ALCOA 6063

Filing Code: Aluminum

Al-392

April 2005

ALCOA 6063 (Extruded Aluminum Alloy)

Alloy 6063, one of the most popular alloys in the 6000 series, provides good extrudability and a high-quality surface finish. Alloy 6063 is used in a variety of architectural applications. Chemical Composition, wt.%:
(Typical) Silicon Iron Copper Manganese Magnesium Chromium Zinc Titanium Others, each Others, total Aluminum 0.200.6 0.35 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.450.9 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.05 max 0.15 max bal Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, average, 20100 C (68212 F), 106/K (106/F) See also Table 1. 23.4 (13.0)

Mechanical Properties:
See Table 1.

Heat Treatment:
See Table 2.

Formability:
Formability and cold workability for common heat treatments are:
Rating Temper(s)

Physical Properties:
Density, kg/m3 (lb/in.3 ) Solidus temperature, C (F) Liquidus temperature, C (F) 2685 (0.097) 615 (1139) 655 (1211)

Excellent Good Fair

O T1, T4, T5, T52 T54, T6, T83

Table 1
Temper

Mechanical and Physical Property Limits

Specified section or wall thickness(a), in. Tensile strength MPa ksi Yield strength, 0.2% offset MPa ksi Elongation (b), min, in 2 in. or 4D(c), % Hardness, typical, 500 kg load, 10 mm ball, HB Shear strength, typical MPa ksi Electrical conductivity, typical, %IACS

Standard tempers(d) O All T1 0.500 0.5011.000 T4 0.500 0.5011.000 T5 0.500 0.5011.000 T52 1.000 T53 0.249 T54 0.124 0.1250.499 T55 0.124 0.1250.249 0.2500.499 T6 0.124 0.1251.000 Alcoa special tempers, extruded(e) T4S18 T53S22 T6S5 0.500 0.501 0.250 0.124 0.1251.000

131 max 117 min 110 min 131 min 124 min 152 min 145 min 152207 90145 228 min 228 min 193 min 186 min 179 min 207 min 207 min

19.0 max 17.0 min 16.0 min 19.0 min 18.0 min 22.0 min 21.0 min 22.030.0 13.021.0 33.0 min 33.0 min 28.0 min 27.0 min 26.0 min 30.0 min 30.0 min

62 min 55 min 69 min 62 min 110 min 103 min 110172 3490 207 min 207 min 159 min 152 min 145 min 172 min 172 min

9.0 min 8.0 min 10.0 min 9.0 min 16.0 min 15.0 min 16.025.0 5.013.0 30.0 min 30.0 min 23.0 min 22.0 min 21.0 min 25.0 min 25.0 min

18 12 12 14 14 8 8 8 8 8 10 8 10 12 8 10

25 42 42 60 60 60 73 73

69 97 97 117 117 117 152 152

10 14 14 17 17 17 22 22

58 50 50 55 55 55 53 53

131 min 124 min 131 min 207 min 207 min

19.0 min 18.0 min 19.0 min 30.0 min 30.0 min

62 min 55 min 69 min 172 min 172 min

9.0 min 8.0 min 10.0 min 25.0 min 25.0 min

14 14 14 8 10

42 42 42 73 73

97 97 97 152 152

14 14 14 22 22

50 50 55 53 53

(a) The thickness of the cross section from which the tension test specimen is taken determines the applicable mechanical properties. (b) For material of such dimensions that a standard test specimen cannot be obtained, or for shapes thinner than 0.062 in., the test for elongation is not required. (c) D, specimen diameter (d) The mechanical property limits for standard tempers are listed in Aluminum Standards and Data and Tempers for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products published by the Aluminum Association. (e) Alcoa special tempers are unregistered tempers for reference only and are provided by Alcoa for customer use to identify unique processing, material, or end-use application characteristics.

Table 2
Temper

Temper Designations and Definitions

Temper definition(a)

Specification Equivalents:
UNS A96063

Standard tempers F O T1 T4 T5, T52, T53, T54, T55 T6 As fabricated. There is no special control over thermal conditions, and there are no mechanical property limits. Annealed. Applies to products that are annealed to obtain the loweststrength temper. Cooled from an elevated-temperature shaping process and naturally aged(b). Solution heat-treated and naturally aged(b). Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and artificially aged(b). Solution heat treated and artificially aged(c).

General Characteristics:
Alcoa produces 6063 for use in standard architectural shapes, custom solid shapes, heat sinks, and seamless and structural tube and pipe. In the heat treated condition, alloy 6063 provides good resistance to general corrosion, including resistance to stress-corrosion cracking. It is easily welded or brazed by various commercial methods with the caution that direct contact by dissimilar metals can cause galvanic corrosion. Because 6063 is a heat treatable alloy, its strength in the T6 condition may be reduced in the weld region. Selection of an appropriate filler alloy will depend on the desired weld characteristics. Consult the producers Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for proper safety and handling precautions when using alloy 6063. Because 6063 is an alloy of choice for aesthetic applications, special packaging may be required to protect critical exposed surfaces. Alloy 6063 is not typically ink-stenciled in order to preserve its surface finish quality. If stenciling and/or special packaging is required, it should be specified to the producer at the time of quotation. Alcoa offers alloy 6063 in a variety of standard tempers, as well as special tempers developed for unique applications. Fig. 1 gives comparative characteristics of 6063 and other related alloys in a variety of conditions.

Alcoa special tempers(d) T4S18 For 6063 extrusions and finished products requiring maximum formability in the naturally aged condition that will not be heat treated to the T6 temper(e). For 6063 extrusions requiring maximum formability in the naturally aged condition. This temper is intended for use when extrusions will be formed by the customer in the naturally aged condition and subsequently aged to the T6 temper. May not meet T4 temper minimum mechanical property limits, but will meet the T6 minimum when properly aged. Test reports will state the T6 temper properties to demonstrate heat treat capabilities, but product will be supplied in the naturally aged condition(e). For 6063 extrusions where the T4 temper minimum property values are required for strength and a maximum value is required for high formability(e). For 6063 extrusions requiring good formability; meets standard 6063-T6 minimum property values.

T4S6

T53S22

T6S5

Product Forms Available:

Alcoa produces the alloy in standard architectural shapes and structural pipe and tube. Contact the producer for information on custom solid shapes and heat sinks.

(a) For further details of definitions see Aluminum Standards and Data and Tempers for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products published by the Aluminum Association. (b) Applies to products that are not cold worked after cooling from an elevated-temperature shaping process, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening may not be recognized in mechanical properties. (c) Applies to products that are not cold worked after solution heat treatment, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening may not be recognized in mechanical properties. (d) Alcoa special temper designations are unregistered tempers for reference only and are provided by Alcoa for customer use to identify unique processing, material, or end-use application characteristics. (e) The specified temper will not conform to Military, Federal, ASTM, ASME, and AMS specifications.

Applications:
Typical applications include architectural and building products; electrical components; conduit, pipe, and tube for irrigation systems; door and window frames; railings; and furniture. Alloy 6063 is often used for electrical applications in the T5, T52, and T6 conditions due to its good electrical conductivity.

Surface Finishing:
Anodizing is considered an excellent coating for the T5 and T52 tempers as a matte finish, for the T53, T54, and T6 tempers as a lustrous finish, and for the T83 temper. The most common anodizing methods are: clear anodizing, clear anodizing and color dying, and bright dipping and clear anodizing. Bright dipping and anodizing are economical alternatives to mechanically polished surfaces.

Producer:
Alcoa Engineered Products Cressona, PA 17929 (800) 233-3165 (800) 252-4646 (fax) www.alcoa.com

Machinability:
Machinability is considered fair for tempers T54, T6, and T83.

ISSN: 002-614X

Al-392B