6018 Aluminum alloy,Aluminum 6018 alloy,E FORU

### **Product Introduction: 6018 Aluminum Alloy** **6018 Aluminum Alloy** is a heat-treatable aluminum-magnesium-silicon (Al-Mg-Si) alloy specifically developed for high-strength automotive applications. It offers an excellent combination of good formability in the T4 condition and significant strength increase after paint-bake hardening, making it particularly suitable for automotive structural components and body panels requiring enhanced mechanical performance. --- ### **1. International Standards** 6018 Aluminum Alloy is recognized under the following international standards: - **AA (Aluminum Association, USA):** AA 6018 - **UNS (Unified Numbering System):** UNS A96018 - **EN (European Norm):** EN AW-6018 - **ISO (International Organization for Standardization):** AlMg1.0Si - **VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry):** VDA 239-100 (Typical compliance) --- ### **2. Chemical Composition** The chemical composition limits (in weight percentage) are specified as follows: | Element | Content (%) | |:---------|:------------| | **Aluminum (Al)** | Balance | | **Silicon (Si)** | 0.70 - 1.1 | | **Magnesium (Mg)** | 0.70 - 1.1 | | **Manganese (Mn)** | 0.30 - 0.7 | | **Copper (Cu)** | 0.15 - 0.40 | | **Iron (Fe)** | ≤ 0.35 | | **Chromium (Cr)** | ≤ 0.20 | | **Zinc (Zn)** | ≤ 0.15 | | **Titanium (Ti)** | ≤ 0.10 | | **Others (each)** | ≤ 0.05 | | **Others (total)** | ≤ 0.15 | **Key Takeaway:** The balanced magnesium and silicon content with controlled copper addition provides enhanced strength potential through precipitation hardening while maintaining good formability. The manganese content contributes to strength and grain structure control. --- ### **3. Physical Properties** The typical physical properties of 6018 aluminum alloy are: | Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value | |:----------|:-------------|:---------------| | **Density** | 2.70 g/cm³ | 0.0975 lb/in³ | | **Melting Range** | 600 - 650 °C | 1112 - 1202 °F | | **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion** | 23.4 × 10⁻⁶/°C (20-100°C) | 13.0 × 10⁻⁶/°F (68-212°F) | | **Thermal Conductivity** | 160 - 180 W/m·K | 925 - 1040 BTU·in/(hr·ft²·°F) | | **Electrical Conductivity** | 42-46% IACS | 42-46% IACS | | **Modulus of Elasticity** | 69 GPa | 10,000 ksi | | **Shear Modulus** | 26 GPa | 3,770 ksi | --- ### **4. Mechanical Properties** Mechanical properties are optimized for automotive structural applications: **Temper: T4** (Solution heat-treated and naturally aged) - **Tensile Strength:** 220 - 270 MPa (32 - 39 ksi) - **Yield Strength (0.2% Offset):** 120 - 170 MPa (17 - 25 ksi) - **Elongation (% in 50mm):** 18-22% - **Strain-Hardening Exponent (n-value):** 0.20 - 0.23 - **Plastic Strain Ratio (r-value):** 0.55 - 0.70 **After Paint-Bake Cycle** (185°C/365°F for 20-30 minutes): - **Yield Strength Increase:** 90 - 130 MPa (13 - 19 ksi) - **Final Yield Strength:** 210 - 300 MPa (30 - 44 ksi) - **Final Tensile Strength:** 280 - 350 MPa (41 - 51 ksi) --- ### **5. Product Applications** 6018 Aluminum Alloy is primarily used in demanding automotive applications: - **Automotive Structural Components:** - Body-in-white structural members - Crash management components - Bumper reinforcement systems - Seat frame structures - Cross car beams - **High-Strength Body Panels:** - Door impact beams - Hood reinforcement panels - Structural body panels requiring higher strength - Chassis reinforcement components - **Safety-Critical Applications:** - Anti-intrusion beams - Safety cell components - Impact absorption structures - Reinforcement members --- ### **6. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Enhanced Strength Properties:** Provides higher strength levels compared to standard 6000-series automotive alloys, making it suitable for structural applications. - **Good Bake-Hardening Response:** Significant strength increase during automotive paint-bake cycles, achieving final strength levels suitable for safety-critical components. - **Adequate Formability:** Maintains good forming characteristics in T4 temper, allowing for manufacturing of moderately complex components. - **Good Dent Resistance:** The higher strength after baking provides improved dent resistance for structural and semi-structural applications. - **Balanced Corrosion Resistance:** Controlled copper content provides adequate corrosion resistance while enhancing strength potential. - **Excellent Fatigue Performance:** Good fatigue resistance suitable for dynamically loaded automotive components. - **Weight Reduction Potential:** Enables significant mass reduction while meeting structural performance requirements. --- ### **7. Processing Characteristics** **Heat Treatment Parameters:** - Solution Heat Treatment: 530-550°C (985-1020°F) - Quenching: Controlled cooling to optimize T4 properties - Natural Aging: Properties stabilize within 24-72 hours - Paint-Bake Aging: Effective response at 175-190°C (345-375°F) **Forming Guidelines:** - Good formability in T4 temper condition - Suitable for moderate deep-drawing operations - Springback characteristics require consideration in tooling design - Compatible with standard automotive stamping processes **Joining Capabilities:** - Good spot weldability with proper parameter optimization - Suitable for MIG and laser welding processes - Compatible with self-piercing rivets (SPR) - Good performance in adhesive bonding applications --- ### **8. Comparative Advantages** **vs. 6016 Alloy:** - Higher strength in both T4 and baked conditions - Better suited for structural applications - Enhanced bake-hardening response - Improved dent resistance **vs. 6011 Alloy:** - Better surface quality - Superior corrosion resistance - More suitable for exposed applications - Enhanced formability **vs. 6022 Alloy:** - Higher strength potential - Better for structural components - Enhanced crash performance - Suitable for safety-critical applications --- ### **9. Automotive Performance** **Structural Performance:** - Adequate for body-in-white applications - Good energy absorption characteristics - Suitable for crash management systems - Meets automotive safety requirements **Durability Characteristics:** - Good fatigue resistance for structural components - Maintains performance under dynamic loading - Suitable for long-term durability requirements - Resistant to automotive environmental conditions --- ### **10. Manufacturing Considerations** **Production Efficiency:** - Requires more controlled forming processes than lower-strength alloys - Good compatibility with automated production systems - Consistent performance in well-controlled manufacturing environments - Suitable for high-volume automotive production **Quality Assurance:** - Meets automotive OEM specifications for structural applications - Consistent mechanical properties with proper process control - Reliable performance in safety-critical components - Compliant with automotive quality standards --- ### **Summary** **6018 Aluminum Alloy** represents a higher-strength variant in the 6000-series automotive aluminum family, specifically engineered for applications requiring enhanced mechanical performance. Its balanced combination of good formability in the T4 condition and significant strength increase after paint-bake hardening makes it particularly valuable for automotive structural components, safety-critical parts, and applications where higher dent resistance is required. While offering slightly reduced formability compared to some other 6000-series alloys, 6018 provides superior strength characteristics, making it an ideal choice for automotive manufacturers seeking to maximize weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity and safety performance in demanding 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 1964 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.