A Comparison of 6063 and 6061 Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloys are widely used in various industries due to their excellent properties. In this article, we will compare two popular aluminum alloys, namely 6063 and 6061, based on their composition, applications, and manufacturing processes.

1. Composition:

6063 Aluminum Alloy:

• Composition: 0.4% Si and 0.7% Mg

• Hard material strength: 295 MPa

• Soft material strength: 111 MPa

• Applications: Tubular railings, furniture, frames, and architectural extrusions

6061 Aluminum Alloy:

• Composition: 0.6% Mg, 0.25% Cu, 1.0% Mg, and 0.09% Cr

• Hard material strength: 316 MPa

• Soft material strength: 127 MPa

• Applications: Corrosion-resistant structures, heavy-duty vehicles, ships, vehicles, and furniture

2. Applications:

6063 Aluminum Alloy:

• Widely used in the construction industry for aluminum doors, windows, and curtain wall frames.

• High requirements for overall performance to ensure excellent resistance to wind pressure, assembly performance, corrosion resistance, and decorative properties.

6061 Aluminum Alloy:

• Produced using heat treatment and pre-stretching processes, resulting in high-quality aluminum alloy products.

• Although its strength may not compare to the 2XXX or 7XXX series, it offers excellent processability, welding characteristics, electroplating properties, corrosion resistance, high toughness, dimensional stability after processing, defect-free material density, easy polishing, coating, and exceptional oxidation effects.

• Applications include corrosion-resistant structures, heavy-duty vehicles, ships, vehicles, and furniture.

3. Manufacturing Processes:

6061 Aluminum Alloy:

• T6 process: It involves solution heat treatment at 530 degrees Celsius, followed by artificial aging. For sheet material, the artificial aging temperature is 160 degrees Celsius, while for rods and sheet material above 80 thickness, it is 175 degrees Celsius.

6063 Aluminum Alloy:

• T5 process: It includes air cooling and artificial aging. The T5 state has a lower deformation coefficient, making it easier to control with moderate hardness.

• T6 process: It involves water cooling, resulting in a higher deformation coefficient and greater hardness, making it more challenging to control.

Conclusion:

In summary, the 6063 and 6061 aluminum alloys differ in composition, applications, and manufacturing processes. 6063 is commonly used in the construction industry for architectural extrusions, while 6061 is known for its high-quality production through heat treatment and pre-stretching processes. Understanding these differences can help in selecting the appropriate alloy for specific applications.

Jinan Honesty Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. has large standing inventory, many types, and complete specifications. The products cover multiple grades and specifications from 1 to 8 series. The standing grades include: 1050, 1060, 1100, 2A12, 2024, 3003, 3004, 3104, 5052, 5083 , 5754, 6061, 6063, 6082, 7075, 8011, etc., quality assurance and timely delivery.