Differences between 6063 and 6061 aluminum alloys

The main alloy elements of 6063 aluminum alloy are magnesium and silicon. It has excellent processability, excellent weldability, extrusion and electroplating, good corrosion resistance, toughness, easy polishing, coating, and excellent anodizing effect. It is a typically extruded alloy. 6063 is a material with good comprehensive properties, good strength, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high-temperature resistance Beautiful, etc. It is mainly used for building and industrial profiles, such as building doors, windows, and curtain walls, various industrial aluminum profile frames, mechanical equipment protective covers, machine covers, safety fences, assembly line worktables, rail transit materials, etc.

The main alloying elements of 6061 aluminum alloy are the same as 6063, and the Mg2Si phase is formed. If it contains a certain amount of manganese and chromium, it can neutralize the bad effect of iron. Sometimes a small amount of copper or zinc is added to improve the strength of the alloy without significantly reducing its corrosion resistance. There is also a small amount of copper in the conductive material to offset the adverse effects of titanium and iron on conductivity. Zirconium or titanium can refine grains and control recrystallization structure. To improve the machinability, lead and bismuth can be added. In Mg2Si, the mg / Si ratio is 1.73. In the heat treatment state, Mg2Si is solid melted in aluminum, so that the alloy has the function of artificial age hardening. 6061 requires various industrial structures with a certain strength, weldability, and high corrosion resistance, such as pipes, rods, shapes, and plates for manufacturing trucks, tower buildings, ships, trams, furniture, mechanical parts, and precision machining, which are mostly used in heavy-duty vehicles, aerospace devices, molds, and other industries.

According to the different mechanical properties of aluminum alloy, the mechanical properties of the metal profile include hardness, strength, ductility, plasticity, fatigue strength, yield strength, etc. 6063 aluminum alloy is better in plasticity than 6061 aluminum alloy, which can meet the high precision requirements. In terms of strength and processability, 6061 aluminum alloy is better than 6063 aluminum alloy.

It doesn’t mean that 6061 must be better than 6063. Specifically, we mainly depend on the use of the product. According to the certain needs of customers, we can judge whether the product is suitable for 6063 material or 6061 material. Because the price of each material is different, we should be careful in selecting materials.