O
Annealed for deep bending and spinning; age afterwards if strength is needed.
Architectural-finish 6xxx alloy
6063 Aluminium Sheet & Plate
6063 is the architectural aluminium alloy: moderate strength, very smooth surfaces and an excellent, uniform response to anodising. It is best known as an extrusion alloy, and rolled 6063 sheet and plate are mainly bought to match the colour and finish of 6063 profiles, or for heat sinks and decorative panels. Metline supplies 6063 sheet and plate in O, T4, T5 and T6 to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6063 (Al-Mg-Si)
- Tempers
- O, T4, T5, T6
- Thickness
- 0.5 – 100 mm
- Strength, T6
- 241 MPa typical
What is 6063 aluminium sheet?
6063 is a lean Al-Mg-Si alloy with about 0.7 % magnesium and 0.4 % silicon and almost no copper. That simple chemistry gives a fine, clean surface, high thermal and electrical conductivity and a bright, even anodised colour. The trade-off is strength: 6063-T6 is roughly 20 – 25 % weaker than 6061-T6.
Because it extrudes so easily, more than half of all aluminium extrusions worldwide are made from 6063 or its close relative 6060. Rolled 6063 is far less common. It makes sense when a sheet or plate part must anodise to the same shade as adjacent 6063 window frames, curtain-wall mullions or shopfront sections, or when its high thermal conductivity is useful in heat-sink base plates and LED housings.
If colour matching or conductivity is not the reason for choosing 6063, other sheet alloys are usually easier to source: 5005 for anodised architectural sheet, 5052 for formed and welded sheet, and 6061 where strength matters.
6063 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 | 0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.35 |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.10 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 | 0.90 |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Registered Aluminum Association / EN 573-3 limits. The low iron and copper limits are what give 6063 its bright, uniform anodised finish.
6063 mechanical and physical properties
Typical values for comparison. Minimum values depend on the product standard and thickness and are stated on the mill certificate.
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 90 MPa | 48 MPa | about 30 % | 25 HB |
| T4 | 172 MPa | 90 MPa | about 22 % | 46 HB |
| T5 | 186 MPa | 145 MPa | about 12 % | 60 HB |
| T6 | 241 MPa | 214 MPa | about 12 % | 73 HB |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.69 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- 68.9 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 200 W/m·K (T6), about 209 W/m·K (T5)
- Electrical conductivity
- about 53 % IACS (T6)
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- 23.4 µm/m·°C
- Melting range
- about 615 – 655 °C
Tempers and specifications
T4
Solution treated and naturally aged; formable, and can be aged to T6 after forming.
T5 / T6
Artificially aged. T6 gives the highest strength; T5 is common for extrusions and suits decorative parts.
6063 sheet is not a standard ASTM B209 product, so rolled 6063 is usually ordered to GB/T 3880, to EN AW-6063 chemistry (EN 573-3) with agreed properties, or to the buyer's drawing. Extrusions are covered by ASTM B221 and EN 755. UNS designation: A96063.
6063 sheet and plate sizes
Supply range
- Sheet
- 0.5 – 6 mm
- Plate
- 6 – 100 mm, made to order
- Width × length
- 1000 × 2000, 1220 × 2440, 1250 × 2500, 1500 × 3000 mm; cut-to-size
- Surface
- Mill finish, anodising-quality surface, brushed or PE-film protected
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1250 × 2500 mm (kg) | 1500 × 3000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.34 | 4.2 | 6.1 |
| 1 | 2.69 | 8.4 | 12.1 |
| 1.5 | 4.04 | 12.6 | 18.2 |
| 2 | 5.38 | 16.8 | 24.2 |
| 3 | 8.07 | 25.2 | 36.3 |
| 4 | 10.76 | 33.6 | 48.4 |
| 5 | 13.45 | 42.0 | 60.5 |
| 6 | 16.14 | 50.4 | 72.6 |
| 8 | 21.52 | 67.2 | 96.8 |
| 10 | 26.90 | 84.1 | 121.0 |
| 12 | 32.28 | 100.9 | 145.3 |
| 20 | 53.80 | 168.1 | 242.1 |
Anodising, forming, welding and machining
Anodising
The main reason to choose 6063. Clear and colour anodising give an even, bright finish. Order anodising-quality material and specify the finish side so it is protected through processing.
Forming
Good in O and T4; T5 and T6 bend reasonably with radii of 1 – 2 × thickness in thin sheet.
Welding
Weldable by TIG and MIG with 4043 or 5356 filler. Strength in the heat-affected zone drops towards the O/T4 level.
Machining
Fair: softer than 6061 and more prone to built-up edge. Use sharp tools, high rake and lubricant.
Where 6063 sheet is used
- Architecture: infill panels, cover plates, cladding trims and closures that must match anodised 6063 window and curtain-wall profiles
- Thermal management: heat-sink base plates, LED lighting housings and electronics enclosures
- Electrical: flat conductors and connection plates where conductivity matters more than strength
- Decorative and furniture: shopfittings, signage, nameplates and furniture panels
6063 vs 6061 vs 5005 sheet
| Property | 6063-T6 | 6061-T6 | 5005-H34 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile strength | 241 MPa | 310 MPa | 160 MPa |
| Anodised appearance | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Thermal conductivity | about 200 W/m·K | about 167 W/m·K | about 200 W/m·K |
| Heat-treatable | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sheet availability | Made to order | Very wide | Wide |
For a detailed comparison see 6061 vs 6063.
How to order 6063 sheet
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 6063-T6, 3 × 1250 × 2500 mm), thickness, width and length or a drawing, quantity, and the governing standard (GB/T 3880, EN 573-3 chemistry or your drawing).
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessPlate is saw-cut or waterjet-cut to size where required, film-protected on request and inspected for dimensions and surface.
- DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and mechanical results, plus the packing list; third-party inspection can be arranged.
- ShipSeaworthy wooden cases or fumigated pallets, dispatched by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- GB/T 3880 – Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy plates, sheets and strips for general engineering
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys
6063 aluminium (aluminum) sheet: FAQ
Is 6063 available as sheet?
Yes, but it is mainly an extrusion alloy, so sheet and plate are usually made to order rather than held as standard stock.
Is 6063 stronger than 6061?
No. 6063-T6 typically reaches 241 MPa tensile against 310 MPa for 6061-T6. 6063 is chosen for finish and conductivity, not strength.
Why use 6063 sheet instead of 5005?
Mainly to match the anodised colour of 6063 extrusions in the same assembly, or when the part must be heat-treated for strength.
Can 6063 sheet be welded?
Yes, with 4043 or 5356 filler by TIG or MIG. The weld zone loses some strength compared with T5 or T6 parent metal.
What does 6063 sheet weigh?
About 2.69 kg per m² per millimetre. A 1250 × 2500 × 3 mm sheet weighs roughly 25 kg.
Matching 6063 profiles with sheet?
Send the temper, finish, size and quantity. We will confirm availability and a delivered price.
