Physical & Mechanical Properties of 6063 Aluminum Alloy
6063 Aluminum Alloy Overview
6063 aluminum alloy is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si (6xxx series) aluminum alloy widely recognized for its excellent extrudability, smooth surface finish, and strong corrosion resistance. Because of these characteristics, 6063 aluminum is extensively used in architectural systems, decorative structures, transportation components, and electrical applications.
As a professional aluminum supplier, GNEE provides high-quality 6063 aluminum alloy products in multiple tempers and customized extrusion profiles.
Physical Properties of 6063 Aluminum Alloy
The physical properties of 6063 aluminum alloy make it lightweight, dimensionally stable, and thermally efficient.
Physical Properties of 6063 Aluminum
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Conductivity (20 °C) | 201 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 35% IACS |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 69 GPa |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 23.4 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ |
These properties enable 6063 aluminum to perform reliably in environments requiring heat dissipation and dimensional accuracy.
Mechanical Properties of 6063 Aluminum Alloy by Temper
The mechanical performance of 6063 aluminum alloy depends strongly on its temper condition.
Mechanical Properties of 6063 Aluminum
| Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | 130–160 | 95–120 | 10–14 | 40–55 |
| T5 | 160–200 | 125–155 | 8–12 | 60–75 |
| T6 | 190–240 | 160–200 | 8–12 | 60–80 |
Among these, 6063-T6 aluminum alloy delivers the highest strength and is commonly specified for architectural and light structural components.
Elevated-Temperature & Fatigue Performance of 6063 Aluminum Alloy
6063 aluminum alloy retains approximately 80% of its room-temperature strength at 100°C, making it suitable for moderately elevated-temperature service.
Fatigue testing shows an endurance limit of around 90 MPa at one million cycles. For cyclic or outdoor applications, engineers typically apply a safety factor of 1.5–2.0.
Extrusion Anisotropy of 6063 Aluminum Alloy
Due to the extrusion process, 6063 aluminum profiles exhibit mild anisotropy. Longitudinal tensile properties are typically 5–10% higher than transverse values.
Designers compensate for this by aligning primary load directions with the extrusion axis.
Corrosion Resistance of 6063 Aluminum Alloy
Natural Oxide Protection
6063 aluminum naturally forms a self-healing aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) layer, which provides effective protection against atmospheric corrosion. When anodized, the alloy can exceed 1,000 hours in ASTM B117 salt spray testing.
This makes 6063 aluminum alloy highly suitable for outdoor and marine-adjacent applications.
Corrosion Mitigation Measures
Saltwater environments: Use thick anodizing (15–25 µm) or epoxy coatings
Galvanic corrosion: Avoid direct contact with copper or carbon steel; use insulating barriers
Conclusion
6063 aluminum alloy offers a reliable balance of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight performance. Its stable physical and mechanical properties make it a preferred choice for architectural profiles, transportation components, and precision extrusions.
With strict quality control and global standards compliance, GNEE supplies dependable 6063 aluminum alloy materials for a wide range of engineering and decorative applications.
