6063 aluminium alloy

6063 is an aluminium alloy, with magnesium and silicon as the alloying elements. It has generally good mechanical properties and is heat treatable and weldable. It is similar to the British aluminium alloy HE9.

It is commonly produced in several heat temper grades, 6063-O, 6063-T1, 6063-T4, 6063-T5, and 6063-T6.

6063 is mostly used in extruded shapes for architecture, particularly window frames, door frames, and roofs. It is typically produced with very smooth surfaces fit for anodizing.

Basic properties

6063 has a specific gravity of 2.68 (0.097 lb/cubic inch).

Chemical composition

The alloy composition of 6063 is: [http://www.alcoa.com/adip/catalog/pdf/Extruded_Alloy_6063.pdf Alcoa Alloy 6063 datasheet] , accessed November 1, 2006]
* Silicon minimum 0.2%, maximum 0.6% by weight
* Iron no minimum, maximum 0.35%
* Copper no minimum, maximum 0.10%
* Manganese no minimum, maximum 0.10%
* Magnesium minimum 0.45%, maximum 0.9%
* Chromium no minimum, maximum 0.10%
* Zinc no minimum, maximum 0.10%
* Titanium no minimum, maximum 0.10%
* Other elements no more than 0.05% each, 0.15% total
* Remainder Aluminium

Mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of 6063 depend greatly on the temper, or heat treatment, of the material.

6063-0

Un-heat-treated 6063 (6063-0 temper) has maximum tensile strength no more than 19,000 psi, and no specified maximum yield strength. The material has elongation (stretch before ultimate failure) of 18%.

6063-T1

T1 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 17,000 psi in thicknesses up to 0.5 inch, and 16,000 psi from 0.5 to 1.0 inch thick, and yield strength of at least 9,000 psi in thickness up to 0.5 inch and 8,000 psi from 0.5 to 1.0 inch thick. It has elongation of 12%.

6063-T4

T4 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 19,000 psi in thicknesses up to 0.5 inch, and 18,000 psi from 0.5 to 1.0 inch thick, and yield strength of at least 10,000 psi up to 0.5 inch and 9,000 psi from 0.5 to 1.0 inch. It has elongation of 14%.

6063-T5

T5 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 22,000 psi in thicknesses up to 0.5 inch, and 21,000 psi from 0.5 to 1.0 inch thick, and yield strength of at least 16,000 psi up to 0.5 inch and 15,000 psi from 0.5 to 1.0 inch. It has elongation of 8%.

6063-T6

T6 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 30,000 psi and yield strength of at least 25,000 psi. In thicknesses of 0.124 inch or less, it has elongation of 8% or more; in thicker sections, it has elongation of 10%.

Other tempers

6063 is also produced in tempers T52, T53, T54, T55, and T832, with various improved properties.

Uses

6063 is used for architectural fabrication, window and door frames, pipe and tubing, and aluminium furniture. [http://www.alcoa.com/adip/catalog/pdf/Extruded_Alloy_6063.pdf Alcoa Alloy 6063 datasheet] , accessed November 1, 2006]

Welding

6063 is highly weldable, using tungsten inert gas welding. Typically, after welding, the properties near the weld are those of 6063-0, a loss of strength of up to 30%. The material can be re-heat-treated to restore a higher temper for the whole piece.

Extrusions

6063 is widely used in the production of extrusions - long constant-cross-section structural shapes produced by pushing metal through a shaped die. These include "L" and "U" shaped channels and angles.

See also

* Aluminium alloy

References