6060-T6 Aluminum
A 6000-series Al-Mg-Si alloy, the common extrusion alloy in Europe
Typical values for the temper in the title
6060 is the close European counterpart of 6063: an Al-Mg-Si alloy with low magnesium and silicon that extrudes very easily into thin, complex profiles. In T6 its tensile strength is about 215 MPa.
In Europe and in Israel it is the most common alloy for aluminum profiles: windows, doors, façades and decorative profiles. It anodizes to a uniform, clean finish and welds well.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 215 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 170 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 8% | |
| Hardness | 65 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 69 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 2.70 g/cm³ | |
| Machinability | 90% | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mg magnesium | 0.35–0.6 | with silicon, forms the Mg₂Si precipitates |
| Si silicon | 0.30–0.6 | part of the strengthening precipitates |
| Fe iron | 0.10–0.30 | a controlled range, for finish control |
| Zn zinc | max 0.15 | |
| Cu copper | max 0.10 | |
| Mn manganese | max 0.10 | |
| Ti titanium | max 0.10 | |
| Cr chromium | max 0.05 | |
| Others | max 0.05 each, 0.15 total | |
| Al aluminum | balance |
Common tempers
For extrusions, the temper is usually set on the extrusion line itself.
| Temper | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| T4 | naturally aged | for further forming after extrusion |
| T5 | below T6 | cooled from extrusion and aged: common for building profiles |
| T6 | Rm ≈ 215 MPa, Rp0.2 ≈ 170 MPa | maximum strength |
| T66 | slightly above T6 | a higher-strength version of T6, defined in the European standard |
Applications
- Window, door and façade profiles
- Railings, frames and light structures
- Anodized decorative profiles
- Heat sinks
- Furniture and display systems
Fabrication
Extrusion
Very easy to extrude: thin walls, complex shapes and high line speeds.
Welding and finishing
Welds well; strength drops in the heat-affected zone, as in all of the 6000 series. Excellent for anodizing, paint and powder coating.
Machining
Soft, prone to smearing and to long chips. For machined parts, 6082 or 6061 is better.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T6 | 205–240 / 170–190 MPa | Good — ER4043 | the American counterpart: a little more magnesium and strength · material page |
| 6005-T5 | 262 / 241 MPa | Good — ER4043 | for profiles under moderate load · material page |
| 6082-T6 | 310 / 260 MPa | Good — ER4043 | for high-strength structural profiles · material page |
Common mistakes
Choosing 6060 for a load-bearing structural profile
Its strength is low. For a load-bearing profile, 6005 or 6082 is better.
Ordering without a temper
T5, T6 and T66 differ in strength. The drawing should state the temper.
Machining precise parts from 6060 in quantity
Long chips and smearing hurt the finish and the cycle time.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| EN | 3.3206 |
|---|---|
| DIN | AlMgSi0.5 |
| Standards | EN 755-2 / EN 12020 |
| Forms | extrusion profile |
| Producers | Hydro · Aleris · Constellium · Alcoa |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only. For design, rely on the standard and on the mill certificate. Sources: Aluminum Association (composition), ASM and MatWeb data sheets, and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026