In comparing 6061 vs 6063 aluminum, you’ll see 6061 aluminum and 6063 aluminum are both popular alloys used in extrusions for a variety of architectural, machinery, equipment, and consumer products. 6061 aluminum and 6063 aluminum are similar in composition and mechanical properties. Their magnesium content provides increased strength, and silicon reduces their melting temperature.
Comparing 6061 VS 6063 Aluminum
6061 aluminum is used in all kinds of applications ranging from electronics to welded assemblies. 6061 aluminum bar and 6061 aluminum plate is used primarily for its increased strength over other alloys in the 6xxx series. It’s one of the most popular aluminum alloys and a suitable material for almost any job requiring a light-yet-tough metal.
6063 aluminum is a top choice for architectural materials because of its excellent response to extrusion; it is easily formed into complex shapes, including bars and tubing. 6063 aluminum bar and 6063 aluminum tube offer a good surface finish for decorative finishes and resists corrosion more effectively than other 6xxx alloys due to the lack of copper in its elemental composition. While this alloy does not differ from 6061 aluminum in many ways, its lower strength and better corrosion resistance make 6063 aluminum a better choice for extrusion projects.
Applications of 6061 VS 6063
You’ll typically find 6061 in the following applications:
Shipbuilding – sailboats, yachts, marine fittings, and hardware
Automotive – truck and bus bodies, wheels and various transportation end uses, brake and hydraulic pistons
Aerospace – aircraft structures and fittings
Rail – railway car components
Home and Business – furniture, awnings, moldings, and appliance fittings
Food Service – food and beverage cans
Miscellaneous – scuba tanks, pipe fittings, hinge pins, valve and valve parts, bike frames, fire ladders, bridge components, camera lens mounts, couplings, electrical fittings and connectors, magneto parks, structural framing, base plants, and gussets.
You’ll typically find 6063 in the following applications:
Architectural – trims, framework, brackets, and structural supports
Automotive – truck frames and trailers
Home goods – aluminum furniture and recreational equipment
General construction – pipes, tubing, stair rails, window frames, door frames, roofs, and signage
Performance Characteristics of 6061 vs 6063 Aluminum
6061 aluminum tube, aluminum sheet, aluminum bar, and aluminum plate offer high- to moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior machinability and weldability while 6063 aluminum tube offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and a fine appearance and finish.