Machining
6063 is softer than 6061 and tends to give longer, gummier chips, especially in T5. Use sharp, high-rake polished tools, high speed and good lubrication; T6 machines noticeably better than T5.
Architectural and decorative rod
6063 Aluminium Rod & Round Bar
6063 round bar is the rod to choose when surface finish, anodising quality and thermal or electrical conductivity matter more than raw strength. It is softer than 6061 (typical yield about 214 MPa in T6) but extrudes with a smoother skin and takes a cleaner, more even anodised colour. Metline supplies 6063 rod in T5, T52 and T6 from small diameters to about 150 mm, cut to length and certified, to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6063 (AlMg0.7Si)
- Tempers
- O, T4, T5, T52, T6, T66
- Diameter
- about 6 – 150 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B221 · EN 755-2
What is 6063 aluminium rod?
6063 is the extrusion alloy of the 6xxx family. Its lower magnesium and silicon content (about 0.45 – 0.9 % Mg and 0.2 – 0.6 % Si) lets it be pushed through a die fast and at lower pressure, and it can be quenched by air at the press exit. The result is a rod with a smooth, uniform surface, very few die lines and a fine grain that anodises evenly in clear, bronze or black.
The trade-off is strength. 6063-T6 has a specified minimum tensile strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) under ASTM B221, against 260 MPa for extruded 6061-T6. For railings, balusters, furniture, handles, trim, lighting parts and electrical or thermal components that is usually enough, and the better finish saves polishing and rework.
Rod in 6063 is almost always extruded rather than drawn. If you need tight diameter tolerance or a bright drawn surface, ask for cold-finished or centreless-ground rod, or consider 6061 cold-finished bar for small precision parts.
6063 composition (wt %)
Limits as registered by the Aluminum Association and used in ASTM B221 and EN 573-3 (EN AW-6063, AlMg0.7Si).
| Element | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 | 0.90 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 | 0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.35 |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.10 |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
The low iron limit helps give a bright anodised finish. For decorative work, some buyers specify a tighter Fe or Mg + Si window by agreement to keep colour consistent between lots.
Mechanical properties of 6063 round bar
| Temper, size and standard | Tensile | Yield (0.2 %) | Elongation min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| O, ASTM B221 | 131 MPa / 19 ksi max. | — | 18 % |
| T4, ≤ 12.70 mm, ASTM B221 | 131 MPa / 19 ksi min. | 69 MPa / 10 ksi min. | 14 % |
| T5, ≤ 12.70 mm, ASTM B221 | 152 MPa / 22 ksi min. | 110 MPa / 16 ksi min. | 8 % |
| T5, 12.70 – 25.00 mm, ASTM B221 | 145 MPa / 21 ksi min. | 103 MPa / 15 ksi min. | 8 % |
| T52, ≤ 25.00 mm, ASTM B221 | 152 – 207 MPa (22 – 30 ksi) | 110 – 172 MPa (16 – 25 ksi) | 8 % |
| T6, ≤ 25.00 mm, ASTM B221 | 207 MPa / 30 ksi min. | 172 MPa / 25 ksi min. | 8 % |
| T6 bar, ≤ 150 mm, EN 755-2 | 215 MPa min. | 170 MPa min. | 10 % |
| Typical T5 | 186 MPa | 145 MPa | 12 % |
| Typical T6 | 241 MPa | 214 MPa | 12 % |
ASTM sizes refer to the diameter (thickness) band in the standard. Typical values are for comparison only; the mill test certificate states the results for your lot.
Physical properties (typical)
- Density
- 2.69 g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 68.9 GPa (10,000 ksi)
- Thermal conductivity
- about 209 W/m·K (T5), 200 W/m·K (T6)
- Electrical conductivity
- about 55 % IACS (T5), 53 % IACS (T6)
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- 23.4 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- about 615 – 655 °C
- Brinell hardness
- about 60 HB (T5), 73 HB (T6)
6063 tempers explained
| Temper | How it is made | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| O | Fully annealed | Bending, swaging and cold heading where maximum ductility is needed |
| T4 | Solution treated and naturally aged | Parts that will be formed and then artificially aged |
| T5 | Cooled at the press and artificially aged | General architectural rod, trim and furniture; economical |
| T52 | Cooled at the press, stress-relieved by compression, then aged | Rod with controlled, moderate strength, often for bus and electrical rod and decorative work |
| T6 | Solution treated, quenched and artificially aged | Highest standard strength for load-bearing rod and handrail parts |
| T66 | T6 route with tighter process control (EN) | European orders needing higher minimums than T6 |
T5 and T6 look identical on the rack, so state the temper clearly on the order and check it on the certificate. If a rod will be bent tightly or swaged, buy O or T4 and age it afterwards; bending T6 rod on a small radius risks cracking on the outside of the bend.
Standards and international equivalents
| System | Designation | Standard for rod and bar |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM / ASME | 6063 | ASTM B221 / ASME SB-221 (extruded bar and rod) |
| UNS | A96063 | — |
| European | EN AW-6063 (AlMg0.7Si) | EN 755-2 (properties), EN 755-3 (round bar tolerances), EN 573-3 (chemistry) |
| Germany | Werkstoff 3.3206 | DIN EN 755 |
| ISO | AlMg0.7Si | ISO 6362 series |
| Japan | A6063 | JIS H4040 |
| China | 6063 | GB/T 3191 |
| India | 63400 | IS 733 |
For architectural rod, the anodising itself is usually specified separately, for example by film thickness class and sealing quality under ISO 7599 or the Qualanod scheme. Tell us if the rod must match the colour of 6063 profiles in the same project.
6063 round bar sizes and weights
Weight per metre = 0.002113 × d² kg (d in mm, density 2.69 g/cm³). Values are theoretical; use the bar weight calculator for other sizes.
| Diameter (mm) | Approx. inch | kg per metre | kg per 3 m bar | lb per foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.24 | 0.076 | 0.23 | 0.051 |
| 8 | 0.31 | 0.135 | 0.41 | 0.091 |
| 10 | 0.39 | 0.211 | 0.63 | 0.142 |
| 12 | 0.47 | 0.304 | 0.91 | 0.204 |
| 14 | 0.55 | 0.414 | 1.24 | 0.278 |
| 16 | 0.63 | 0.541 | 1.62 | 0.363 |
| 18 | 0.71 | 0.685 | 2.05 | 0.460 |
| 20 | 0.79 | 0.845 | 2.54 | 0.568 |
| 22 | 0.87 | 1.02 | 3.07 | 0.687 |
| 25 | 0.98 | 1.32 | 3.96 | 0.887 |
| 28 | 1.10 | 1.66 | 4.97 | 1.113 |
| 30 | 1.18 | 1.90 | 5.70 | 1.278 |
| 32 | 1.26 | 2.16 | 6.49 | 1.454 |
| 35 | 1.38 | 2.59 | 7.76 | 1.739 |
| 40 | 1.57 | 3.38 | 10.14 | 2.271 |
| 45 | 1.77 | 4.28 | 12.83 | 2.875 |
| 50 | 1.97 | 5.28 | 15.85 | 3.549 |
| 55 | 2.17 | 6.39 | 19.17 | 4.295 |
| 60 | 2.36 | 7.61 | 22.82 | 5.111 |
| 65 | 2.56 | 8.93 | 26.78 | 5.998 |
| 70 | 2.76 | 10.35 | 31.06 | 6.956 |
| 75 | 2.95 | 11.88 | 35.65 | 7.986 |
| 80 | 3.15 | 13.52 | 40.56 | 9.086 |
| 90 | 3.54 | 17.11 | 51.34 | 11.499 |
| 100 | 3.94 | 21.13 | 63.38 | 14.197 |
| 110 | 4.33 | 25.56 | 76.69 | 17.178 |
| 120 | 4.72 | 30.42 | 91.27 | 20.443 |
| 130 | 5.12 | 35.70 | 107.1 | 23.993 |
| 150 | 5.91 | 47.54 | 142.6 | 31.943 |
Inch sizes, commonly ordered in T52 and T6 for US projects:
| Diameter (in) | Diameter (mm) | lb per foot | kg per metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 6.35 | 0.057 | 0.085 |
| 3/8 | 9.52 | 0.129 | 0.192 |
| 1/2 | 12.70 | 0.229 | 0.341 |
| 5/8 | 15.88 | 0.358 | 0.532 |
| 3/4 | 19.05 | 0.515 | 0.767 |
| 7/8 | 22.22 | 0.701 | 1.04 |
| 1 | 25.40 | 0.916 | 1.36 |
| 1-1/4 | 31.75 | 1.431 | 2.13 |
| 1-1/2 | 38.10 | 2.061 | 3.07 |
| 1-3/4 | 44.45 | 2.805 | 4.17 |
| 2 | 50.80 | 3.664 | 5.45 |
| 2-1/2 | 63.50 | 5.725 | 8.52 |
| 3 | 76.20 | 8.243 | 12.27 |
| 3-1/2 | 88.90 | 11.220 | 16.70 |
| 4 | 101.60 | 14.655 | 21.81 |
| 5 | 127.00 | 22.898 | 34.08 |
| 6 | 152.40 | 32.973 | 49.07 |
Lengths, finish and processing
- Standard lengths
- 3 m, 3.66 m (12 ft) and up to about 6 m
- Cut pieces
- Saw-cut to length, chamfered or deburred on request
- Surface
- Mill finish, brushed, polished, anodised (clear or colour) or powder coated
- Protection
- Interleaving, sleeves or film for visible-grade rod; export cased
Tolerances and inspection
Diameter, ovality and straightness tolerances for extruded round bar follow ANSI H35.2 on ASTM orders and EN 755-3 on EN orders. Extruded tolerances widen with diameter, so if your part uses the as-supplied diameter as a fit, specify a ground or turned bar with a fit class such as h9.
Every lot is checked for diameter, straightness, length and surface condition, and for decorative rod we also look for die lines, pick-up and handling marks under good lighting. The EN 10204 3.1 certificate lists chemical analysis and tensile results against the ordered standard.
- Diameter and ovality measured at several points along the bar
- Straightness checked on a flat table or by roll test
- Surface inspected for die lines, scratches and corrosion staining
- Hardness or conductivity checks to confirm temper on request
Machining, bending, welding and finishing
Bending
Bend in T4 or O for tight radii, then age. T5 and T6 rod bends on generous radii; use a mandrel or formed die to avoid flattening.
Welding
Readily TIG or MIG welded with ER4043 or ER5356 filler. Expect the heat-affected zone to lose much of its T6 strength.
Anodising
The main reason to choose 6063. It gives clear, uniform films and consistent colour; machine and polish before anodising.
Polishing
Mechanical and chemical brightening work well because of the fine grain and low iron.
Joining
Threads, cross-drilling and adhesive bonding are all practical; use thread inserts for repeated assembly.
Applications of 6063 rod
- Architecture: balusters, handrail posts, glazing pins, door and window hardware, curtain rods
- Furniture and interiors: chair and table legs, shelf supports, handles and display fittings
- Lighting: lamp columns, fixture stems and heat-sink pins
- Electrical: earthing and bus rods where good conductivity and moderate strength suit
- Thermal: pin-fin heat sinks and thermal blocks machined from rod
- General engineering: lightly loaded spacers, rollers and pins where finish matters
6063 rod versus 6061, 6082 and 6060
| Alloy | Typical T6 yield | Finish and anodising | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6063 | about 214 MPa | Excellent | Appearance and conductivity matter most |
| 6061 | about 276 MPa | Good | You need more strength and better machining |
| 6082 | about 280 – 310 MPa | Fair to good | Structural loads on European specifications |
| 6060 | lower than 6063 | Excellent | Very thin, decorative sections at the lowest cost |
For a fuller comparison see 6061 vs 6063.
How to order 6063 rod
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 6063-T6 round, 25 mm), shape and size, length or cut pieces, quantity, and the governing standard (ASTM B221 or EN 755-2).
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerance class, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessBars are cut to length or to blanks on request, end-marked with alloy, temper and lot number, and inspected for size, straightness and surface.
- DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and tensile results, plus the packing list; third-party inspection on request.
- ShipBundles are wrapped and packed in seaworthy wooden cases or on pallets and sent by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- ISO 7599 – Anodizing of aluminium and its alloys: method for specifying decorative and protective anodic oxidation coatings
- The Aluminum Association – Aluminum Standards and Data
6063 aluminium (aluminum) rod: frequently asked questions
Is 6063 rod weaker than 6061?
Yes. 6063-T6 has a specified minimum tensile strength of 207 MPa and yield of 172 MPa under ASTM B221, against 260 / 240 MPa for extruded 6061-T6. In return it has a smoother extruded surface, better anodising response and higher conductivity.
What is the difference between 6063-T5 and T6 rod?
T5 is cooled at the press and then aged; T6 is fully solution treated, quenched and aged. T6 is roughly a third stronger. T5 is cheaper and fine for decorative and lightly loaded parts.
What does T52 mean on 6063 bar?
T52 is cooled from the extrusion temperature, stress-relieved by a small amount of compression and then artificially aged. ASTM B221 gives it both minimum and maximum strength limits, so properties fall in a controlled band between T5 and T6.
How much does 6063 round bar weigh?
Weight per metre is about 0.002113 × d² kg with d in mm. A 20 mm rod weighs about 0.85 kg/m, a 50 mm rod about 5.28 kg/m and a 100 mm rod about 21.1 kg/m.
Can 6063 rod be anodised in colour?
Yes. 6063 is the standard alloy for decorative anodising and gives even clear, bronze, black and dyed finishes. Machine and polish before anodising, and order rod from one lot if colour match matters.
Is 6063 rod good for machining?
It machines acceptably, but it is softer than 6061 and can give long chips in T5. For heavily machined or precision parts, 6061-T6 or 2011 is easier; choose 6063 when finish or conductivity is the priority.
Need 6063 rod or round bar?
Send diameter, temper, length, finish and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
