Aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063 (AL6061/AL6063), with magnesium and silicon as their major alloying elements, are both parts of the 6000 series of alloys.
AL6061 is the most commonly used aluminum alloy in the world. When heat-treated, 6061 aluminum alloy is a great choice for general purpose uses and finds many applications in structural materials, electronics, chemical equipment, and others. This alloy features high strength, good corrosion resistance, weldability, and machinability. 6061 aluminum bars and plates are used primarily for their increased strength over other alloys in the 6000 series. It’s one of the most popular aluminum alloys and a suitable material for almost any job requiring a light-yet-tough metal. Compared to AL2024, the so-called aircraft aluminum, 2024 aluminum’s yield strength surpasses 6061 aluminum’s and should be generally selected if strength is a priority. Furthermore, AL2024 has a higher modulus of elasticity that 6061 aluminum, bearing more stress without permanently changing shape and therefore a better choice for forming applications. In terms of machinability, 6061 aluminum is one of the most popular machining alloys and therefore often preferred if machining procedures are necessary for a project.
Typical applications of 6061 Aluminum alloy include:
Shipbuilding – sailboats, yachts, marine fittings, and hardware
Automotive – truck and bus bodies, wheels and various transportation end uses, brake and hydraulic pistons
Aerospace – aircraft structures and fittings
Rail – railway car components
Home and Business – furniture, awnings, moldings, and appliance fittings
Food Service – food and beverage cans
Miscellaneous – scuba tanks, pipe fittings, hinge pins, valve and valve parts, bike frames, fire ladders, bridge components, camera lens mounts, couplings, electrical fittings and connectors, magneto parks, structural framing, base plants, and gussets.
6063 aluminum is a top choice for architectural materials because of its excellent response to extrusion; it is easily formed into complex shapes, including bars and tubing. 6063 aluminum bars and 6063 aluminum tubes offer a good surface finish for decorative finishes and resists corrosion more effectively than other 6000 series alloys due to the lack of copper in its elemental composition. While this alloy does not differ from 6061 aluminum in many ways, its lower strength and better corrosion resistance make 6063 aluminum a better choice for extrusion projects.
Typical applications of 6063 Aluminum alloy include:
Architectural – trims, framework, brackets, and structural supports
Automotive – truck frames and trailers
Home goods – aluminum furniture and recreational equipment
General construction – pipes, tubing, stair rails, window frames, door frames, roofs, and signage
Comparing 6061 to 6063 aluminum, 6061 aluminum and 6063 aluminum are both popular alloys used in extrusions for a variety of architectural, machinery, equipment, and consumer products. Both are similar in composition and mechanical properties and come in different tempers such as O (annealed), or tempered grades (e.g. T4 or T6). Their magnesium content provides increased strength, and silicon reduces their melting temperature. Their formability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and moderately high strength make these alloys quite versatile. However, even though they are from the same series of metals, there are some differences between them and factors that make each one suitable for different applications. 6061 aluminum is used in all kinds of applications ranging from electronics to welded assemblies. 6061 tubes, sheets, bars, and plates offer high- to moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior machinability and weldability while 6063 aluminum tubes offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and a fine appearance and finish.
AL6061/AL6063 tubes/pipes are offered as part of our own branded (AVIATIONEU NEW ERA) product lines.Tubes are designed to act as structural support, whereas pipes are designed to carry liquids and gases. AL6061/AL6063 tubing come in different shapes (round, square, orthogonal and others), tempers (such as T6 or T651 ), dimensions and pre cut or cut to order lenght options with the ability to be heat treated for even higher strength, all at an affordable price. Depending on the selected tubing, AVIATIONEU NEW ERA AL6061/AL6063 tubes/pipes meet different specifications including AMS 4082 and ASTM B210. For additional information, please refer to our Brief Guide on Aluminum Grades & Temper Designations, the individual product presentations or contact us.
