CNC machining
T6 machines cleanly with short chips, suitable for unibody shells milled from plate or thick sheet.
3C electronics sheet guide
6013 Aluminium Sheet for 3C Electronics Housings
6013 is a copper-bearing Al-Mg-Si alloy that reaches roughly 25 – 30 % more yield strength than 6061 in the T6 temper while still forming well in T4 and anodising to a cosmetic finish. For computer, communication and consumer-electronics (3C) housings, that means thinner, more dent-resistant shells without moving to the harder-to-finish 7xxx alloys. This guide covers its chemistry, properties, finishing behaviour and what to specify.
- Alloy
- 6013 (Al-Mg-Si-Cu)
- Tempers
- O, T4, T6
- Thickness
- about 0.4 – 12.5 mm
- T6 yield
- about 320 – 350 MPa
What makes 6013 suited to device housings
6013 was developed as a stronger alternative to 6061 for aerospace sheet, where it found use in fuselage skins. Compared with 6061 it has more silicon, more copper and a manganese addition, which together give a denser population of strengthening precipitates after ageing.
For electronics, the useful properties are a high yield strength in T6 (which resists dents and bending when a phone is dropped or a laptop is carried), good formability in T4 (so housings can be drawn or bent before ageing), and machinability good enough for CNC-milled unibody shells. It also anodises well enough for bead-blasted, coloured finishes, although its copper content gives a slightly warmer tone than lean alloys such as 6063.
The alternative choices frame where 6013 sits. 6061 and 6063 are cheaper and anodise slightly better but are weaker. 7xxx grades such as 7075 and 7021 are stronger still, but cost more and are harder to anodise evenly. 6013 is the middle route: a meaningful strength gain with nearly 6xxx finishing behaviour.
6013 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Limit | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.6 – 1.0 | With Mg forms strengthening precipitates; excess Si adds strength |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.8 – 1.2 | Main strengthening element |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.6 – 1.1 | Raises strength; slightly warms anodised colour |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 – 0.8 | Grain control and strength |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.50 | |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.10 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.10 | |
| Others each / total | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Aluminum Association registered limits. Some suppliers' data sheets show lower copper figures that do not match the registration; check the certificate against these limits.
6013 sheet properties by temper
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | low | low | high | Maximum formability; must be solution treated after forming |
| T4 | moderate | roughly half of T6 | high | Forming and drawing, then artificial ageing to T6 |
| T6, minimum (aerospace sheet spec, thin gauges) | ≥ 359 MPa (52 ksi) | ≥ 317 MPa (46 ksi) | ≥ 8 % | Design value |
| T6, typical | about 380 – 400 MPa | about 340 – 350 MPa | about 9 – 10 % | Finished housings |
| 6061-T6, typical (reference) | 310 MPa | 276 MPa | 12 % | For comparison |
Minimums as published for 6013-T6 sheet to aerospace material specifications; typical values from published data. Agree acceptance values for your thickness on the order.
Physical properties
- Density
- about 2.71 g/cm³
- Thermal conductivity (T6)
- about 150 W/m·K
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 69 GPa
- Thermal expansion
- about 23 µm/m·°C
Machining, blasting and anodising 6013
Bead blasting
Gives the even matte texture used on many devices; consistent grain size in the sheet avoids blotchy patches.
Anodising
Sulphuric anodising produces a hard, uniform film. Expect a slightly warmer clear finish than 6063; colour matching should be trialled on production material.
Forming
Bend and draw in T4, then age. Forming in T6 is possible only with generous radii.
Grain control
Fine, uniform grain avoids orange peel and streaks after anodising; specify cosmetic grade for visible parts.
Flatness
Tight flatness and thickness tolerance matter for thin back plates and lids.
Where 6013 is used in 3C products
- Smartphones: mid-frames, back plates and housings that must resist bending and denting
- Tablets: unibody shells and frames combining stiffness with a cosmetic anodised finish
- Laptops: lids and base covers where thin walls must stay rigid
- Small parts: SIM trays, buttons, camera rings and brackets
- Wearables and accessories: watch cases, earbud cases and speaker grilles
Supply range and tolerances
Typical supply
- Thickness
- about 0.4 – 12.5 mm
- Width
- about 600 – 2,100 mm
- Length
- about 1,000 – 12,000 mm, or coil
- Tempers
- O, T4, T6
- Forms
- Sheet, coil and slit strip
- Standards
- ASTM B209, EN 485, GB/T 3880, or aerospace specifications on request
- Thickness tolerance
- Standard tables or precision-rolled tolerances, as tight as about ±0.01 – 0.02 mm on thin gauges by agreement
Every lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate covering chemistry and mechanical properties. Coils are wound on cores to suit your slitting or stamping line.
References and standards
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- SAE AMS 4216 – Aluminum Alloy Sheet and Plate, 6013-T6
- EN 485-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties
6013 3C sheet: frequently asked questions
Is 6013 aluminum stronger than 6061?
Yes. In T6, 6013 typically has a yield strength of about 340 – 350 MPa against 276 MPa for 6061, roughly 25 % higher.
Does 6013 anodise as well as 6063?
It anodises well and is used for cosmetic parts, but its copper gives a slightly warmer clear finish. Run colour trials on production sheet.
Should I buy 6013 in T4 or T6?
Buy T4 if housings are bent or drawn, then age to T6 after forming. Buy T6 for parts that are machined from flat sheet or plate.
How does 6013 compare with 7075 for phone housings?
7075 is stronger but more expensive and harder to anodise evenly. 6013 gives a strength gain over 6061 while keeping simpler finishing.
Can 6013 be supplied in coil?
Yes, as coil or slit strip for stamping lines, as well as cut sheet.
Need 6013 sheet for electronics?
Send temper, thickness, size and surface grade. Metline will reply with availability, certification and delivery terms.
