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Composition, Characteristics, and Properties of 6060 Aluminum Alloy
6060 aluminum alloy is a type of aluminum that contains silicon and magnesium as its main alloying elements. It can be heat treated and is known for its excellent resistance to corrosion, formability, and weldability. This alloy is particularly useful for structural applications with important surface finish, such as extruded frames for architectural elements such as windows and doors. In this blog, we will discuss the composition, applications, characteristics, and properties of 6060 aluminum in detail.
Characteristics of 6060 Aluminum
Aluminum alloy 6060 is popular due to its moderate strength, excellent cold formability, corrosion resistance, and weldability, especially in temper T4. It is frequently used for complex cross-sections and is heat-treatable. Additionally, 6060 aluminum responds well to anodizing.
Chemical Composition of 6060 Aluminum
| Chemical Composition According to EN573-3 | |
| Element | % Composition |
| Si | 0.3-0.6 |
| Fe | 0.1-0.3 |
| Cu | Max 0.1 |
| Mn | Max 0.1 |
| Mg | 0.35-0.6 |
| Zn | Max 0.15 |
| Ti | Max 0.1 |
| Cr | Max 0.05 |
| Al | Balance |
Physical Property of the 6060 Alloy
| Physical Property | Values |
| Melting Range | 585-650 °C |
| Density | 2700 Kg/m³ |
| Modulus of Elasticity | About 70 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 200-220 W/m.K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 28-34 MS/m |
| Thermal Expansion | 23.4 x10^-6 /K |
Mechanical Properties of 6060 Alloy Aluminum
| Hardness | Wall thickness | Tensile strength | Yield stress |
| Temper | |||
| HB | [mm] | Rm [MPa] | Rp0.2 [MPa] | A [%] | A50 [%] | |||
| 45 | ≤ 25 | 120 | 60 | 16 | 14 | T4 | ||
| 55 | ≤ 5 | 160 | 120 | 8 | 6 | T5 | ||
| 50 | 5 < e ≤ 25 | 140 | 100 | 8 | 6 | |||
| 65 | ≤ 5 | 190 | 150 | 8 | 6 | T6 | ||
| 60 | 5 < e ≤ 25 | 170 | 140 | 8 | 6 | |||
| 70 | ≤ 5 | 215 | 160 | 8 | 6 | T66 | ||
| 65 | 5 < e ≤ 25 | 195 | 150 | 8 | 6 | |||
(1) Four temper designations are available: T4, T5, T6, and T66.
T4 refers to a natural aging process that results in a stable condition of the material.
T5 is achieved by cooling the material from an elevated temperature forming operation and then artificially aging it.
T6 indicates that the material has undergone a solution heat treatment, quenching, and artificial aging.
T66 is achieved by cooling the material from an elevated temperature forming operation and then artificially aging it through unique control of manufacturing processes. Please note that 6060 T6/6060 t66 aluminum properties can be achieved by press quenching.
(2) The hardness values provided are for indication purposes only.
(3) If a profile has varying wall thicknesses, the properties specified for the thinnest part of the cross-section should apply to the entire profile.
Fabrication and Weldability 6060 alloy Aluminum
| Process | Performance |
| Working Ability – Cold | Good |
| Machining Ability | Acceptable |
| Welding Ability – Gas | Good |
| Welding Ability – Arc | Excellent |
| Welding Ability – Resistance | Good |
| Brazing Ability | Excellent |
| Soldering Ability | Good |
| Anodizing | Excellent |
6060 Aluminum Alloy Application Industry
Construction Industry
The industry manufactures aluminum doors and windows, curtain walls, aluminum alloy sheets, and aluminum alloy profiles.
New Energy
The new energy industry manufactures products that produce photovoltaic brackets, wind power equipment components, etc.
Electronics Industry
This industry manufactures electronic equipment casings, heat sinks, electronic component brackets, etc.
Vehicle Manufacturing
The vehicle industry manufactures products that produce automotive parts, motorcycle frames, and bicycle frames.
Indoor Furniture and Decoration
This industry manufactures furniture frames, display cabinets, interior decoration materials, etc.
Common Trade and Alternate Names of 6060 Aluminum
The 6060 aluminum alloy is commonly known by trade names such as UNS A96060, AA6060, and Al6060. It is a wrought aluminum alloy, with silicon and magnesium as its primary elements. The Aluminum Association (AA) has designated it as 6060, and it is also known as
- A96060 in UNS number
- EN AW-6060 in EU standards
- A-GS in AFNOR (French) classification
- AlMgSi in EN chemical name
FAQs
Is 6060 Aluminum Strong?
6060 aluminum is classified as a moderately strong alloy. Its mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, vary depending on the product form and temper condition. For instance, 6060-T4 has a minimum tensile strength of 120 MPa, while 6060 T5 aluminium has a minimum of 160 MPa.
What is the difference between aluminum 6060 and 6061?
The difference in hardness of aluminum alloys is due to the varying levels of Fe content present in AA 6060 and 6061 Al alloy, with AA 6060 having a higher Fe content than 6061 Al alloy.AA 6060 has a hardness of 76.8 HRF, while 6061 has a hardness of 36.2 HRF.
What is the difference between aluminum alloy 6060 and 6063?
One of the main differences between aluminum alloys 6060 and 6063 is that the latter contains a slightly higher percentage of magnesium. While it can be formed through extrusion, forging, or rolling processes, it is not typically used in casting. It cannot be work hardened, but it is often heat treated to create tempers with greater strength and lower ductility.
What is 6060 T6?
6060 T6 aluminium is an aluminum alloy that has been heat-treated and artificially aged to achieve the T6 temper, meeting standard mechanical property requirements.
Summary
Please get in touch with us if you want to learn more about 6060 aluminium alloy and other alloys. Enze provides manufacturing capabilities and value-added services for your prototyping and production needs.
