Composition

• Aluminum 6063-T5: This alloy primarily consists of aluminum, with magnesium and silicon as its major alloying elements. It also contains smaller amounts of iron, copper, manganese, chromium, zinc, and titanium.
• Aluminum 6060-T66: This alloy is similar to 6063 but typically has slightly different proportions of magnesium and silicon, optimizing it for certain properties such as extrudability and surface finish.

Mechanical Properties

• 6063-T5:
  • Tensile Strength: Approximately 140-160 MPa (20,000-23,000 psi).
  • Yield Strength: Approximately 110 MPa (16,000 psi).
  • Elongation: Typically 8-12% in 50 mm.
  • Hardness: Approximately 60 Brinell.
• 6060-T66:
  • Tensile Strength: Approximately 190-220 MPa (28,000-32,000 psi).
  • Yield Strength: Approximately 160-180 MPa (23,000-26,000 psi).
  • Elongation: Typically 8-10% in 50 mm.
  • Hardness: Approximately 75 Brinell.

Temper Designation

• 6063-T5: The "T5" temper designation means that the alloy is cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and then artificially aged. This results in medium strength and good corrosion resistance.
• 6060-T66: The "T66" temper designation indicates that the alloy is solution heat-treated and then artificially aged, resulting in higher mechanical properties compared to the T5 temper.

Applications

• 6063-T5:
  • Commonly used in architectural applications such as window frames, door frames, roofs, and sign frames.
  • Preferred for its excellent finish, making it suitable for anodizing and painting.
• 6060-T66:
  • Often used in applications requiring better mechanical properties such as higher strength and hardness compared to 6063-T5.
  • Typical uses include structural applications like ladders, scaffoldings, and other high-stress components.

Extrudability

• 6063-T5: Known for its excellent extrudability, allowing complex cross-sectional shapes to be produced easily.
• 6060-T66: Also has good extrudability but is optimized to balance extrudability with enhanced mechanical properties.

Summary

• Aluminum 6063-T5 is preferred for its ease of extrusion, excellent surface finish, and suitability for architectural applications.
• Aluminum 6060-T66 offers higher strength and hardness, making it better for structural applications where these properties are critical.

Both alloys are widely used in various industries, with their specific properties tailored to meet the demands of different applications.