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6061 Aluminum Plate VS Aviation Aluminum 6063

6061 and 6063 aluminum alloy are of wide application in its respectively field, that is, automobile industry and aerospace industry. The common tempers are 6061 T6, 6063 T5 and 6063 T6. What are their differences?

Chemical Composition

Alloy	Si	Fe	Cu	Mn	Mg	Si	Fe	Cu	Al
6061	0.4-0.8	0.7	0.15-0.4	0.15	0.8-1.2	0.25	0.15	0.04-0.35	remainder
6063	0.2-0.6	0.35	0.1	0.1	0.45-0.9	0.1	0.1	0.1	remainder

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

6063 t6 aluminium.jpg

As can be seen from the above table, 6061 has higher alloy content than aviation aluminum 6063. In terms of Mg and Si content, 6061 aluminum is 30-50% more than 6063. The most direct effect is that 6061 has a greater strengthening effect than 6063.

Mechanical Properties

Material	Tensile strength(MPa)	Hardness（HB）
6061-T6	310	95
6063-T5	185	60
6063-T6	230	70

As a 6xxx aluminum alloy with Mg and Si as the main elements, Mg and Siconstitute 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.

In contrast, the higher the tensile strength, the greater the deformation resistance, so the plasticity of the alloy will decrease.

Other Aspects

Surface treatment: Both 6061 an 6063 T6 aluminium have good anodizing effect. 6063 The surface adhesion of 6063 aluminum alloy is slightly higher than that of 6061 aluminum plate.

Machinability: They both has good machinability, 6061 aluminum is better.

Corrosion resistance: 6063 aluminum is better.

Weldability: Both are good, 6063 is better.

Aluminum sheet price: Aviation aluminum 6063 is slightly more expensive.