In 1990, the development efforts at ALCOA's Massena Operations began with the objective to create a free machining alloy that would be comparable to a lead bearing alloy, 6262, in strength, machinability, corrosion resistance, anodizing, brazing, and welding responses while eliminating the health and environmental concerns associated with lead. The results from years of controlled experimentation was a 1996 patented and registered 6020 alloy (nominal 1.1% Sn addition) which proved all of the objectives were met and the machinability performance was enhanced over the “B” rated 6262 product. Proclaimed as the fastest growing new product in automotive and miscellaneous applications the full cold finished product line in T8, T9 and T651 tempers excel in markets where 6262, 6061, 2011 aluminum alloys and 12L14 steels are used today. The automotive applications include ABS manifolds, brake parts, A/C components, transmission valves and transmission sleeves. More recent development activities include the 6020-W product for cold impact applications such as drive shaft and steering yokes with comparable forming properties of a 6061-O starting stock. The final impacted part was designed to add value from the elimination of a post impacting thermal operation, lower residual stresses, higher strength, and superior machinability from increased machining speeds over other 6XXX series alloys.
