The alpha-numeric suffixes attached to alloys, such as 6061-T6, represent . Aluminum 6063 is known as the architectural alloy, as it is commonly used in finishing applications because its the most extrudable and easily anodized. 0000014879 00000 n The billet is heated through an induction furnace and forged using a closed die process. Tags: They have a very high 99% of their average alloy composition in common. 6061 can be strengthened using the heat-treatment process, with some common tempers being 6061-T4 and 6061-T6. They share many similar properties, making it difficult for some designers to determine which is right for their purposes. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But we are surrounded by aluminum extrusions every day, at home, at From rails for industrial equipment to automotive applications to bold artistic sculptures and architectural designs, there are plenty of reasons you may want to create curved aluminum extrusions. Good corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance. Every alloy has its attributes based on its composition. 6061 aluminium alloy - Wikipedia The 6063 alloy, for example, allows 25-35% thinner walls than 6061. 6060 Aluminum and aluminium grade 6063 has similar chemical composition and processing properties, but not exactly the same. 6061 Aluminum - Know It's Properties and Uses - Ryerson 6063 aluminum is a top choice for architectural materials because of its excellent response to extrusion; it is easily formed into complex shapes, including bars and tubing. While this alloy does not differ from 6061 aluminum in many ways, its lower strength and better corrosion resistance make 6063 aluminum a better choice for extrusion projects. As a member of the 6000 series, it is primarily alloyed with magnesium and silicon. And how can one determine the best one for a specific project? exactly what you need. Often referred to as architectural aluminum, alloy 6063 has been optimized for extrudability. Aluminium 2014 has a lower melting point than 6061. This is the performance of a material when it is being milled, turned, or die-casted. For other applications, alloy 6063 is rated as follows: CHARACTERISTICS RATINGS TEMPERS Excellent -0 . Leaner alloys, such as 6060 versus 6063, or 6005A versus 6061, allow you to extrude thinner walls or more complex shapes but still obtain the same minimum mechanical properties of their comparable alloys. However, there are a few different types of aluminum that you should be aware of before making your choice. 6061 Aluminum vs. 6060 Aluminum Both 6061 aluminum and 6060 aluminum are aluminum alloys. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Find out if aluminum or stainless steel is best for retail displays. 6063 aluminum is a top choice for architectural materials, so much so that it is often referred to as architectural aluminum. This makes it the perfect material for applications where strength and corrosion resistance are important factors. Both are categorized in the 6xxx series, as they contain magnesium silicon (forming a chemical compound called magnesium silicide). 9xBV@umc 4c+Ml )`+m Since there are many beneficial alloying elements to add to aluminum metal, there are also many potential alloys that each possess their own advantages based on composition. The comparison taken in this post is based on the 6061-T6 and 6063-T6. It also offers good machinability and weldability, and is a good alloy all around. It offers slightly better corrosion resistance and a very appealing surface finish that is exceptional for anodizing. Download our aluminum spec sheet and check what Kloeckner Metals routinely stocks. Aluminum 6063 t5 vs t6,the difference between T5 and T6 in 6061,6063 It is considered one of the, Willie Mansion, 302/304, 3rd Floor, 297, Javji Dadaji Marg, Nana Chowk, Grant Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007, Car Rental WordPress Theme Copyright 2022 - thepipingmart.com, Aluminium 6060 vs 6063 Whats the Difference, 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel Price Whats the Difference, How to Melt Aluminium at Home An Overview, Advantages and Disadvantages of Plasma Arc Machining, 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel Price What, Aluminium Alloy vs Stainless Steel Whats the Difference, Advantages and Disadvantages of Using CRCA Steel, Advantages and Disadvantages of Stir Casting in Manufacturing Processes, Advantages and Disadvantages of Special Valves, Advantages and Disadvantages of Isolation Valves, Advantages and Disadvantages of Galvanized Iron Pipes, Advantages and Disadvantages of Fillet Welding. These types of forces are periodic, meaning they are repeatedly imparted on the material. Comparing 6061 vs 6063 Aluminum - Kloeckner Metals Corporation For more information, please refer to theAluminum Association. These are among the frequently asked questions about aluminum. Differences in Practice: Use Cases for 6061 vs. 6063 Aluminum As described above, alloy 6063 is more suited for architectural purposes and when corrosion resistance is an application priority. Increasing the mechanical properties has an impact on the ability to produce a thin, lightweight extrusion. Additionally, Aluminum 6063 advantages include higher corrosion resistance compared to Aluminum 6060 due to its lower magnesium content. It is widely used for trucks, tower buildings, ships, pipelines and other building applications that require strength, weldability and corrosion resistance. Miscellaneous scuba tanks, pipe fittings, hinge pins, valve and valve parts, bike frames, fire ladders, bridge components, camera lens mounts, couplings, electrical fittings and connectors, magneto parks, structural framing, base plants, and gussets. Learn About the Metals Fascinating Spelling History, Anodized vs. Powder Coat: How to Choose the Right Aluminum Finish, 6061 Aluminum: Get to Know its Properties and Uses, 9 Types of Aluminum Finishes That Will Enhance Your Product. This post has presented a comparison between 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloys based on their strength, properties, and applications. On the right, the extrusions are designed to have a profile shape to take on the higher stress of a certain area. Your alloy choice also can restrict the extrusions final shape. This is because of its chemical makeup's low concentration of other elements. Once the outer surface of the aluminum begins oxidizing, the chromium will help reinforce its passivity and decrease further creep. Previously, she was the Founder and CEO of Fraction Marketing, a marketing agency providing fractional support to scaling startups with a focus on acquisition marketing and demand generation. 6061 and 6063 aluminumdo not differ significantly. The Process in 10 Steps, Aluminum or Aluminium? However, 6063 aluminum has lower strength and better resistance to corrosion which makes it a perfect choice for extrusion projects. However, this sometimes varies due to other conditions, as 6063 has been used for bridges, and 6061 has been used for aerospace applications. Anodization is a chemical finishing process that forcefully increases the outer layer of chemically bonded oxidation. Know that there are endless ways to machine a material with endless types of tools, so this metric is far from standardized. This is a consequence of its good formability, weldability, fair corrosion resistance, and moderately high strength, which all make 6061 aluminum highly versatile. Youll typically find 6061 in the following applications: Youll typically find 6063 in the following applications: 6061 aluminum tube, aluminum sheet, aluminum bar, and aluminum plate offer high- to moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior machinability and weldability while 6063 aluminum tube offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and a fine appearance and finish. Natalie holds a MBA from Tel Aviv University with concentrations in entrepreneurship and marketing and a BA in English from UCLA. The elemental composition of aluminum 6061 is: Notably, the chemical composition breakdown shows that 6061 contains a greater amount of magnesium silicide for optimal heat treatability. These cookies do not store any personal information. Required fields are marked *. This alloy offers good relative corrosion resistance, weldability, and tensile strength. Kloeckner Metals is a full-line aluminum supplier and service center. 6063 alloy can also be machined, but it generally does not encounter these kinds of manufacturing methods as much as 6061 aluminum, since it works so well as an extrusion alloy. This alloys heat tolerance, strength and smooth surface make it a popular choice for window and door-frames, tubing, and heat sinks. Lets dive a little deeper into the different use cases for these alloys. Aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063 are two of the most common for extrusion. But defaulting to lowest price without considering how the material reacts to extruding and surface finishing can jeopardize the final product. The alloys corrosion resistance and aesthetics make it much more suited for these uses. These qualities make the 6061 aluminum a highly versatile alloy. Privacy Statement and For all products, it would have a risk of a worse . In general, youll find that 6061 has more of each alloying element than 6063. The mechanical strength and ability to withstand corrosion makes this aluminum alloy series a common choice for structural applications like solar panel racking and mounting systems, marine recreational apparatus' and medical equipment. International guidelines dictate that, for an aluminum alloy to be considered 6061, its magnesium content has to be between 0.8 and 1.2%, and its silicon content has to be between 0.4 and 0.8%. There are many rumors of how the Kloeckner dog logo originated but let our employees tell you the real Kloeckner Dog Story! It is semi-quantitative by using tooling speeds, tool lifespans, and surface characteristics to determine a machinability rating. In this article, well take a look at the differences between two popular types of aluminum 6060 and 6063 to help you decide which one is best for your project. The mechanical strength of this alloy is down to its chemical composition and response to precipitation hardening. 6061 vs 6063 Aluminum: What are the Differences? - wordpress It cannot be work hardened, but is commonly heat treated to produce tempers with a higher strength but lower ductility. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Their formability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and moderately high strength make these alloys quite versatile. This article aims to compare two of the most common alloys of aluminum that fall in the 6xxx series, 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloy. Thomas Regional are part of Thomasnet.com. A quick answer is that while 6063 is slightly better suited to the extrusion process, 6061 tends to be stronger. To make the most informed decision, work with the engineering resources at your aluminum extruder. See the table below for the percentage of alloying elements in each common alloy. Very versatility is used in a variety of industries. However, it is possible to compare the 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloysbased on their applications and usefulness. The most suitable alloy will vary depending on your application. This alloy is often used to make components for boats, firearms and medical equipment. %PDF-1.3 % Applications for Aluminum 6061 vs Aluminum 6063 Applications for 6061 Aluminum Automotive components Bicycle frames Couplers Valves Protective structures Framework 6061 vs. 7075 Aluminum: Which One To Choose for Your Projects? The main difference between 6060 and 6063 is that 6063 has a slightly higher magnesium content. 0000014857 00000 n Select From Over 500,000 Industrial Suppliers. Good workability, weldability, brazeability, and machinability. For this reason, 6061 aluminumis mostly preferred for projects that require machining procedures. On average, there is up to 3.5% greater aluminum content in the latter. Grade 6082 is the most common grade of commercial aluminium sections & plates, and T6 is the most common temper. Both 6060 aluminum and 6061 aluminum are aluminum alloys. Conditional yield strength 0.2 (MPa): 420. Due to its excellent strength over the rest of the 6xxx series alloys, 6061 aluminumis the most used aluminum alloy. This is how much a material responds in joining arrangements, for instance, when two plates are joined. 0000004782 00000 n One significant material property to factor in is that 6063and all 6xxx series alloysis heat treatable, making annealing more challenging and less repeatable when working it into complex shapes or more severe deformations. In this section, 6063 aluminumhas the lowest ultimate strength and is therefore used for extrusion projects that require plastic deformation. 6061 can be strengthened using the heat-treatment process, with some common tempers being 6061-T4 and 6061-T6. In general, 6061 features higher strength (tensile strength . While its commonly used for extrusions, its properties are especially suited for machining and computer numerical control (CNC) purposes. 6061 aluminumhas the best response to machining than 6063 aluminum. Selecting the right alloy for your application will optimize your end products design and development goals for high strength, light weight, and low cost. It is much easier to see the differences by examining what makes these alloys useful in their respective applications, namely their differing strengths. Were excited to start working with you! When an application requires a higher level of strength, most people will select 6061 over 6063. Since the aluminum 6061 and 6063 come from the 6xxxx series they share similar elemental composition and mechanical properties. This quality is often scalable and can be measured based on various scales. Both 6060-T6 aluminum and 6061-T6 aluminum are aluminum alloys. Aluminium 6061 is a hard metal that is difficult to weld. The 6063 aluminumis commonly called architectural aluminum because its widely used as a structural material. 6060 aluminum is the national standard aluminum alloy for doors and windows, while 6063 aluminum is the aviation aluminum alloy. Commons uses for aluminum include transportation components, recreation products, machinery and equipment, and consumer durables. While the ductility of aluminum makes it well-suited to bending for Extruding aluminum offers the ability to create a wide array of profiles to meet your needs, ranging from simple to complex. But which metal is more cost-effective? // --> If the alloy has a C, D, or E rating, it is recommended to protect the alloy, at least wherever there are surfaces with joints. In fact, one of the major benefits of choosing from different metals for your projects is matching material and chemical properties to specific use cases. However, if you need something with better workability or electrical conductivity properties, then aluminum 6063 might be the better option for you. Aluminum 6060 and 6063 are two popular alloys of aluminum that have distinct differences. |, Applications for the 6061 and 6063 Aluminum Alloys. Its density is the same as 6061 aluminum (2.7 g/cm3, 0.0975 lb/in3), and it can be similarly heat-treated with 6063-T6 being the most common temper. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Alloy 6063 is the most popular aluminum alloy for extrusions. For each property being compared, the top bar is 6060 aluminum and the bottom bar is 6061 aluminum. 0000001296 00000 n Kloeckner Metals is a full-line aluminum supplier and service center. Lastly, aluminum 6060 has good thermal conductivity, so it works well in heat transfer applications. 0000001934 00000 n Strength vs. Weight vs. Costs - Alexandria Industries Hear about new products and promotions. It is one of the most popular aluminum alloys and is a great general-purpose material for almost any job requiring a light-yet-tough metal. 0000016552 00000 n However, 6061 angle is the most commonly used aluminum for structural applications. By using this site, you agree to our, Top Aluminum Suppliers and Manufacturers in the USA, Different Types of Aluminum Grades (Properties and Uses), All About 6061 Aluminum (Properties, Strength and Uses), All About 7075 Aluminum (Properties, Strength and Uses), All About 5052 Aluminum (Properties, Strength and Uses), All About 2024 Aluminum (Properties, Strength and Uses), All About 6063 Aluminum (Properties, Strength and Uses), All About 3003 Aluminum (Properties, Strength and Uses), 6061 Aluminum vs. 7075 Aluminum - Differences in Properties, Strength and Uses, 6061 Aluminum vs. 5052 Aluminum - Differences in Properties, Strength and Uses, 6061 Aluminum vs. 2024 Aluminum - Differences in Properties, Strength and Uses, 3003 Aluminum vs. 6061 Aluminum - Differences in Properties, Strength and Uses, https://materialsdata.nist.gov/bitstream/handle/11115/173/Aluminum%20and%20Aluminum%20Alloys%20Davis.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y, https://www.aluminum.org/resources/industry-standards/aluminum-alloys-101, https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0633/ML063390144.pdf, https://materialsdata.nist.gov/bitstream/handle/11115/185/Understanding%20Wrought%20and%20Cast%20Al%20Alloy%20Designations.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=3, http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA6061T6, http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA6063T6, https://materialsdata.nist.gov/bitstream/handle/11115/200/Machining%20of%20Al.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y, Types of Stainless Steel and Stainless Steel Grades, Top Steel Manufacturers and Suppliers in the USA, Fish Scales Are in This Unexpected Product, The Sugary Story Behind Sweetheart Candies.