The difference between 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

The 6 series aluminum plate is an aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy. The representative alloys are 6061, 6063, and 6082. It is an aluminum alloy with magnesium and silicon as the main alloying elements. It can be strengthened by heat treatment (T4, T6), with medium strength and high corrosion resistance. Good welding performance, good formability and manufacturability. At present, 6061 and 6063 aluminum sheets are used in large quantities in industrial production. What is the difference between these two types of aluminum sheets?

1.Chemical composition of 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

The 6 series aluminum alloys are medium-strength heat-treatable alloys. Magnesium has a significant effect on strengthening aluminum alloys, and zinc and copper also have obvious strengthening effects on aluminum alloys.

As can be seen from the above table, 6061 aluminum plate has more alloying elements than 6063. From the content of magnesium and silicon, about 6061 aluminum plate is 30-50% more than 6063. The most direct impact is that the strength of 6061 aluminum plate  is greater than that of 6063.

2.Mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

We can see from the chemical composition that the trace element content of 6061 aluminum plate is higher than that of 6063. As a 6-series alloy with magnesium and silicon as the main elements, Mg and Si form the strengthening phase Mg2Si. The higher the content of magnesium and silicon, the greater the amount of Mg2Si, and the greater the strengthening effect of heat treatment. On the contrary, the higher the tensile strength, the higher the deformation resistance, so the plasticity of the alloy will decrease. Therefore, according to the design value of the tensile strength of the T5 profile, the content of magnesium and silicon should be fine-tuned appropriately to reduce the tensile strength to obtain better plasticity, especially for profiles with complex sections.

3.The plasticity of 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

6061-T6 is used in occasions that require a certain strength and hardness. 6063 is a representative alloy for extrusion and has good extrudability. 6063-T5 has excellent thermoplasticity, can be extruded into various profiles with complex structures (such as thin wall and hollow) at high speed or forged into forgings with complex structures. Its quenching temperature range is wide, quenching sensitivity is low, after extrusion and forging demoulding, as long as the temperature is higher than the quenching temperature. That is, it can be quenched by spraying water or piercing water.

4.Other differences are between 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

Surface treatment: The oxidation performance of 6061 and 6063 aluminum sheets is very good. The surface adhesion of 6063 aluminum plate is slightly higher than that of 6061 aluminum plate, so the oxidation ability is extremely strong.  

Machinability: Generally good, 6061 aluminum plate is better.

Corrosion resistance: generally very good, 6063 aluminum plate is slightly better.

Weldability: All can be welded, 6063 aluminum plate is slightly better.

Price: The price of the two is similar, and the current 6063 aluminum plate is slightly more expensive.

5.Application of 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

6063 aluminum alloy is mainly used in: tubular railings, furniture, frames, extruded profiles for construction

6061 aluminum alloy is mainly used in the manufacture of tubes, rods, shapes and plates for trucks, tower buildings, ships, trams, furniture, mechanical parts, precision machining, etc.

6.Summary of the difference between 6061 aluminum plate and 6063 aluminum plate

Mechanical properties include hardness, strength, ductility, plasticity, fatigue resistance, yield strength, etc. The 6063 aluminum plate is better than the 6061 aluminum plate in terms of plasticity, and can meet high precision requirements. In terms of strength and processing performance, 6061 aluminum plate is better than 6063 aluminum plate.

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