6060 T6 aluminum tube is a heat-treatable 6xxx series alloy tube. Its chemical composition follows EN 573-3, and its mechanical properties follow EN 755-2. GNEE supplies 6060 T6 tube in 6,000 mm lengths and can quote other sizes, lengths and surface finishes on request.
GNEE shipped 6060 T6 aluminum tube to a customer in the United Arab Emirates. The order covered four sizes, all cut to 6,000 mm. This page lists what actually went out, and what we still need to confirm before we quote a new order.
What We Shipped
| Alloy and temper | Size (mm) | Length (mm) | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6060 T6 | 25 × 5 | 6,000 | Round tube (OD × wall) |
| 6060 T6 | 30 × 2.5 | 6,000 | Round tube (OD × wall) |
| 6060 T6 | 30 × 4.5 | 6,000 | Round tube (OD × wall) |
| 6060 T6 | 45 × 5 | 6,000 | Round tube (OD × wall) |
The size callout above reads outside diameter × wall thickness, which is the round tube convention. If your project needs square or rectangular tube, the callout has to be written as side × side × wall, for example 30 × 30 × 2.5 mm. Tell us which one you mean, because the tolerances and the price are not the same.
Specification Of 6060 T6 Aluminum Tube
| Item | What we can state | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy and temper | 6060 T6 | Confirmed |
| Product form | Extruded round tube | Confirm before order |
| Standard - composition and designation | EN 573-3 | Confirmed |
| Standard - mechanical properties | EN 755-2 | Confirmed |
| Standard - dimensional tolerances | Applicable EN 755 part, or EN 12020-2 for precision tube | To be named in the order |
| Standard - inspection and delivery | EN 755-1 | To confirm |
| Sizes in this shipment | 25 × 5, 30 × 2.5, 30 × 4.5, 45 × 5 mm | Confirmed |
| Length | 6,000 mm | Confirmed |
| Cutting length tolerance | Typically +10 / −0 mm, or by agreement | To confirm |
| Mechanical properties (Rm, Rp0.2, elongation) | Taken from EN 755-2 for the actual wall thickness band | Values to be quoted from the standard, not estimated |
| Chemical composition | Within EN 573-3 limits; actual heat analysis on the certificate | Confirmed |
| Surface finish | Mill finish on this order | Anodizing, powder coating and brushing available |
| Anodizing thickness | Commonly 15 µm interior, 20–25 µm for exterior coastal exposure | Per Qualanod class, to confirm |
| Mill test certificate | EN 10204 3.1 | To confirm |
| Third-party inspection | SGS, BV or TÜV can be arranged | At buyer's cost |
| NDT, eddy current, hydrostatic test | Only when the buyer specifies | Not standard |
| MOQ | Depends on size and finish | Ask sales |
| Lead time | From order confirmation; for coated tube, from finish approval | Ask sales |
| Packing | Bundled, end-capped, wrapped; wooden case on request | To confirm |
| Samples | Short pieces can be sent for evaluation | To confirm |
A note on the standards
EN 573-3 sets the chemical composition limits and how the alloy is named. EN 755-2 sets the mechanical properties, and it does so by wall thickness band - the values for a 2.5 mm wall are not the values for a 5 mm wall.
One point that often gets missed: EN 755-2 does not cover dimensional tolerances. If a purchase order only says "EN 755-2", the tolerance requirement is still open. The tolerance part has to be named separately, and it depends on the shape and the process. Seamless tube and porthole extruded tube are covered by different parts, and precision tube may fall under EN 12020-2 instead. Check the current part numbers with us before you issue the order.
Applications of 6060 T6 Aluminum Tubing
Building and structure. Window and door frames, curtain wall supports, shading structures, balustrades, handrails, light secondary frames. 6060 extrudes well into thin and complex sections, which is why it is common in architectural work.
Machinery and equipment. Machine frames, conveyor structures, guarding, jigs and fixtures, workstations. The alloy machines cleanly and takes an anodized finish without much trouble.
General fabrication. Shelving, display structures, signage frames, assembly jigs.
Low-pressure lines. Suitable for low-pressure air, water and other non-hazardous media. Not suitable for gas, steam or high-pressure service unless the design code and pressure testing are agreed in writing.
Applications of 6060 T6 Aluminum Tubes in the UAE
Three things matter on site in the Gulf, and none of them are marketing points.
Heat. Summer air temperature in the UAE regularly reaches the mid-40s °C. Aluminum keeps its room-temperature properties in that range, but the design should still use the correct temperature-derated values rather than the room-temperature figures.
Coastal salt. Sites near the coast carry salt-laden air. Mill finish 6060 will discolour and pit over time. For exterior work near the sea, specify anodizing at 20–25 µm or a qualified powder coating. This is the single most common reason for early complaints on aluminum in the region.
Bimetallic contact. Do not bolt bare aluminum straight to steel or copper without isolation. Galvanic corrosion is a well-known cause of failure on site, and it is usually a detailing problem, not a material problem.
What we can supply
Alloys. 6060, 6063, 6061, 6005A, 6082, and others on request.
Non-heat-treatable alloys. 5052 and 5083. Note that 5xxx alloys are not heat-treatable and do not have a T6 temper. They are supplied in O, H32, H34, H111 or H112. If your drawing says T6, it has to be a 6xxx alloy.
Forms. Round, square and rectangular tube; extruded porthole tube; drawn tube.
On "seamless". Seamless means there is no weld seam. Tube extruded through a porthole die has longitudinal weld seams inside the section and is not seamless, even though the outside looks clean. True seamless tube comes from extrusion followed by drawing, or from piercing. The standards, the testing and the price differ. Tell us which one your drawing requires.
How to get a quotation
Send us the following and we will come back with price, MOQ, lead time and packing:
Alloy and temper
Shape - round, square or rectangular
Size and wall thickness
Length and cutting tolerance
Quantity, in pieces or in kg
Surface finish - mill, anodized, or powder coated
Standard, including the tolerance part
Certificate requirement - EN 10204 3.1, or third-party inspection
Destination port and Incoterms
Lead time runs from order confirmation. For anodized or powder-coated tube, it runs from approval of the finish sample.
FAQ
What is 6060 T6 aluminum tube used for?
Mainly architectural sections, machine frames, light structures and general fabrication. It is chosen when you need a thin, complex extruded section with reasonable strength and corrosion resistance, not when you need maximum strength.
How does 6060 differ from 6063 and 6061?
6060 and 6063 are both architectural alloys with good extrusion and surface finish. 6061 is stronger and is used more for structural and engineering parts. 6082 is stronger again and is common in European structural work. For a strength-critical part, ask us for the EN 755-2 values side by side before you decide.
Can you supply 6060 T6 as seamless tube?
Tell us whether you need true seamless tube or porthole extruded tube. They are different products under different parts of EN 755, and they are priced differently.
Do you provide EN 10204 3.1 certificates?
We provide a mill test certificate with each lot, with the heat analysis and the mechanical test results. Confirm the certificate type you need when you send the inquiry.
What is your MOQ and lead time?
Both depend on size, alloy and surface finish. Send us the specification and we will give you firm numbers rather than a range.
Do you ship to ports other than Jebel Ali?
Yes. Tell us the destination port and the Incoterms you want us to quote.
Is 6060 T6 suitable for pressure vessels?
No. We do not supply 6060 T6 for pressure vessels or pressurised piping. For that service, ask us about 5083, 5086 or 6061 with the required PED or ASME documentation.
Contact
GNEE is an aluminum tube supplier and exporter. Send your drawing or specification list and we will reply with a quotation, MOQ, lead time and packing details.
