Why 6063 Aluminum Is So Popular With Buyers
Aluminum 6063 is a popular aluminum alloy. It is available in a variety of forms, including 6063 aluminum channels, 6063 aluminum doors and windows, and 6063 aluminum extrusions. Its main alloying elements include magnesium and silicon.
6063 Aluminum Properties
- High plasticity: 6063 aluminum has good plasticity and can be machined into a variety of complex sectional shapes.
- Corrosion resistance: it has good corrosion resistance and can maintain stable performance under a variety of environmental conditions.
- Good surface treatment: after processing the surface is smooth and clean, and easy to anodize and color.
- Light weight and high strength: Compared with other metal materials, 6063 aluminum has low density but high strength, which is suitable for buildings that need to reduce weight.
Application areas of 6063 aluminum
Construction: 6063 aluminum is widely used in the frames of architectural aluminum doors, windows, curtain walls and so on. Because of its light weight and high strength, corrosion resistance, beautiful and other characteristics. It can enhance the overall performance and appearance of the building.
Industrial manufacturing: in industry, 6063 aluminum can be extruded into various cross-sectional profiles. For example, 3030 aluminum extrusion, 4040 aluminum extrusion. They are used to build equipment frames, guards, fences, workbenches, etc.
Electronic housings and heat sinks: they are used to manufacture components such as housings and heat sinks for electronic and electrical equipment. Because 6063 aluminum has excellent heat dissipation properties, it can be used as aluminum heat sinks.
Automobile manufacturing: in the field of automobile manufacturing. 6063 aluminum is used in the manufacture of automobile body structure, chassis parts, engine radiator and other parts.
Chemical composition of 6063 aluminum
Its chemical composition mainly includes aluminum (Al) as well as other alloying elements, as shown in the table below:
| element | Element Content range（%） |
|---|---|
| aluminum（Al） | Balance |
| Silicon（Si） | 0.20～0.60（or 0.20～0.66） |
| Copper （Cu） | ≤0.10 |
| Magnesium（Mg） | 0.45～0.9（or 0.45～0.99） |
| Zinc（Zn） | ≤0.10 |
| Manganese（Mn） | ≤0.10 |
| Titanium（Ti） | ≤0.10 |
| Chromium（Cr） | ≤0.10 |
| Iron（Fe） | 0.000～0.350（individual content ≤ 0.05%, total ≤ 0.15%） |
Can 6063 aluminum be heat treated?
It is heat treatable. Heat treatment refers to heating at a certain temperature (480°C or 530°C) for a certain period of time so that the alloying elements are fully dissolved into the aluminum matrix. Cooling and aging are required after the treatment. After heat treatment 6063 aluminum may achieve a hardness of 20-40 HRB or 40-60 HRC.
Aging treatment of 6063 aluminum:
After heat treatment, 6063 aluminum is subjected to aging treatment. The aging temperature is generally between 160°C and 200°C. The specific aging time depends on the desired mechanical properties and hardness. During aging, the alloying elements are redistributed to form reinforcing phases, which increase the hardness and strength of the material.
6063 Aluminum vs 7075 Aluminum
Aluminum 6063 is widely used in many fields for its high plasticity and good corrosion resistance, but its strength is relatively low. Aluminum 7075, on the other hand, is known for its high strength, high hardness and excellent corrosion resistance, but has poor welding properties.
Below is a table comparing the 6063 and 7075 aluminum:
| Characteristics | 6063 aluminum | 7075 aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium strength | High strength, high hardness |
| Corrosion resistance | Good | Excellent (improved by addition of copper) |
| Machinability | Easily machinable, high plasticity | Average machinability, but can be strengthened by heat treatment |
| Weldability | Good | Poor, susceptible to stress corrosion cracking |
| Relatively | low density Relatively | low, but high strength, resulting in better strength-to-weight ratio |
application of aluminum 6063 VS aluminum 7075
| Application | 6063 aluminum | 7075 aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Aluminum doors, windows, curtain wall frames, etc. | Less frequently used in construction due to higher costs |
| Industry | Automated machine parts, precision machining, mold making, etc. | Aerospace, automotive engineering and other high stress structural components. |
| Transportation | Structural parts for automobiles, subway cars, doors and windows, etc. | Aircraft landing gear parts, wing girders, fuselage frames, etc. |
| Others | Electronic appliance housings, heat sinks, etc. | High-performance bicycle frames, golf club heads and other sporting goods. |
Aluminum 6063 is widely used in construction and industry due to its good workability and corrosion resistance. 7075 aluminum, on the other hand, has become the material of choice in aerospace and automotive engineering due to its high strength and excellent mechanical properties
6063 Aluminum vs. 5052 Aluminum
Aluminum 6063 has relatively low strength, but has good plasticity and toughness and is easy to machine into a variety of complex shapes. While 5052 aluminum has higher strength and hardness, while maintaining good formability and weldability.
Corrosion resistance: both have good corrosion resistance, but 5052 aluminum in the wet and corrosive environment performance is more excellent, because of its alloy composition of magnesium and chromium and other elements to help improve corrosion resistance.
Weldability: 5052 aluminum has better weldability than 6063 aluminum because it is less prone to hot cracks and other welding defects. Therefore 5052 aluminum sheet will be more popular with consumers.
6063 Aluminum vs. 5052 Aluminum in Physical properties：
| aluminum alloy grade | Hardness（HB） | strength（MPa） | yield strength（MPa） |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6063 T1 | 42 | – | 90 |
| 6063 T5 | 60 | – | 175 |
| 6063 T6 | 73 | – | 210 |
| 6063 T832 | 95 | – | 240 |
| 6063 10HW | – | about 120 | – |
| 6063 13HW | – | about 270 | – |
| 5052 H32 | – | 230-280 | 210 |
| 5052 H34 | – | 270-330 | 230-280 |
Superior performance that consumers love
The reason why 6063 aluminum is popular with consumers. It is because of its superior performance and stylish appearance. It can be used in construction more competitive than 7075 aluminum and 5052 aluminum. Therefore, people prefer 6063 aluminum as a material when decorating their houses.
Hugh aluminum offers a range of different grades of aluminum extrusion. Our 6063 aluminum window and door frames are made to last over 10 years. For more information, please email: sale@hugh-aluminum.com.
