6063 Aluminum Bar
6063 aluminum rod is a common aluminum alloy material belonging to the Al-Mg-Si series. It features low alloy characteristics and is mainly used in construction, transportation, aerospace, and other fields.
6063 aluminum rod is a heat-treatable extrusion-grade aluminum alloy with good formability, weldability, and surface finish, making it a popular choice for architectural, structural, and decorative applications. It typically contains approximately 0.45–0.9% magnesium and 0.2–0.6% silicon, along with trace amounts of iron, copper, manganese, chromium, zinc, and titanium, thereby balancing strength, corrosion resistance, and anodizing performance.
6063 aluminum rod is the preferred alloy for extrusion applications where good surface finish, corrosion resistance, and moderate strength are required, especially in the fields of construction and light structural work. It also features excellent anodizing properties and ease of fabrication.
6063 aluminum is a heat-treatable strengthened aluminum alloy with high plasticity, excellent processing performance, and comprehensive properties, and is widely used in various industrial fields.
6063 aluminum alloy is a medium-strength alloy known for its excellent extrusion performance, corrosion resistance, and high-quality surface finish. Often referred to as the "architectural alloy, " it is widely used in applications where appearance, formability, and corrosion resistance are emphasized over high strength. Its applications span construction, aerospace, electrical systems, and consumer goods industries.
In addition to its mechanical properties, 6063 also possesses excellent anodizing capabilities, providing a bright and smooth surface for architectural extrusions such as window frames, railings, and curtain walls.
Characteristics of 6063 Aluminum Bar
Heat treatment strengthening
6063 aluminum bar can be strengthened through heat treatment, improving its strength and hardness. It has high impact toughness and is not sensitive to notches, making it suitable for applications requiring high strength and impact resistance.
Excellent thermoplasticity
6063 aluminum bar has outstanding thermoplasticity, allowing it to be processed into complex structures at high temperatures. It is particularly suitable for high-speed extrusion, enabling the production of complex thin-walled, hollow profiles. Its quenching temperature range is wide, and it has low quenching sensitivity, meaning that after demolding, it can be quickly cooled through water spraying or water quenching. For thinner parts (less than 6mm in thickness), air quenching can also be used.
Superior welding performance and corrosion resistance
6063 aluminum bar has good weldability, allowing for easy assembly and welding, making it suitable for complex structural components. It also has excellent corrosion resistance, especially in humid environments and outdoor applications, ensuring a long service life. This alloy has no stress corrosion cracking tendency among Al-Mg-Si alloys, making it a very reliable material.
Surface smoothness and anodizing performance
After processing, the surface of the 6063 aluminum bar is smooth, and it can undergo anodizing and coloring, which makes it widely used for decorative and aesthetic components in construction and manufacturing.
The effect of aging treatment on strength
If 6063 aluminum bar is left at room temperature for too long before undergoing aging treatment after quenching, it may affect the final strength. Therefore, to achieve the best strength performance, aging treatment should be carried out promptly after quenching.
HC Aluminum hot selling aluminum 6063 bar products
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6063 Aluminum Flat Bar
A 6063 aluminum flat bar is a rectangular piece of aluminum that is flat and has a uniform thickness. It is commonly used in architectural applications and is known for its good extrudability and surface finish.
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Aluminum Rectangular Bar 6063
Similar to the flat bar, the aluminum rectangular bar 6063 has a rectangular cross-section but is typically thicker than the flat bar. It is used in various structural applications, offering good strength and corrosion resistance.
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Aluminum Rectangular Bar 6063 T52
This designation refers to a specific temper of the 6063 aluminum rectangular bar, indicating that it has been heat-treated to achieve a certain level of strength and stability. The T52 temper is often used for applications requiring good mechanical properties and weldability.
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6063 Aluminum Flat Bar
This is another reference to the flat bar product made from 6063 aluminum alloy, emphasizing its flat shape and suitability for applications where a smooth surface is important.
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6063 Aluminum Round Bar
A 6063 aluminum round bar is a cylindrical piece of aluminum with a uniform diameter. It is often used in machining applications and can be cut, drilled, or shaped for various uses.
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6063 Aluminum Rod
An aluminum rod made from the 6063 alloy, typically used in applications requiring good corrosion resistance and moderate strength. It can be extruded or rolled and is often used in manufacturing and construction.
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6063 Aluminum Square Bar
This product has a square cross-section and is made from the 6063 aluminum alloy. It is used in a variety of structural applications and can be easily machined or fabricated into different shapes.
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6063 Aluminum T Bar
A T bar (or T-section) made from 6063 aluminum, featuring a "T" shape that provides additional strength and stability. It is commonly used in construction and framing applications.
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6063 Extruded Aluminum Bar
Refers to 6063 aluminum rod produced through an extrusion process that allows complex shapes and contours to be formed from aluminum alloys.
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TIG Welding 6063 Aluminum Filler Rod
It matches the characteristics of the base material, ensuring a strong weld and good corrosion resistance of the welded joint.
6063 aluminum rod typical mechanical properties
Temper | Tensile | Hardness | ||||
Ultimate | Yield | Elongation | Brinell | |||
KSI | MPA | KSI | MPA | % | ||
T5, T52 | 27 | 186 | 21 | 145 | 12 | 60 |
T6 | 35 | 241 | 31 | 214 | 12 | 73 |
6063 Aluminum Bar Typical chemical composition
Element | Composition % | |
Si | 0.20-0.6 | |
Fe | 0.35 | |
Cu | 0.1 | |
Mn | 0.1 | |
Mg | 0.45-0.9 | |
Cr | 0.1 | |
Ni | - | |
Zn | 0.1 | |
Ti | 0.1 | |
Other | Each | 0.05 |
Total | 0.15 | |
Al | Remainder |
6063 Aluminum Bar Physical Properties
- Density: 2.70 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³)
- Modulus of Elasticity (Young’s Modulus): ~ 69 GPa (10, 000 ksi)
- Shear Modulus: ~ 25.8 GPa (3, 740 ksi)
- Poisson’s Ratio: ≈ 0.33
- Thermal Conductivity: ~ 200 W/m·K
- Thermal Expansion: 23.5 × 10⁻⁶ /K
- Melting Range: 600 °C (1, 110 °F)
6063 Aluminum Bar Heat Treatment and Processing
- Extrudability: Excellent — 6063 is specifically developed for high-quality extrusion products, capable of producing thin-walled items with fine details.
- Weldability: Very good; commonly welded using TIG, MIG, and resistance welding without the need for pre- or post-weld heat treatment.
- Formability: In T4 temper, 6063 exhibits excellent ductility, suitable for bending, stamping, and drawing processes.
6063 Aluminum Bar Surface Treatment and Finishing
- Anodizing: Forms a smooth and uniform oxide layer, enhancing corrosion resistance and aesthetics, making it an ideal choice for architectural extrusions.
- Powder Coating/Painting: With proper surface preparation, it exhibits good adhesion and provides a durable and colorful finish.
- Mechanical Finishing: With low casting impurity content and uniform grain structure, 6063 is easy to polish and sand for fine finishing.
6063 Aluminum Bar Applications
6061 aluminum bar is used as an architectural profile, irrigation pipe, and extrusion material for vehicles, stands, furniture, elevators, fences, and other components. It is also used for different colored decorative elements in aircraft, ships, light industry, and buildings.
Architectural 6063 Aluminum Bars
6061 aluminum bar is widely used as an architectural profile due to its excellent corrosion resistance and machinability. It is commonly used in frames, brackets, curtain walls, and window and door structures. Its strength and lightweight properties make it suitable for the skeleton and support components of buildings, providing stability without adding to the building's load. Additionally, it can be anodized or painted in various colors for aesthetic decorative effects, making it widely used in modern architecture.
Vehicles
6061 aluminum bar is commonly used in the automotive industry as material for frames, chassis, and support structures, especially for lightweight designs. Its high strength and corrosion resistance make vehicles more durable while reducing fuel consumption, meeting the environmental demands of modern automotive industries. Additionally, 6061 aluminum bar is used in parts for bicycles, motorcycles, trucks, and trailers.
Stands and Furniture
In furniture manufacturing, 6061 aluminum bar is widely used for making lightweight structural furniture, such as tables, chairs, shelves, and stands. Its strength and ease of processing make the furniture sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, with the option for surface treatment or painting in various colors to meet different decorative styles. Especially for outdoor furniture, the rust and corrosion resistance of 6061 aluminum bar is crucial.
Elevators and Fences
6061 aluminum bar is used in elevator frame structures and fence production. The lightweight characteristic of aluminum is important in elevator design, reducing load and improving energy efficiency. The high tensile strength and bending resistance of 6061 aluminum bar ensure the safety and durability of elevators. As for fences, aluminum’s weather resistance makes it particularly suitable for outdoor environments. After anodizing or painting, it can provide a variety of colors to meet decorative needs.
Aircraft and Ships
In the aviation and marine industries, 6061 aluminum bar is used for fuselage frames, hull structures, support rods, masts, and other components. The high strength, corrosion resistance, and low density of 6061 aluminum make it an ideal material for lightweight structural designs, especially in parts where weight reduction is critical. Its ease of processing also simplifies the manufacturing of complex components.
Light Industry
6061 aluminum bar is widely used in the light industry, typically for manufacturing mechanical supports, frames, and mobile workstations. The corrosion resistance and strength of aluminum make it suitable for harsh factory environments, while its machinability facilitates customized manufacturing in various sizes and shapes.
Building Decorative Components
After surface treatment, 6061 aluminum bar can be used for decorative components in buildings, such as balcony railings, window frames, and curtain walls. Through anodizing, electroplating, or painting, the aluminum surface can gain corrosion resistance and wear resistance, while also displaying various color effects to enhance the aesthetics of the building.
6063 Aluminum Bar Advantages and Limitations
Advantages of 6063 Aluminum Bar
- Excellent surface quality: Supports bright anodized surfaces and smooth powder coatings.
- Good workability: Balances formability, weldability, and machinability across various manufacturing processes.
- Cost-effective: Lower alloy content than high-strength alloys, reducing material cost.
Excellent processing performance:
- Outstanding thermoplasticity, can be extruded into complex thin-walled profiles or forgings.
- High surface finish, easy to anodize and color, with strong decorative appeal.
Corrosion resistance:
Good weldability, no tendency to stress corrosion cracking, and resistant to atmospheric and chemical corrosion.
Balanced overall properties:
High impact toughness, low density (2.7 g/cm³), suitable for lightweight design.
- Corrosion resistance: Better than 6061 aluminum, suitable for marine and outdoor environments.
- Surface treatment: Easy to anodize or coat for enhanced aesthetics and durability.
- Formability: Can be extruded into complex shapes without cracking, ideal for intricate designs.
- Recyclability: Environmentally friendly, 100% recyclable.
Limitations of 6063 Aluminum Bar
- Moderate strength: Under similar temper conditions, its strength is about half that of 6061; not suitable for high-load structural applications.
- Heat-treatable alloy only: Cannot be hardened by cold working — strength depends on artificial aging cycles.
- Parking effect: If left at room temperature for too long after quenching before aging, strength may decline.
Comparison Between 6063 Aluminum Bar and 6061 Aluminum
- Strength: 6061 aluminum offers higher strength (approximately 310 MPa tensile strength in T6 temper) but has poorer formability.
- Corrosion resistance: 6063 performs better than 6061 in harsh environments.
- Applications: 6063 is suited for architectural and decorative uses, while 6061 is used for structural load-bearing components.
6063 Aluminum Bar Standards and Tempers
- Standards: ASTM B221, AMS 4156, QQ-A-200/9, and aerospace-specific AMS 4156.
- Common tempers: T4 (solution heat treated), T5/T52 (artificial aging), and T6 (peak strength).
6063 aluminum bar achieves a balance between machinability, aesthetics, and performance, making it a preferred choice for applications emphasizing formability and corrosion resistance. While its strength is lower than 6061, its excellent extrusion properties and surface quality solidify its position in the construction, electrical, and aerospace industries.
6063 Aluminum Bar FAQs
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Is 6063 aluminum stronger than 6061?
No, 6061 aluminum is generally stronger than 6063 aluminum.
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What is architectural 6063 aluminum bar?
Architectural 6063 aluminum bar refers to the 6063 alloy widely used in architectural and decorative applications, such as window frames, door frames, and ornamental parts.
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Is 6063 aluminum aircraft grade?
6063 aluminum is typically not considered aircraft grade. Aircraft-grade alloys are usually stronger alloys like 2024, 7075, or 7050, which provide the necessary strength and fatigue resistance for aerospace structures.