6063 aluminium alloy


AA 6063 is an aluminium alloy, with magnesium and silicon as the alloying elements. The standard controlling its composition is maintained by The Aluminum Association. It has generally good mechanical properties and is heat treatable and weldable. It is similar to the British aluminium alloy HE9.
6063 is the most common alloy used for aluminium extrusion. It allows complex shapes to be formed with very smooth surfaces fit for anodizing and so is popular for visible architectural applications such as window frames, door frames, roofs, and sign frames. Applications requiring higher strength typically use 6061 or 6082 instead.

Chemical composition

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

6063-O

Un-heat-treated 6063 has maximum tensile strength no more than, and no specified maximum yield strength. The material has elongation of 18%.

6063-T1

T1 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least in thicknesses up to, and from thick, and yield strength of at least in thickness up to and from thick. It has elongation of 12%.

6063-T4

6063-T5

T5 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least in thicknesses up to, and from thick, and yield strength of at least up to and from. It has elongation of 8%.

6063-T6

T6 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least and yield strength of at least. In thicknesses of 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 desired
properties.

Uses

6063 is used for architectural fabrication, window and door frames, pipe and tubing, and aluminium furniture.

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.