Overview
Al6060 (AA6060) is a medium-strength, heat-treatable aluminum alloy belonging to the 6000 series aluminum family. Alloyed primarily with magnesium and silicon, Al6060 is known for its excellent extrusion characteristics, good corrosion resistance, attractive surface finish, and excellent anodizing performance.
Al6060 is widely used for architectural profiles, decorative extrusions, furniture components, transportation equipment, and lightweight structural applications. Due to its superior extrusion quality and smooth surface appearance, it is one of the preferred alloys for complex aluminum profiles and decorative anodized products.
Compared with Al6061, Al6060 offers better extrusion performance and surface quality, while Al6061 provides higher strength.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alloy Designation | AA6060 |
| Alloy Series | 6000 Series |
| Main Alloying Elements | Magnesium (Mg), Silicon (Si) |
| Material Type | Heat-Treatable Aluminum Alloy |
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Standard Forms | Extrusions, Profiles, Tubes, Bars, Rods |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.35–0.60 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.30–0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.30 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤0.10 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤0.05 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤0.15 |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤0.10 |
| Others | ≤0.15 Total |
Mechanical Properties
Typical T6 Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 145–215 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 110–160 MPa |
| Elongation | 8–14% |
| Hardness | 60–75 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 69 GPa |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 580–650°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 200–210 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 50–55% IACS |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 23.4 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 900 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Exposure | Excellent |
| Marine Environment | Good |
| Salt Spray Environment | Good |
| Industrial Environment | Excellent |
| Chemical Environment | Good |
Al6060 provides excellent corrosion resistance in most outdoor and industrial environments and is widely used in architectural applications requiring long-term durability.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| AA (USA) | AA6060 |
| EN (Europe) | EN AW-6060 |
| DIN (Germany) | AlMgSi0.5 |
| JIS (Japan) | Closest to A6063 |
| ISO | AlMgSi0.5 |
| GB/T (China) | LD31 |
| UNS | A96060 |
Available Tempers
| Temper | Description |
|---|---|
| T4 | Solution Heat Treated & Naturally Aged |
| T5 | Cooled from Extrusion & Artificially Aged |
| T6 | Solution Heat Treated & Artificially Aged |
| T66 | Enhanced Mechanical Properties |
Typical Applications
Architectural Industry
- Window Frames
- Door Frames
- Curtain Wall Systems
- Architectural Profiles
- Decorative Trim
Furniture Industry
- Furniture Frames
- Office Furniture
- Display Systems
- Shelving Components
Transportation Industry
- Vehicle Trim Components
- Lightweight Structures
- Rail Interior Systems
Electronics Industry
- Heat Sink Profiles
- Electronic Enclosures
- LED Lighting Housings
General Manufacturing
- Aluminum Extrusions
- Tubular Structures
- Mechanical Components
- Decorative Products
Machining Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Good |
| CNC Turning | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Tapping | Good |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Bending | Good |
| Welding | Good |
| TIG Welding | Good |
| MIG Welding | Good |
| Anodizing | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Extrudability
Ideal for complex and thin-wall aluminum profiles.
Outstanding Surface Finish
Produces smooth, high-quality surfaces suitable for decorative applications.
Excellent Anodizing Performance
Provides uniform and attractive anodized finishes.
Good Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
Lightweight
Offers weight reduction compared to steel and stainless steel.
Heat Treatable
Mechanical properties can be improved through aging treatments.
Limitations
Lower Strength Than Al6061
Not suitable for highly loaded structural applications.
Moderate Fatigue Strength
Less suitable for heavy-duty cyclic loading environments.
Limited Heavy Structural Use
Typically selected for appearance and extrusion quality rather than maximum strength.
Lower Machinability Than Al2011
Not ideal for high-speed precision machining.
Comparison with Other Aluminum Alloys
| Property | Al6060 | Al6061 | Al6063 | Al5052 | Al6082 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium | High | Medium | Medium-High | High |
| Extrudability | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Poor | Good |
| Surface Finish | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Weldability | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Anodizing Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Cost | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium-High |
Comparison with Common Engineering Metals
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Corrosion Resistance | Strength | Extrusion Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al6060 | 2.70 | Excellent | Medium | Excellent |
| Al6061 | 2.70 | Good | High | Good |
| Al6063 | 2.70 | Excellent | Medium | Excellent |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 7.93 | Excellent | Medium | Poor |
| Carbon Steel 1018 | 7.85 | Poor | Medium | Poor |
| Brass C360 | 8.47 | Good | Medium | Fair |
Recommended Surface Finishes
- Clear Anodizing
- Black Anodizing
- Bronze Anodizing
- Champagne Anodizing
- Color Anodizing
- Hard Anodizing
- Powder Coating
- PVDF Coating
- Brushing
- Polishing
- Sandblasting
- Laser Marking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Al6060 aluminum?
Al6060 is a heat-treatable aluminum alloy widely used for architectural and decorative extrusions due to its excellent surface finish and extrusion characteristics.
What is Al6060 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Window Frames
- Door Systems
- Curtain Walls
- Furniture Components
- Decorative Profiles
- LED Housings
Is Al6060 stronger than Al6063?
Yes, slightly.
| Property | Al6060 | Al6063 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | Up to 215 MPa | Up to 205 MPa |
| Surface Finish | Excellent | Excellent |
| Extrudability | Excellent | Excellent |
Both alloys are commonly used for architectural profiles.
What is the difference between Al6060 and Al6061?
| Property | Al6060 | Al6061 |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium | High |
| Extrusion Quality | Excellent | Good |
| Surface Finish | Excellent | Good |
| Structural Use | Medium | High |
Al6060 is preferred for architectural extrusions, while Al6061 is preferred for structural and machined components.
Is Al6060 suitable for anodizing?
Yes. Al6060 is considered one of the best aluminum alloys for decorative anodizing applications.
Can Al6060 be welded?
Yes. Al6060 offers good weldability using TIG and MIG welding processes.
Is Al6060 suitable for outdoor applications?
Yes. Its excellent corrosion resistance makes it suitable for long-term outdoor exposure.
Why is Al6060 widely used in architectural systems?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Extrusion Performance
- Attractive Surface Finish
- Good Corrosion Resistance
- Excellent Anodizing Quality
making it ideal for architectural and decorative applications.
Is Al6060 suitable for CNC machining?
Yes. Al6060 can be CNC machined effectively, although Al6061 is often preferred for high-strength precision components.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for Al6060?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Aluminum Extrusion Manufacturing
- CNC Machining
- CNC Turning
- Cutting & Fabrication
- Welding & Assembly
- Surface Finishing
- Anodizing
- Powder Coating
- Prototype Development
- Mass Production