Aluminum-6061-vs-6063-plate.pdf
6061 and 6063 aluminum introduction
Aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063 are mainly alloyed with silicon and magnesium since they are both members of the 6000 family. Their chemical makeup, mechanical characteristics, and fields of application still differ somewhat, nevertheless.
What is the difference between aluminum 6061 and 6063?
6061 vs 6063 chemical composition
| Composition | 6061 | 6063 | ||
| Aluminum | 95.8–98.6% | <=97.5% | ||
| Chromium | .04-.35% | <=.10% | ||
| Copper | .15-.4% | <=.10% | ||
| Iron | <=.7% | <=.35% | ||
| Magnesium | .8-1.2% | .45-.90% | ||
| Manganese | <=.15% | <=.10% | ||
| Silicon | .4-.8% | <=.2-.6% | ||
| Titanium | <=.15% | <=.10% | ||
| Zinc | <=.25% | <=.10% | ||
Comparing the heat conductivity of aluminum 6061 and 6063
The following are the main differences between Aluminum 6061 and 6063's thermal conductivity:
Conductivity of Heat
The aluminum 6061 has a watt-per-meter-kelvin of about 167 W/m·K.
The aluminum 6063 has a watt-per-meter-kelvin of about 201 W/m·K.
In brief
Because 6063 has a higher thermal conductivity than 6061, it is a superior option for heat sinks and other thermal management components-applications where effective heat dissipation is essential.
Although 6061 is still a superb heat conductor, its strength is typically more important than its thermal characteristics.
The somewhat varying alloy compositions, especially the silicon and magnesium content, are the primary cause of the variation in heat conductivity.
Aluminum Sheet/Plate Specification
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Standards | ASTM B209 / ASME SB209 |
| Type | Hot-Rolled (HR) / Cold-Rolled (CR) Sheet |
| Temper | O,H12,H14,H16,H24,H26,H32,H112,T3,T4,T6,T651 etc. |
| Thickness (mm) | 0.2 – 500 |
| Width (mm) | 100–2600 |
| Length (mm) | 500 – 10000 |
| Surface Finish | Bright, Polished, hairline, Brush, sandblast, Embossed, Etching, etc. |
| Finish | Mill Finish / Customer-Specific Finish |
| Coating Options | PVC Coated, Color Coated, Polyester, Fluorocarbon, Polyurethane, Epoxy Coating |
6061 vs 6063 aluminum strength
| Mechanical Properties | 6061 Aluminum | 6063 Aluminum | ||
| Property | T4 6061 | T6 6061 | T4 6063 | T6 6063 |
| Brinell Hardness | 65 | 95 | 46 | 73 |
| Tensile Strength | 35,000 psi | 45,000 psi | 25,000 psi | 35,000 |
| Yield Strength | 21,000 psi | 40,000 | 13,000 psi | 31,000 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 10,000 ksi | 10,000 ksi | 10,000 ksi | 10,000 ksi |
| Shear Modulus | 3,770 ksi | 3,770 ksi | 3,740 ksi | 3,740 ksi |
| Shear Strength | 24,000 psi | 30,000 psi | 16,000 psi | 22,000 |
| Anodization Reaction | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 6061 Aluminum Alloy | 6063 Aluminum Alloy | |
| Chemical composition | The main alloying elements are magnesium and silicon, and may contain small amounts of manganese, chromium, copper, zinc, titanium, zirconium, lead and bismuth. | The main alloying elements are aluminum, magnesium and silicon, with higher contents of manganese and silicon. |
| Mechanical properties | It has high strength and hardness, good plasticity, weldability, processability and medium strength. | It is relatively soft, has good ductility and processability, and also has good impact toughness and thermoplasticity. |
| tensile strength | ≥180 MPa | Relatively low, but the exact value will vary depending on the specific product and application |
| Yield Strength | ≥110 MPa | Relatively low, but the specific value will also vary according to actual conditions |
| Corrosion resistance | It has good corrosion resistance, especially in highly corrosive environments such as ocean and chemical industries. | It also has excellent corrosion resistance and is suitable for humid or slightly corrosive environments. |
| price | The specific price will fluctuate due to various factors such as market supply and demand, raw material prices, and production costs. | The price is affected by many factors. When purchasing, you need to make comprehensive considerations based on the actual situation and the supplier's quotation. |
| Application Areas | It is widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, architectural decoration, electronics, transportation and other fields where high loads need to be carried. | It is commonly used in architectural aluminum doors and windows, curtain wall frames, rail transit, industrial accessories and other fields, and has high requirements on processing performance and surface quality. |
Key Differences Between AL 6061 and AL 6063
While 6063 aluminum is preferred for its superior surface quality and resistance to corrosion, which make it perfect for architectural applications, 6061 aluminum is preferred for its great strength and adaptability, particularly in structural applications.
The melting point, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity of 6061 aluminum are all lower.
Compared to AL-T6 6063, AL 6061-T6 has a higher yield strength and fatigue strength.
Additionally, it is less resistant to corrosion than AL 6063.
Compared to AL 6061, 6063 aluminum has a higher melting point, greater thermal conductivity, and a greater heat capacity.
AL 6063 is better suited for architectural applications than AL 6061 because of its superior surface quality.
Application Difference: 6061 vs 6063 aluminum
6063 Alloy: Common Applications
Alloy 6063 is the best option if the aluminum products you're choosing will be shown or exposed to the weather. The alloy is far more appropriate for these applications due to its corrosion resistance and attractive appearance. Aluminum 6063 is generally accessible for a wide range of applications and shapes because of its extrudability.
For instance, 6063 is frequently used to make aluminum components for organizing and retail displays, such as:
T-slot quad tracks are perfect for projects that will be exposed to the elements and for framing.
T-tracks are perfect for work surfaces (like table saws) that can be moved around the track.
Z-clips are perfect for panel construction, including panel walls and outdoor signs.
For piping applications like water irrigation and other fluid systems exposed to the elements, round tubes are perfect.
Aluminum sheet for construction
Because of 6063's extrudability, it's compatible with far more shapes that require fine details, such as 90° angles and T-slot quad tracks.
6061 Alloy: Common Applications
6061 is an aluminum alloy of choice if you're using the product to bear significant weight or require guaranteed reliability and sound structures.
As a result, its extrusions are commonly found as shapes readily suited for making or adding support (e.g., legs for shelving):
Round Rods
Square Bars
Angles
How to choose aluminum 6061 vs 6063
According to the aforementioned set of analyses, there are still some performance differences between the 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloys even though they are both members of the 6000 family.
Applications requiring high strength are better suited for 6061 aluminum alloy.
6063 aluminum alloy can be chosen if a high surface effect or greater corrosion resistance is needed for the product.
