6063 vs. 6061 Aluminum
Which alloy is right for your application?
4 min read
The two most common extrusion alloys — and how to choose between them.
Most extruded aluminum lands in one of two alloys. Picking the right one early saves cost, improves the finish, and avoids surprises down the line.
6063 — the architectural alloy
6063 extrudes into intricate, thin-walled profiles with an excellent surface finish, and it anodizes beautifully. It is the go-to for trim, framing, and visible architectural parts where appearance matters.
6061 — the structural alloy
6061 is stronger and better for load-bearing, machined, and welded parts. It does not extrude quite as crisply as 6063 and finishes a little less uniformly, but it carries more load.
A word on temper
Alloy is only half the story — temper (like T5 or T6) sets the final strength, and it’s locked in during the aging step of the extrusion process. Specify both the alloy and the temper your part needs.
How to choose
If appearance and fine detail lead, choose 6063. If strength and machinability lead, choose 6061. Many products use both — 6063 for visible trim, 6061 for structure. Not sure? That is exactly the kind of call our production assistance helps you make.
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