6063-T6 Aluminum
A 6000-series Al-Mg-Si alloy, the extrusion alloy of building and architecture
Typical values for the temper in the title
6063 belongs to the same family as 6061, but with less magnesium, less silicon and fewer impurities. The result is lower strength (205–240 MPa tensile in T6), but very easy extrusion into thin, complex profiles, and a particularly smooth surface.
It is the alloy of window, door and façade profiles and of railings, as well as of heat sinks. It anodizes to a uniform, clean appearance, which makes it the natural choice when appearance matters as much as strength.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 205–240 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 170–190 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 12% | |
| Hardness | 60–73 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 69.3 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 2.70 g/cm³ | |
| Machinability | 95% | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mg magnesium | 0.45–0.90 | with silicon, forms the Mg₂Si precipitates |
| Si silicon | 0.20–0.60 | part of the strengthening precipitates |
| Fe iron | max 0.35 | a low value helps the finish and even anodizing |
| Cu copper | max 0.10 | |
| Mn manganese | max 0.10 | |
| Cr chromium | max 0.10 | |
| Zn zinc | max 0.10 | |
| Ti titanium | max 0.10 | |
| 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 | Rm ≈ 172 MPa, Rp0.2 ≈ 90 MPa | naturally aged, for further forming after extrusion |
| T5 | below T6 | cooled directly from extrusion and aged: the common temper for building profiles |
| T6 | Rm ≈ 241 MPa, Rp0.2 ≈ 214 MPa | maximum strength, when the profile carries load |
Applications
- Window, door and façade profiles
- Railings, frames and light structures
- Tubes and profiles for irrigation and furniture
- Heat sinks for electronics
- Decorative anodized profiles
Fabrication
Extrusion
The easiest alloy to extrude in the 6000 series: it allows thin walls, complex shapes and high line speeds.
Machining
Relatively soft, and tends to form long chips and to smear on the tool. For machined parts in quantity, 6061 or 6082 is better, or 6262 for free machining. Sharp, positive-rake tools help.
Welding and finishing
Welds well, and strength drops in the heat-affected zone, as with 6061. Excellent, uniform anodizing; excellent for paint and powder coating.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | 310 / 276 MPa | Good — ER4043 | when more strength (310 vs about 240 MPa) and better machining are needed · material page |
| 6060-T6 | 215 / 170 MPa | Good | a close European counterpart for extrusions, slightly lower strength · material page |
| 6082-T6 | 310 / 260 MPa | Good — ER4043 | for load-bearing structural profiles · material page |
Common mistakes
Choosing 6063 for a load-bearing mechanical part
Its strength is about a quarter below that of 6061. For a structural part, 6061 or 6082 is better.
Machining precise parts from 6063 in quantity
Long chips and smearing hurt the finish and the cycle time. For machining, 6061 or 6262 is better.
Ordering "6063" without a temper
T5 and T6 differ in strength. The drawing should state the temper.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| EN | 3.3206 |
|---|---|
| DIN | AlMgSi0.5 |
| JIS | A6063 |
| Standards | ASTM B221 / EN 755-2 |
| Forms | extrusion profile · pipe |
| Producers | Hydro · Constellium · Aleris · Norsk · Alcoa · Kaiser |
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