Every month, we get emails from buyers who are confused about aluminum grades. A recent client came to us after a failed project. They bought 1100 aluminum to build display frames because it was cheaper. The frames bent easily under weight, and the anodized finish looked terrible. If they had asked us first, we would have told them to use 6063.
Choosing the right aluminum grade saves you time, money, and headaches. In the metal market, Aluminium 1100 and Aluminium 6063 are very common, but they do completely different jobs.
- Aluminium 1100 is commercially pure aluminum (≥99% Al). It is very soft, resists corrosion extremely well, but has low strength.
- Aluminium 6063 is an alloy mixed with Magnesium and Silicon. It is strong, can be heat-treated, and is the absolute best choice for extrusion.
Chemical Composition of 1100 Aluminum Pipe and 6063 Aluminum Tube
The big difference between these two metals comes down to what is mixed into the aluminum.
| Element | 1100 Aluminum | 6063 Aluminum |
| Aluminum (Al) | ≥ 99.0% | Balance |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.95% (combined with Fe) | 0.2 – 0.6% |
| Magnesium (Mg) | – | 0.45 – 0.9% |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05 – 0.2% | ≤ 0.1% |
Supplier's Note:
Because 1100 is pure aluminum, it gives you great electrical conductivity and rust resistance. But pure aluminum is naturally soft.
In 6063, we add Magnesium and Silicon. These two elements change everything. They allow the 6063 aluminum tube to be heat-treated (like T5 or T6 tempers), which makes the metal much harder and stronger.
Strength of 1100 vs 6063 Aluminum Tubing
When it comes to mechanical properties, 6063 is the clear winner for structural support. Here is a quick look at the numbers.
| Property | 1100-H112 | 6063-T5 |
| Tensile Strength | 90 – 110 MPa | 140 – 190 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 30 – 40 MPa | 110 – 150 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 15% | 8 – 12% |
| Hardness | Very Low | Medium |
The Difference:
If you try to bend an 1100 aluminum pipe over your knee, you probably can. Its yield strength is only 30-40 MPa. This means it bends easily and stays bent.
However, a 6063-T5 extruded aluminum tubing is about 2 to 3 times stronger. It can hold heavy glass in a window frame without losing its shape.
Performance of 1100 Pure aluminum vs 6063 aluminum Pipe
- Corrosion Resistance
1100 Aluminum: Excellent. Because it has no major alloy elements, it does not react easily with chemicals. It is widely used in chemical plants and food processing.
6063 Aluminum: Good. It holds up very well in outdoor weather and rain, which is why it is used for building exteriors.
- Formability (Bending and Shaping)
1100 Aluminum: Excellent
6063 Aluminum: Average
If your design requires deep drawing, tight bending, or spinning, 1100 is your best friend. It shapes like butter without cracking. 6063 can be bent, but it requires a larger bending radius.
- Weldability
Both metals are very easy to weld using standard TIG or MIG methods. However, 1100 is a bit more stable during welding and is less likely to crack at the weld seams.
- Anodizing Performance (Surface Finish)
6063 Aluminum: Perfect for decoration
1100 Aluminum: Color might be uneven
If you want to anodize your custom 6063 aluminum profile in black, silver, or bronze, it will take the color perfectly and look very premium. 1100 can be anodized to protect it, but the final look is often dull and uneven. It is not recommended for decorative parts.
Send us your CAD drawings or project details. Our engineers at GNEE will review them for free and suggest the most cost-effective aluminum grade for you.
Extruding 6063 vs Rolling 1100 Aluminum Pipes
| Manufacturing Feature | 1100 Aluminum | 6063 Aluminum |
| Heat Treatment | Non-heat treatable (Work hardened only) | Heat treatable (Usually T5 or T6) |
| Extrusion | Poor to Average | Excellent (The #1 choice for profiles) |
| Rolling (Sheets/Foil) | Excellent | Average |
| CNC Machining | Bad (Too soft, gets sticky on the drill) | Good (Forms clean chips) |
Why is 6063 frequently extruded?
If you need a complex shape-like a heatsink with many thin fins, or a sliding door track-you must use 6063. At high temperatures, 6063 flows through the extrusion die very smoothly, allowing factories to create perfectly shaped wholesale 6063 aluminum tubes and profiles.
Should You Pick 1100 or 6063 Aluminum Pipe?
To make your purchasing decision simple, follow these rules.
Choose 1100 Aluminum if:
- You need the highest level of corrosion resistance for chemicals.
- Your project involves heavy bending, spinning, or deep drawing.
- You need excellent electrical or thermal conductivity.
- Structural strength is not important to you.
Choose 6063 Aluminum if:
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You are buying an extruded shape (profiles, square tubes, complex channels).
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Your product needs to hold weight or act as a structural frame.
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You need a beautiful, clean anodized finish for customers to see.
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You need to do basic CNC drilling or milling on the part.
1100 vs 6063 Aluminum Tube Cost
Generally speaking, the 1100 aluminum sheet price or pipe price is lower than 6063. This is because 1100 is pure aluminum. It does not require the addition of alloying elements, and it does not go through expensive heat-treating processes like aging ovens.
6063 costs slightly more. You are paying for the magnesium, the silicon, and the energy used in the T5/T6 heat treatment. However, the price difference is usually small. Because 6063 is produced in such massive quantities worldwide for the construction industry, the factory processing costs are highly optimized.
Tip for buyers: Always ask your 6063 extruded aluminum tubing supplier if the price is based on the current LME (London Metal Exchange) aluminum ingot price plus processing fees.
Conclusion
To sum it up in one sentence: Buy 1100 for high purity, chemical resistance, and extreme formability; buy 6063 for structural strength, perfect extrusion shapes, and beautiful aesthetics.
Using the wrong material will cost you production time and ruin your end product. Knowing the difference guarantees you get exactly what you pay for.
Ready to place an order?
As a leading 1100 aluminum pipe manufacturer and 6063 profile supplier, GNEE provides solutions tailored to your real-world applications.
- Custom sizes and lengths available.
- Full Mill Test Certificates (MTC) provided with every batch.
- Fast delivery for bulk wholesale orders.
Contact GNEE today for the latest LME-based prices on 1100 and 6063 aluminum products. Let's get your project moving.
