Cutting and drilling
Saw with carbide-tipped blades and lubricant; 6061 and 6082 machine more cleanly than soft 6063-T5. Deburr holes to avoid fatigue starters.
Extruded structural sections
Aluminium Angle: Equal and Unequal Leg
Aluminium angle is an L-shaped extruded section used for frames, edge trims, brackets and bracing. It is made in equal-leg and unequal-leg forms, with sharp or radiused corners, mostly in 6063 for architectural work and 6061 or 6082 for structural work. Metline supplies standard and custom angles cut to length and certified to ASTM B221, B308 or EN 755, to customers worldwide.
- Shapes
- Equal, unequal, sharp or radiused
- Alloys
- 6061 · 6063 · 6082 · 6005A
- Tempers
- T5, T6, T6511
- Standards
- ASTM B221 · B308 · EN 755
What is aluminium angle?
An angle has two legs at 90°. It is described by its outside leg lengths and its thickness, for example 50 × 50 × 5 mm for an equal angle or 75 × 50 × 6 mm for an unequal angle. Because it is open, light and easy to cut, drill and join, it is one of the most widely used aluminium sections in construction, transport and machine building.
Almost all aluminium angle is extruded: a heated billet is pushed through a steel die with an L-shaped opening, then cooled, stretched straight and aged to temper. Extrusion allows features that rolled steel angle cannot have, such as a sharp outside corner with a small inside radius, rounded leg tips, a bevelled toe, or grooves for fixings. Two broad families exist: architectural angle in 6063 with sharp corners and a fine surface for trims, and structural angle in 6061-T6 with radiused fillets and tapered or square toes, dimensioned to the Aluminum Association standard shapes.
Alloys, tempers and minimum properties
| Alloy / temper | Min. tensile | Min. yield (0.2 %) | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T5 | 150 MPa / 22 ksi | 110 MPa / 16 ksi | Fine surface, excellent for anodising | Trims, frames, edge protection, furniture |
| 6063-T6 | 205 MPa / 30 ksi | 170 MPa / 25 ksi | Stronger architectural option | Window and door framing, light structures |
| 6061-T6 | 260 MPa / 38 ksi | 240 MPa / 35 ksi | Structural strength, good weldability | Frames, brackets, trailers, platforms |
| 6082-T6 | 310 MPa / 45 ksi | 260 MPa / 38 ksi | Highest common 6xxx strength (EN) | Structural steelwork replacement, scaffolding |
| 6005A-T6 (wall ≤ 5 mm) | 255 MPa | 215 MPa | Extrudes well in thin walls | Rail, bus and solar structures |
Minimums follow ASTM B221 for 6063 and 6061 and EN 755-2 for 6082 and 6005A. EN 755-2 values vary by wall thickness: for example 6082-T6 is 310/260 MPa above 5 mm wall and slightly lower in thin walls. Typical values are higher than these minimums.
All these alloys have a density of about 2.70 g/cm³ and an elastic modulus of about 69 GPa, so stiffness is the same whichever you choose; only strength, finish and cost differ. For electrical earthing and busbar supports, 6101-T6 angle offers higher conductivity at moderate strength.
Common angle sizes and weight per metre
Weight per metre equals the cross-sectional area multiplied by the density. For an equal angle with sharp corners, the area is t × (2a − t), where a is the leg length and t the thickness. Radiused fillets add a little metal; tip radii remove a little. The table uses 2.70 g/cm³.
| Size a × a × t (mm) | Area (mm²) | Weight (kg/m) | Weight of 6 m length (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 × 20 × 2 | 76 | 0.205 | 1.23 |
| 25 × 25 × 3 | 141 | 0.381 | 2.28 |
| 30 × 30 × 3 | 171 | 0.462 | 2.77 |
| 40 × 40 × 3 | 231 | 0.624 | 3.74 |
| 40 × 40 × 4 | 304 | 0.821 | 4.92 |
| 50 × 50 × 5 | 475 | 1.282 | 7.70 |
| 60 × 60 × 6 | 684 | 1.847 | 11.08 |
| 75 × 75 × 6 | 864 | 2.333 | 14.00 |
| 80 × 80 × 8 | 1216 | 3.283 | 19.70 |
| 100 × 100 × 10 | 1900 | 5.130 | 30.78 |
Unequal angles follow the same rule: area = t × (a + b − t). For example, a 75 × 50 × 6 mm angle has an area of 714 mm² and weighs about 1.93 kg/m. Imperial angles are common too, from 1/2 × 1/2 × 1/16 in up to 8 × 8 × 1 in in the structural series. Use the angle weight calculator for any size.
Dimensional tolerances and straightness
Tolerance standards
- ASTM / ANSI
- ANSI H35.2 tolerances apply under ASTM B221 and B308
- European
- EN 755-9 (profiles): leg length, thickness, angle, straightness and twist
- Angle between legs
- Typically ±1° on standard sections; tighter by agreement
- Straightness
- Controlled by stretching after extrusion; measured over any 300 mm and total length
- Cut length
- Standard mill lengths, typically 6 m (or 12 / 20 ft), or cut to length
- Inspection
- Dimensional check, hardness or Webster test, mill certificate to EN 10204 3.1
Leg thickness tolerance depends on the circumscribing circle diameter and the wall thickness, so a thin angle with long legs has a looser absolute tolerance than a short, thick one. If your angle must fit closely against another part, give the critical dimension and its tolerance on the drawing rather than relying on the standard table.
Cutting, joining and finishing angle
Welding
MIG or TIG with ER4043 or ER5356 filler. 6061-T6 and 6082-T6 lose strength near the weld (to roughly T4 level), which design codes such as Eurocode 9 take into account.
Bolting and riveting
Use stainless or coated fasteners with insulating washers where angles meet steel, to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Bending
T6 angle bends poorly; bend in the O or T4 condition, or use generous radii. Bending around the heel distorts the legs.
Anodising
6063 gives the most uniform clear and coloured anodised finish; 6061 and 6082 anodise well but can look slightly darker.
Powder coating
All grades powder coat well after pretreatment; specify the RAL colour and coating standard (for example Qualicoat).
Applications of aluminium angle
- Building: edge trims, stair nosings, corner guards, curtain-wall and cladding sub-frames, roof edges
- Transport: truck bodies, trailer frames, bus and rail interiors, container corner strips
- Machinery: frames, guards, shelving, conveyor sides and brackets
- Marine: deck fittings, hatch frames and stiffeners, using 6061 or 6082 for corrosion resistance
- Solar and electrical: panel mounting frames, cable-tray supports and earthing strips
- DIY and furniture: shelf supports, display frames and edge protection
How to order aluminium angle
- SpecifyLeg sizes and thickness, corner type, alloy and temper, standard, length and quantity.
- FinishMill, anodised (film thickness and colour), or powder coated (RAL colour), with or without protective film.
- QuoteWe confirm size availability or die requirement, tolerances and terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectDimensions and temper checked; EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate supplied.
- ShipBundled with spacers, wrapped and packed in wooden crates for export.
References and standards
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- ASTM B308/B308M – Aluminum-Alloy 6061-T6 Standard Structural Profiles
- EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties
- EN 755-9 – Extruded profiles: tolerances on dimensions and form
- The Aluminum Association – Aluminum Design Manual
Aluminium (aluminum) angle: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 6061 and 6063 angle?
6061-T6 has more than twice the minimum yield strength of 6063-T5 and is used for structural frames and brackets. 6063 has a finer surface and anodises more uniformly, so it is chosen for trims and architectural work.
How much does aluminium angle weigh per metre?
Multiply the area by 2.70 g/cm³. A 50 × 50 × 5 mm equal angle has an area of 475 mm² and weighs about 1.28 kg/m; a 25 × 25 × 3 mm angle weighs about 0.38 kg/m.
Are angle sizes measured inside or outside?
Leg lengths are normally outside dimensions, measured from the back of the heel to the leg tip. Always confirm on the drawing, especially for custom sections.
Can I get a sharp-cornered angle?
Yes. Architectural 6063 angles are commonly extruded with a sharp outside corner and a small inside radius. Structural 6061 angles have fillet radii, which reduce stress concentration.
Can aluminium angle be welded?
Yes, 6061, 6063 and 6082 angles weld well with MIG or TIG using ER4043 or ER5356 filler. Expect lower strength in the heat-affected zone and design accordingly.
Which standard covers structural aluminium angle?
ASTM B308 covers 6061-T6 standard structural profiles, ASTM B221 covers extruded profiles generally, and in Europe EN 755-2 and EN 755-9 cover properties and tolerances.
Need aluminium angle?
Send the size, alloy, finish, length and quantity. Our team will confirm availability and quote a delivered price.
