Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 Properties
Last Updated :
6061 aluminum alloy is one of the most widely used and versatile alloys in the aluminum family. Known for its excellent weldability, formability and processability, 6061 is widely used in industries ranging from aerospace to automotive to marine engineering.
6063 aluminum alloy, while sharing some similarities with 6061, exhibits unique properties that meet the needs of specific applications, particularly in extrusion processes. Often referred to as architectural aluminum, 6063 is favored for its superior aesthetics, making it a popular choice in marine applications where both performance and visual appeal are critical.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 alloy composition
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
Alloying elements: The main alloying elements of 6061 aluminum alloy are magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si). Typical ingredients are: magnesium 0.8-1.2%, silicon 0.4-0.8%, copper 0.15-0.4%, chromium 0.04-0.35%, zinc ≤0.25%, the rest is aluminum (Al).
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
Alloying elements: The main alloying elements of 6063 aluminum alloy are also magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si). Typical ingredients are: magnesium 0.45-0.9%, silicon 0.2-0.6%, iron ≤ 0.35%, copper ≤ 0.1%, manganese ≤ 0.1 %, chromium ≤ 0.1%, zinc ≤ 0.1%, titanium ≤ 0.1%, aluminum (Al) balance.
| Element | Aluminum 6061 | Aluminum 6063 |
| Aluminum | 95.8% - 98.6% | 97.3% - 98.6% |
| Magnesium | 0.8% - 1.2% | 0.45% - 0.9% |
| Silicon | 0.4% - 0.8% | 0.2% - 0.6% |
| Copper | 0.15% - 0.4% | 0.1% max |
| Iron | 0.7% max | 0.35% max |
| Zinc | 0.25% max | 0.1% max |
| Titanium | 0.15% max | 0.1% max |
| Manganese | 0.15% max | 0.1% max |
| Chromium | 0.04% - 0.35% | 0.1% max |
| Others (each) | 0.05% max | 0.05% max |
| Others (total) | 0.15% max | 0.15% max |
| Remainder | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 Strength
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
The tensile strength is usually between 110-130MPa, depending on the specific heat treatment state.
It has high strength and is suitable for manufacturing parts requiring higher strength.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
Slightly lower strength than 6061 aluminum plate, but sufficient to meet the requirements of extrusion processing.
Mainly used for components that require extrusion processing, such as window frames, door frames, etc.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 Processability
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
It has good processing performance, is easy to cut, form, weld, etc., and is suitable for various processing techniques.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
It is suitable for extrusion processing, has good extrusion performance, and can produce components with complex shapes.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 hardness
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
6061T6 aluminum plate has higher hardness and is suitable for manufacturing parts with higher hardness requirements.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
The hardness of 6063T6 aluminum plate is slightly lower than that of 6061T6 aluminum plate, but it can still meet the needs of extrusion processing.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 Corrosion Resistance
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
It has a certain degree of corrosion resistance, especially after surface anodization treatment, the corrosion resistance is better.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
It has certain corrosion resistance, but may be slightly inferior to 6061 aluminum alloy in this regard.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 Weldability
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
It has good weldability and is suitable for various welding processes, such as MIG, TIG, etc.
There is generally not much loss in strength after welding.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
Using tungsten inert gas welding, it has high weldability.
There may be some strength loss after welding and reheat treatment is required to restore the strength of the overall part.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061 6063 application areas
Marine Grade Aluminum 6061
It is suitable for structural parts, hulls, ship plates and other parts that require high strength and corrosion resistance in ship manufacturing.
It is also widely used in the manufacturing of components requiring high strength and wear resistance in fields such as aviation, automobiles, and construction.
Marine Grade Aluminum 6063
It is often used for components that require extrusion processing, such as window frames, door frames, railway vehicle structures, etc.
It can also be used for some structural parts and decorative parts in ships, but it is less used for the manufacture of parts that need to withstand high strength requirements.
Although both 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloys have good properties, the appropriate aluminum alloy type can be selected based on specific application needs and process requirements.
Further reading: 6061 6082 Marine Aluminum Bars 6061 T6 Marine grade aluminum round tube 6061 Structural Marine grade aluminum tubing 6061 Marine Grade Aluminum Square Bar
