6063 aluminium alloy
Template:Short description Template:Infobox material
AA 6063 is an aluminium alloy, with magnesium and silicon as the alloying elements. The standard controlling its composition is maintained by The Aluminum Association. It has generally good mechanical properties and is heat treatable and weldable. It is similar to the British aluminium alloy HE9.
6063 is the most common alloy used for aluminium extrusion. It allows complex shapes to be formed with very smooth surfaces fit for anodizing and is popular for visible architectural applications such as window frames, door frames, roofs, and sign frames.[1] Applications requiring higher strength typically use 6061 or 6082 instead.
Chemical composition
The alloy composition of 6063 is:[2]
| Constituent element |
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| Aluminium (Al) | 97.5% | 99.35% |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45% | 0.90% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20% | 0.60% |
| Iron (Fe) | 0 | 0.35% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0 | 0.10% |
| Copper (Cu) | 0 | 0.10% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0 | 0.10% |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0 | 0.10% |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0 | 0.10% |
| Template:Grey | 0 | 0.15% total (0.05% each) |
Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties of 6063 depend greatly on the temper, or heat treatment, of the material. [2]
6063-O
Un-heat-treated 6063 has maximum tensile strength no more than Script error: No such module "convert"., and no specified maximum yield strength. The material has elongation (stretch before ultimate failure) of 18%.
6063-T1
T1 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least Script error: No such module "convert". in thicknesses up to Script error: No such module "convert"., and Script error: No such module "convert". from Script error: No such module "convert". thick, and yield strength of at least Script error: No such module "convert". in thickness up to Script error: No such module "convert". and Script error: No such module "convert". from Script error: No such module "convert". thick. It has elongation of 12%.
6063-T4
6063-T5
T5 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least Script error: No such module "convert". in thicknesses up to Script error: No such module "convert"., and Script error: No such module "convert". from Script error: No such module "convert". thick, and yield strength of at least Script error: No such module "convert". up to Script error: No such module "convert". and Script error: No such module "convert". fromScript error: No such module "convert".. It has elongation of 8%.
6063-T6
T6 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least Script error: No such module "convert". and yield strength of at least Script error: No such module "convert".. In thicknesses of Script error: No such module "convert". or less, it has elongation of 8% or more; in thicker sections, it has elongation of 10%.
Other tempers
6063 is also produced in tempers T52, T53, T54, T55, and T832, with various improved desired properties.
Uses
6063 is used for architectural fabrication, window and door frames, pipe and tubing, and aluminium furniture.[2]
Welding
6063 is highly weldable, using tungsten inert gas welding. Typically, after welding, the properties near the weld are those of 6063-0, a loss of strength of up to 30%. The material can be re-heat-treated to restore a higher temper for the whole piece.
References
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Further reading
- "Properties of Wrought Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys: 6063", Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials, Vol 2, ASM Handbook, ASM International, 1990, p. 103-104.