁶/°F (68-212°F) | | **Thermal Conductivity** | 150 - 170 W/m·K | 865 - 980 BTU·in/(hr·ft²·°F) | | **Electrical Conductivity** | 38-42% IACS | 38-42% IACS | | **Modulus of Elasticity** | 69 GPa | 10,000 ksi | | **Shear Modulus** | 26 GPa | 3,770 ksi | --- ### **4. Mechanical Properties** Mechanical properties vary significantly with temper condition: **Temper: T4** (Solution heat-treated and naturally aged) - **Tensile Strength:** 240 - 290 MPa (35 - 42 ksi) - **Yield Strength (0.2% Offset):** 140 - 190 MPa (20 - 28 ksi) - **Elongation (% in 50mm):** 16-20% **After Paint-Bake Cycle** (185°C/365°F for 30 minutes): - **Yield Strength Increase:** 100 - 140 MPa (15 - 20 ksi) - **Final Yield Strength:** 240 - 330 MPa (35 - 48 ksi) - **Final Tensile Strength:** 300 - 370 MPa (44 - 54 ksi) **Temper: T6** (Solution heat-treated and artificially aged) - **Tensile Strength:** 330 - 380 MPa (48 - 55 ksi) - **Yield Strength (0.2% Offset):** 290 - 340 MPa (42 - 49 ksi) - **Elongation (% in 50mm):** 8-12% --- ### **5. Product Applications** 6012 Aluminum Alloy is primarily used in demanding automotive applications: - **Automotive Body Panels:** - Door outer panels requiring high dent resistance - Hood outer panels - Trunk lids and deck lids - Fenders and quarter panels - **Structural Automotive Components:** - Body-in-white structural members - Crash management systems - Bumper reinforcements - Seat frame components - **High-Strength Applications:** - Chassis components - Suspension parts - Engine cradles - Cross members - **Transportation Industry:** - Commercial vehicle body panels - Bus structural components - Rail vehicle applications --- ### **6. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Superior Bake-Hardening Response:** Demonstrates exceptional strength increase (100-140 MPa yield strength boost) during automotive paint-bake cycles, providing one of the highest bake-hardening potentials among automotive aluminum alloys. - **Excellent Deep-Drawing Capability:** Maintains outstanding formability in T4 temper, allowing for manufacturing of complex automotive panels with deep-draw requirements. - **High Strength-to-Weight Ratio:** Provides excellent mechanical properties combined with lightweight characteristics for significant weight reduction in automotive applications. - **Enhanced Dent Resistance:** The high strength after baking provides superior dent resistance compared to other automotive aluminum alloys. - **Good Corrosion Resistance:** Maintains adequate corrosion resistance for automotive applications, though slightly reduced compared to lower-copper alloys. - **Excellent Hemming Performance:** Exhibits good edge-hemming characteristics suitable for automotive closure panel applications. - **Weldability:** Can be spot-welded using standard automotive welding parameters with good nugget formation characteristics. --- ### **7. Processing Characteristics** **Heat Treatment Cycle:** - Solution Heat Treatment: 530-550°C (985-1020°F) - Quenching: Rapid cooling required to maintain solute in solution - Natural Aging: Several days at room temperature to stabilize T4 properties - Artificial Aging: 175-185°C (345-365°F) for 20-40 minutes for paint-bake response **Forming Characteristics:** - Excellent deep-drawing capability in T4 temper - Strain-hardening exponent (n-value): 0.18 - 0.22 - Plastic strain ratio (r-value): 0.50 - 0.65 - Suitable for severe forming operations including deep-drawing and stretch-forming **Painting and Baking:** - Optimal paint-bake response at 175-185°C (345-365°F) - Typical automotive paint-bake cycles: 20-40 minutes - Peak strength development occurs within standard automotive painting processes --- ### **8. Comparison with Other Automotive Alloys** **vs. 6010 Alloy:** - Higher copper content provides enhanced bake-hardening response - Superior strength potential in both T4 and baked conditions - Slightly reduced formability but still excellent for automotive applications **vs. 6009 Alloy:** - Significantly higher strength potential - Better dent resistance - More suitable for structural and outer panel applications **vs. 6111 Alloy:** - Comparable strength levels - Better deep-drawing capability - Similar bake-hardening response --- ### **9. Quality and Performance** **Surface Quality:** - Good surface finish suitable for Class A automotive panels - May require surface treatment for optimal painting performance - Appropriate for exposed automotive body panels **Fatigue Performance:** - Good fatigue resistance for automotive applications - Suitable for dynamically loaded components - Meets automotive industry standards for durability In summary, **6012 Aluminum Alloy** represents a premium automotive aluminum sheet material that delivers an exceptional combination of high strength, superior bake-hardening response, and excellent formability. Its optimized chemistry makes it particularly suitable for demanding automotive applications where maximum weight reduction, structural performance, and manufacturing feasibility must be balanced, positioning it as one of the highest-performing alloys in the 6000-series for automotive body-in-white applications.

Packing of Standard Packing: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 1956 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.