GNEE has successfully delivered custom 6061 and 6063-T6 anodized aluminum tubes to a leading electronics manufacturer in Vietnam. By providing high-precision extrusion, stable anodizing quality, and multi-size supply capabilities, GNEE is directly supporting the production of industrial fuel sensors and fleet management equipment in Southeast Asia.
Recently, GNEE partnered with a major electronics manufacturer in Vietnam to solve their supply chain issues for sensor housings.
| Project Details | Information |
| Client Location | Vietnam |
| Industry | Fuel sensors & fleet management systems |
| End Application | Connector protection tubes & sensor probe housings |
| Annual Demand | ~10 tons |
| Order Type | Multi-size, ongoing regular procurement |
The client is a well-established Vietnam-based manufacturer that exports finished electronic devices to over 60 countries globally. Their core products include:
Fuel level sensors for heavy trucks
Vehicle tracking systems (GPS/telematics)
Industrial liquid monitoring devices
Core Technical Requirements
| Item | Specification Required |
| Material | 6063-T6 and 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 12 mm and 20 mm |
| Wall Thickness | 1 mm (Tolerance ±0.1 mm) |
| Standard Length | 3000 mm |
| Surface Treatment | Anodizing (Thickness 20–25 μm) |
| Tube Type | Round aluminum tube, uniform wall |
Why These Requirements Matter
- Tight Dimensional Tolerance: The internal PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and sensor chips must slide perfectly into the tube. If the internal diameter is too small, the sensor jams. If it is too big, the components vibrate and break during truck operation.
- Smooth Inner Surface: There can be absolutely no burrs, aluminum dust, or rough extrusion lines inside the tube.
- Stable Anodized Layer: The sensors operate inside diesel fuel tanks and humid tropical environments. A thick, uniform oxide layer is the only way to prevent corrosion.
Send your technical drawings to GNEE. Our engineering team will review your specs and confirm our extrusion precision within 24 hours.
The GNEE Solution
The customer initially requested only 6061-T6 for all parts due to its strength. However, based on our expertise in surface treatment, we recommended dividing the order. We supplied 6063-T6 for the main sensor tubes because it offers a much better surface finish and more uniform anodizing results. We supplied 6061-T6 only for the high-stress mounting brackets and structural variants.
Precision Processing
- Controlled Extrusion: We used high-precision extrusion dies to keep the outer diameter and the 1mm wall thickness strictly within the ±0.1 mm tolerance limit.
- Inner Diameter Finishing: We optimized the extrusion speed and cooling process to ensure the inner walls were perfectly smooth, allowing the client's internal sensors to fit flawlessly.
- Clean Cutting and Deburring: We ensured the ends of the 3000mm tubes were cut cleanly without sharp burrs, keeping the client's assembly workers safe and preventing debris from entering the tube.
Surface Treatment for Tropical Climates
Vietnam has a hot, humid, and often coastal climate. Standard 10 μm anodizing is not enough. We applied a strict 20–25 μm anodizing layer. This uniform coating provides excellent corrosion resistance against both environmental moisture and industrial diesel fuel, ensuring a long service life for the sensors.
Contact GNEE today to discuss whether your project needs standard Type II anodizing or Type III hard anodizing for maximum protection.
Why use 6061 6063 T6 Precision Aluminum Tubes
- Lightweight Strength: Aluminum offers the durability of metal but at one-third the weight of steel. This is vital for commercial vehicles where every gram of weight matters.
- Corrosion Resistance: Raw aluminum naturally resists rust. When professionally anodized, it becomes practically immune to most atmospheric corrosion.
- Heat Dissipation: Sensors generate heat. Aluminum dissipates heat rapidly, protecting sensitive electronic chips from burning out.
- Machinability: It is very easy to cut, drill, and thread aluminum tubes during the final assembly process.
Mechanical Properties of 6061 and 6063 Aluminum Tube
| Property | 6061-T6 | 6063-T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 290 MPa | ≥ 205 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 240 MPa | ≥ 170 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 8% | ≥ 10% |
| Hardness (HB) | ~95 | ~73 |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ | 2.7 g/cm³ |
Need detailed mechanical property data for your compliance documentation? Email us now to download the full technical data sheets for our 6061 and 6063-T6 aluminum tubes.
Quality Inspection Process
- Micrometer Testing: Checking the OD, ID, and wall thickness at multiple points along the 3000mm length.
- Coating Thickness Tester: Digitally measuring the anodized layer to confirm it hit the exact 20–25 μm target.
- Visual Inspection: 100% manual check under bright lighting to ensure there were no scratches, dents, or uneven colors on the tube surface.
Supply Capability and Packaging
Shipping long aluminum tubes (3000mm) internationally requires careful handling. If packed poorly, the tubes will bend or scratch each other during the rough sea voyage.
How GNEE Packs Long Precision Tubes:
- Individual Wrapping: Tubes are bundled and wrapped in soft PE plastic film to prevent metal-to-metal friction.
- Hard Carton/Wooden Cases: The bundles are placed into custom-built, fumigation-certified wooden boxes that perfectly match the 3000mm length, leaving no room for the tubes to slide.
- Moisture Protection: Waterproof kraft paper is added to block salty ocean air.
Our Supply Strength:
- Rich annual export experience throughout Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia).
- Flexible Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for OEM manufacturers testing new product lines.
- Mixed-size container loading to help you manage cash flow and inventory.
Do you need multiple tube sizes but don't want to buy a full container of each? KNEE supports multi-size mixed orders with flexible MOQs. Send us your purchasing list for a custom quote.