AA 6063 Aluminum Alloy – Properties, Heat Treatment, and Applications
Comprehensive Technical Overview by GNEE
AA 6063 aluminum alloy is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si wrought alloy defined under the Aluminum Association (AA) standard. It is widely recognized for its excellent extrudability, good surface quality, and high corrosion resistance, making it one of the most commonly used alloys for architectural and industrial aluminum products.
As a professional aluminum manufacturer and supplier, GNEE provides AA 6063 aluminum products that comply with international standards and are suitable for a wide range of extrusion and fabrication applications.
Chemical Composition of AA 6063 Aluminum Alloy
The chemical composition of AA 6063 aluminum alloy is carefully balanced to achieve optimal extrusion performance and mechanical properties.
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 – 0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.35 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 – 0.90 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Other elements (each) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Other elements (total) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
Key Alloy Characteristics
AA 6063 aluminum alloy offers a combination of performance features that make it especially suitable for extrusion applications:
Excellent extrudability, ideal for high-precision and complex cross-section designs
Medium strength, suitable for both structural and decorative uses
High corrosion resistance, especially in atmospheric environments
Good machinability in T4 condition, with excellent surface finishing capability
These characteristics make AA 6063 particularly advantageous for architectural aluminum products.
Typical Product Forms
AA 6063 aluminum alloy is commonly manufactured into the following forms:
Extruded profiles
Aluminum tubes and pipes
Bars and rods
Wires
Forged components
GNEE supplies 6063 aluminum in various shapes and custom dimensions to meet project-specific requirements.
Typical Applications
Due to its balanced properties, AA 6063 aluminum is widely used in:
Architectural components such as windows, doors, frames, and railings
Drainage and water diversion pipes
Decorative and structural building materials
Its excellent surface finish makes it especially suitable for anodized and coated architectural products.
Physical Properties of AA 6063 Aluminum
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.71 g/cm³ |
| Elastic Modulus | 7.0 × 10³ kg/mm² |
| Shear Modulus | 2.7 × 10³ kg/mm² |
| Melting Range | 600 – 650 °C |
| Specific Heat (0–100 °C) | 0.21 cal/g·°C |
| Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C) | 23.4 × 10⁻⁶ /°C |
| Thermal Conductivity (25 °C) | 0.48 cal/cm·s·°C |
| Electrical Resistivity (20 °C) | 0.033 Ω·mm²/m |
| Electrical Conductivity | 53% IACS |
Additional Performance Characteristics
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent |
| Anodizing Quality | Excellent |
| Weldability | Good |
| Brazing Capability | Good |
| Castability | Not applicable |
| Formability | Good (especially in T4 temper) |
| Machinability | Limited |
Mechanical Properties of AA 6063 (Typical Values)
AA 6063 aluminum alloy exhibits different mechanical properties depending on the heat treatment temper.
| Temper | Yield Strength (kg/mm²) | Tensile Strength (kg/mm²) | Elongation (%) | Brinell Hardness | Shear Strength (kg/mm²) | Fatigue Strength (kg/mm²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 5.0 | 9.0 | – | 25 | 7.0 | 5.5 |
| T1 | 9.0 | 15.5 | 20 | 42 | 10.0 | 6.5 |
| T4 | 9.0 | 17.5 | 22 | – | – | – |
| T5 | 15.0 | 19.0 | 12 | 60 | 12.0 | 7.0 |
| T6 | 22.0 | 24.5 | 12 | 73 | 15.5 | 7.0 |
| T83 | 24.5 | 26.0 | 9 | 82 | 15.5 | – |
| T831 | 19.0 | 21.0 | 10 | 70 | 12.5 | – |
| T832 | 27.5 | 29.5 | 12 | 95 | 19.0 | – |
Heat Treatment of AA 6063 Aluminum
Solution Heat Treatment
Temperature: 520 ± 3 °C
Applicable tempers: T1, T4
Artificial Aging
T5: 205 ± 3 °C for 1 hour
T6 / T831 / T832: 175 ± 3 °C for 8 hours
Annealing
Temperature: 415 ± 3 °C
Time: 2–3 hours
Cooling rates after annealing also influence final mechanical properties.
Applicable Standards and Equivalents
AA 6063 aluminum alloy corresponds to multiple international standards:
AA / ASTM: 6063
JIS: 6063
Alcoa: 63S
Alcan: 50S
DIN: AlMgSi 0.5 / 3.3206
BS: H9
NF: A-GS
ISO: Al-Mg-Si
Conclusion
AA 6063 aluminum alloy is a highly versatile Al-Mg-Si heat-treatable alloy known for its superior extrusion performance, excellent corrosion resistance, and outstanding surface finish. It is widely used in architectural, decorative, and light structural applications where precision shaping and appearance are critical.
As a reliable aluminum supplier, GNEE delivers high-quality 6063 aluminum products that meet global standards, offering stable performance, customizable specifications, and professional technical support for international projects.
