Aluminum 6101 T6 High Electrical Conductivity Busbar Plate
In the power industry, the busbar may look like a simple piece of metal, but it plays a critical role. Traditionally, copper busbars have been the default choice, mainly because of copper's excellent conductivity. But over the last decade, 6101 aluminum alloy busbars have been gaining more and more ground in power grids, substations, and new energy systems. 6101 is a conductor-grade aluminum alloy, designed specifically for electrical applications. Its main advantage lies in balancing conductivity with mechanical strength.
Chemical Composition of Aluminum 6101 T6
Element | Composition % |
Magnesium (Mg) | 0.90% - 1.20% |
Silicon (Si) | 0.60% - 1.20% |
Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.70% |
Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10% |
Manganese (Mn) | 0.20% - 0.60% |
Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.10% |
Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.20% |
Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.10% |
Aluminum (Al) | Balance (Rest) |
Mechanical Properties of Aluminum 6101 T6
Property | Value |
Tensile Strength | 205 MPa (minimum) |
Yield Strength | 130 MPa (minimum) |
Elongation (50 mm) | 18% (minimum) |
Brinell Hardness | 60 - 70 HB |
Modulus of Elasticity | 68.9 GPa |
Typical Sizes of Aluminum Alloy 6101 T6 plate
Size | Range |
Thickness | 3 mm --100 mm (custom thicknesses available) |
Width | 100 mm --1500 mm (custom widths available) |
Length | 1000 mm -- 6000 mm (standard lengths; custom lengths available) |
Ampacity (Current-Carrying Capacity)
This is always the key factor for busbars.
For the same cross-section, aluminum carries less current than copper.
But by slightly increasing the cross-sectional area, 6101 aluminum busbars can match copper’s ampacity—while still being lighter and less expensive.
Example: For 1000A current, a copper busbar might be 100×10 mm, while an aluminum busbar may need to be 120×10 mm. Even so, the aluminum option is still lighter and more cost-effective.
Applications of 6101 Busbars
6101 aluminum busbars are widely used in:
Power substations and switchgear
New energy systems: solar, wind, energy storage, inverters, battery connections
Rail transit and electric vehicles
Large industrial distribution systems
Customers choose aluminum busbars mainly because of their light weight and cost advantage, especially in renewable energy and energy storage projects where these factors are critical.
Shenzhen Chinalco Metal offer vast stock of aluminum 6101 t6 plates and busbars, and also 6101 t63, 6101 t65, 6101 t61 tempers, catering to the standard ASTM B317, contact our sales team to get the fast quote and technical support.
