The 6xxx family in practice
6xxx alloys contain magnesium and silicon, forming Mg2Si precipitates that give them their strength through heat treatment and aging. They extrude well, accept excellent surface finishes and cover the majority of commercial extrusion demand.
Choosing between the common alloys
6063 is the architectural and general-purpose default — best finish quality, easy extrusion. 6061 trades some extrudability and finish for strength. 6005 and 6005A bridge the two for structural profiles; 6082 is the European structural workhorse. 6463 serves bright decorative finishing.
- 6063 — finishes, shapes, general purpose
- 6061 — structural strength, machining
- 6005/6005A — structural, good extrudability
- 6082 — structural, widely used internationally
- 6463 — decorative, bright finishing
Temper designations
Temper describes the mechanical state: T5 (cooled from extrusion and artificially aged) is common for 6063, while T6 (solution treated and aged) delivers higher strength in 6061 and structural alloys. The right temper depends on strength requirements and how the part is produced.
Specifying alloys in RFQs
If you know the application constraints but not the alloy, say so — suppliers routinely recommend alloy-temper combinations. What matters is describing the loads, environment and finish expectations accurately so the recommendation fits your part.