Aluminum 6063
Aluminum 6063 is a widely used aluminum alloy that has a good level of corrosion resistance, workability and weldability. The surface finish allows ease of surface treatment, therefore this type of aluminum alloy is widely used for window and door frames as well as for roof structures.
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Aluminum 6063 is defined as a medium-strength heat-treatable aluminum alloy that exhibits good extrudability, which is attributed to the fact that it is an extrusion-grade aluminum alloy. Aluminum Alloy 6000, as these alloys are categorized, is used with high magnesium silicon alloy, which enhances strength as well as corrosion and heat resistance.
This alloy is often called ‘architectural aluminum’ due to its usefulness in making building product transformations, such as window and door frames and other constructions. As for the specific elements of the alloy, it mainly contains silicon (0.2- 0.6%), magnesium (0.45- 0.9%), and other elements in much smaller quantities like iron, copper, and zinc. Unlike other structural compositions, this alloy is reasonably resistant to corrosion and can be anodized, helping it to achieve finishes that are beautiful, tough, and retained over time.
It is appropriate for use with extrusion, welding, shaping, and cutting processes. Other than being well machinable, its strong points include forming and welding thus making it suitable for structural and architectural purposes.
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Aluminum 6063 Properties
Mechanical Properties
- Tensile Strength: 90 MPa (13053 psi)
- Yield Strength: 48 MPa (6962 psi)
- Shear Strength: 69 MPa (10008 psi)
- Fatigue Strength: 55 MPa (7977 psi)
- Elastic Modulus: 70-80 GPa (10153-11603 ksi)
- Poisson's Ratio: 0.33
- Hardness: 25
Physical Properties
- Density: 2.7 g/cm³
- Melting Point: 622°C (1150°F)
Thermal Properties
- Thermal Expansion: 23.4 (10⁻⁶/°C)
- Thermal Conductivity: 218 W/mK
Electrical Properties
Good electrical conductivity, often used in electrical applications.
Post Treatments
- Heat Treatment: Treating a material with heat at 522°C (970°F) followed by water quenching.
- Aging: Dependably, this alloy also has some control over aging at T6 and T62 tempers where 177°C (350°F) for 8 hours is applied to the alloy.
- Annealing: Controlled heating and cooling for 3 hours at 413°C (775°F) which is recognized as Canmet’s standard annealing cycle.
Common Applications
- Architectural extrusions
- Manufacturing windows
- Pipe railing
- Furniture
- Stair rails
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is 6063 aluminum and what are its primary properties?
A: Among the many types of aluminum alloys, 6063 aluminum is a medium-strength alloy that is widely used in architectural applications. Some of its primary properties are with regard to its mechanical properties, high resistance to corrosion, and can be extruded into complex shapes.
Q: How does the chemical composition of 6063 aluminum come to affect its performance?
A: The main constituent elements, including the chemical composition of 6063 aluminum, comprise magnesium and silicon, which serve to improve its mechanical properties, making it a heat-treatable alloy. This gives it a welding ability and excellent corrosion characteristics.
Q: What are the common applications for 6063 aluminum?
A: 6063 aluminum is very useful for architectural applications too such as window and door frames, balustrading, and furniture. Structural applications are also common, especially those that require higher strength-to-weight ratio components.
Q: Where does 6063 aluminum stand against the other aluminum alloys in the league?
A: In comparison to other aluminum alloys, for instance 6061, 6063 aluminum is excellently extrudable and has better surface finish which gives it more application in architecture. Nevertheless, 6061 has a great advantage over 6063 in tensile strength.
Q: Is 6063 aluminum weldable?
A: 6063 aluminum has ease of welding due to its alloying elements, it is possible to weld 6063 aluminum using regular welding methods. It’s just that one should pay attention to the mechanical properties after welding in case there is some heat treatment involved.
Q: Cite the density of 6063 aluminum.
A: 6063 aluminum density range within 2.7 g/cm is approximate however, it is common in aluminium alloys. Such low density is a contributory factor to the light weight of the alloy making it suitable for many applications.
Q: How do you extrude aluminum 6063?
A: The extrusion process of 6063 aluminum is done by putting the heated aluminum alloy into a die, through which the material is pushed to form long sections that are of the cross-section of the die. This method makes it possible to manufacture a variety of complicated forms but still keep the material structure.
Q: For the aluminum 6063 which temper do we have?
A: The most common operative states that correspond to the applied mechanical characteristic are T4, T5, and T6. Thus, T6 introduces maximum strength due to heat treatment while T5 temper has been quenched only after shaping to provide certain mechanical characteristics.
Q: And how about anodizing 6063 aluminum?
A: With anodizing, the surface of 6063 aluminum Complete is enhanced since it has increased resistance to corrosion and can be afforded a range of colors. Further, this process enhances the wear properties of the material, thereby making it more useful in architecture.