6063-T52 tee
The usual stock temper in North America. Aged to a controlled strength window, so the bar notches, bends and crimps predictably. Popular for glazing bars, partitions and assembled frames.
Architectural extrusion guide
6063 Aluminium T Bar: Sizes, Weights, Properties and Uses
6063 aluminium T bar is an extruded tee section, a flat flange with a central web, made in the architectural alloy 6063. It is supplied mainly in T52 and T5 for glazing bars, partitions, floor transitions and trims, and in T6 where it must carry more load. This guide lists common sizes with calculated weights, the properties you can rely on, finishes and the points to check before you order.
- Alloy
- 6063 (EN AW-6063)
- Tempers
- T52, T5, T6
- Sizes
- About 20 – 150 mm (3/4 – 6 in)
- Standards
- ASTM B221 · EN 755-2
What is a 6063 aluminium T bar?
A T bar (tee bar or tee section) has a horizontal flange and a vertical web meeting at the centre of the flange. The flange gives a wide face for fixing, sealing or covering a joint; the web adds stiffness and can slot into a groove or carry a panel on each side.
Extruded in 6063, the tee becomes a precise, smooth and easily finished section. That is why 6063 tees are found in glazing systems, suspended ceilings, room dividers, floor and tile transitions, display systems and greenhouse roofs: places where the bar is visible and must look consistent after anodising or powder coating.
Sizes are given as flange width × overall height × thickness. Standard stock tees usually have equal flange width and height and a uniform thickness, but custom tees with unequal dimensions, a thicker web, a bulb on the web or rounded toes are common in proprietary glazing and partition systems.
Common types of 6063 T bar
6063-T5 and T6 tee
T5 is the general-purpose temper in most other markets; T6 adds strength for ceiling grids carrying heavier panels, roof glazing bars and greenhouse purlins.
Anodised tee
Clear, champagne, bronze or black anodising for architectural trim, door and window details and interior partitions.
Powder-coated tee
RAL colours and wood-grain effects to match window systems, shopfitting and furniture.
Decorative tee and transition strip
Thin flanges with brushed, polished or textured faces for floor and wall transitions, tile joints and panel dividers.
Custom tee profiles
Unequal flanges, gasket grooves, screw ports or bulb webs extruded on a dedicated die for system suppliers.
Common 6063 T bar sizes and weights
Weights are calculated for a sharp-corner tee of uniform thickness: area = t × (flange width + height − t), multiplied by 2.70 g/cm³. Tees with root fillets or a thicker web weigh slightly more. Mill lengths are usually 12 ft, 20 ft or 6 m.
| Flange × height × t (in) | Area (in²) | Weight (lb/ft) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 × 0.75 × 0.125 | 0.172 | 0.201 | 0.299 |
| 1 × 1 × 0.125 | 0.234 | 0.274 | 0.408 |
| 1 × 1 × 0.1875 | 0.340 | 0.398 | 0.592 |
| 1 × 1 × 0.25 | 0.438 | 0.512 | 0.762 |
| 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.125 | 0.359 | 0.420 | 0.626 |
| 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.1875 | 0.527 | 0.617 | 0.919 |
| 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.25 | 0.688 | 0.804 | 1.198 |
| 2 × 2 × 0.125 | 0.484 | 0.567 | 0.844 |
| 2 × 2 × 0.1875 | 0.715 | 0.836 | 1.245 |
| 2 × 2 × 0.25 | 0.938 | 1.097 | 1.633 |
| 3 × 3 × 0.125 | 0.734 | 0.859 | 1.279 |
| 3 × 3 × 0.1875 | 1.090 | 1.275 | 1.898 |
| 3 × 3 × 0.25 | 1.438 | 1.682 | 2.504 |
| 4 × 4 × 0.1875 | 1.465 | 1.714 | 2.552 |
| 4 × 4 × 0.25 | 1.938 | 2.267 | 3.375 |
| 5 × 5 × 0.25 | 2.438 | 2.852 | 4.246 |
| 6 × 6 × 0.25 | 2.938 | 3.437 | 5.117 |
Common metric tees:
| Flange × height × t (mm) | Area (mm²) | Mass (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 × 20 × 2 | 76 | 0.205 |
| 25 × 25 × 2 | 96 | 0.259 |
| 25 × 25 × 3 | 141 | 0.381 |
| 30 × 30 × 3 | 171 | 0.462 |
| 40 × 40 × 3 | 231 | 0.624 |
| 40 × 40 × 4 | 304 | 0.821 |
| 50 × 50 × 4 | 384 | 1.037 |
| 50 × 50 × 5 | 475 | 1.282 |
| 60 × 60 × 5 | 575 | 1.552 |
| 80 × 80 × 6 | 924 | 2.495 |
| 100 × 50 × 5 | 725 | 1.958 |
| 100 × 100 × 8 | 1536 | 4.147 |
Listed sizes are typical catalogue sections; availability is confirmed at quotation. Choosing an existing die avoids tooling cost and lead time.
Composition and mechanical properties
| Element | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Brinell hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 90 MPa / 13 ksi | 48 MPa / 7 ksi | 18 – 25 % | 25 HB |
| T1 | 152 MPa / 22 ksi | 90 MPa / 13 ksi | 20 % | 42 HB |
| T4 | 172 MPa / 25 ksi | 90 MPa / 13 ksi | 22 % | — |
| T5 | 186 MPa / 27 ksi | 145 MPa / 21 ksi | 12 % | 60 HB |
| T6 | 241 MPa / 35 ksi | 214 MPa / 31 ksi | 12 % | 73 HB |
Typical values (Aluminum Association / ASM); design to the specified minimums of the order standard. ASTM B221 minimums: T5 152 MPa tensile / 110 MPa yield; T52 152 – 205 MPa / 110 – 170 MPa; T6 207 MPa / 172 MPa. EN 755-2 (wall up to 10 mm): T5 175 / 130 MPa; T6 215 / 170 MPa.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 68.9 GPa (10,000 ksi)
- Melting range
- About 615 – 655 °C
- Thermal conductivity
- About 209 W/m·K (T5), 200 W/m·K (T6)
- Electrical conductivity
- About 55 % IACS (T5), 53 % IACS (T6)
- Thermal expansion
- 23.4 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
How a 6063 tee behaves in service
Two-way stiffness
The web resists bending in its own plane, while the flange resists sideways bending. Orient the web along the direction of the main load, for example vertical in a ceiling grid carrying panels.
Deflection governs
Aluminium is about one third as stiff as steel. For long spans, check deflection first: a deeper web increases stiffness much faster than a thicker flange.
Thermal movement
6063 expands about 2.3 mm per metre per 100 °C. Long glazing or roof tees need slotted fixings or expansion gaps.
Dimensional stability
Press-quenched and aged tees have low residual stress, so they stay straight after cutting and notching. Store bars flat and supported to avoid sagging.
Cutting, notching, joining and finishing
- Cutting: carbide-tipped saw with a lubricant; support both the flange and web close to the blade to prevent chatter, then deburr
- Notching and coping: T52 and T5 notch cleanly for cross-tee joints in grids and frames
- Drilling and machining: sharp, high-rake tools and high speeds; T6 gives a cleaner finish than softer tempers
- Welding: TIG or MIG with ER4043 or ER5356; expect a softer heat-affected zone and finish damage, so mechanical fixing is usual for visible work
- Bending: bend T52 or T4 about the stronger axis with formed tooling; avoid tight bends in T6 and bend before finishing
- Anodising and coating: 6063 gives an even anodised colour; powder coating at 60 – 80 µm is common for exterior use
Where 6063 T bar is used
| Sector | Typical uses |
|---|---|
| Construction | Glazing bars, roof-light and conservatory bars, curtain-wall cover details, partition frames, stair nosings |
| Interiors | Floor transition strips, tile and panel joints, suspended-ceiling main and cross tees, display systems |
| Furniture and shopfitting | Shelf supports, edge trims, divider strips, signage frames |
| Transport | Floor strips, interior trims and light frames in buses, rail coaches, trailers and caravans |
| Agriculture and solar | Greenhouse glazing bars, light module supports and rail connectors |
Typical example: a greenhouse roof glazing bar uses a 6063-T6 tee with the web pointing down; the flange carries the glazing seals on both sides and the web provides the bending stiffness over the rafter span.
6063 T bar vs 6061 T bar
| Property | 6063 tee | 6061 tee |
|---|---|---|
| Usual temper | T52, T5, T6 | T6 |
| Yield strength, min (ASTM B221) | 110 MPa (T5) – 172 MPa (T6) | 241 MPa (T6) |
| Surface and anodised finish | Bright and uniform | Good, slightly duller |
| Thin, detailed sections | Excellent | Good |
| Machinability | Fair | Very good |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical use | Glazing, trims, partitions, grids | Structural tees, machine frames, heavy brackets |
Use 6063 when finish and section detail matter and loads are moderate; use 6061 when the tee is a real structural member or will be machined heavily. ASTM B308 covers 6061-T6 standard structural tees with Aluminum Association dimensions.
How to order 6063 T bar
- SpecifyFlange width, height, thickness (or drawing), temper, length, finish and quantity; state the standard (ASTM B221 or EN 755).
- QuoteWe confirm availability on existing dies, alternatives where needed, and EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
- ProcessCut to length, notched, drilled or machined to drawing; anodised or powder coated.
- DocumentEN 10204 3.1 mill certificate, plus coating reports where applicable.
- ShipBundled with interleaving and film, packed in wooden crates for export.
References and standards
- ASTM B221 – Standard specification for extruded bars, rods, wire, profiles and tubes
- 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 Standards and Data
6063 aluminium T bar: frequently asked questions
How much does a 6063 aluminium T bar weigh?
For a uniform-thickness tee, multiply t × (flange + height − t) in mm by 0.0027 for kg/m. A 40 × 40 × 3 mm tee is about 0.62 kg/m; a 2 × 2 × 1/4 in tee about 1.10 lb/ft.
Which temper is best for 6063 T bar?
T52 or T5 for glazing, trims and partitions, where predictable bending and a good finish matter. T6 where the tee spans further or carries heavier loads.
Can 6063 T bar be anodised?
Yes. 6063 is one of the best alloys for anodising, giving an even clear or coloured finish with good wear and corrosion resistance.
Is 6063 aluminum T bar suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. It resists atmospheric corrosion well; anodising or powder coating extends its life in coastal or polluted areas.
Can 6063 T bar be welded?
Yes, by TIG or MIG with 4043 or 5356 filler, but the area around the weld softens and finishes are damaged, so mechanical fixing is preferred for visible work.
Can you supply cut and machined T bar?
Yes. Cutting to length, notching, drilling and CNC machining to drawing can be arranged with the material supply.
Need 6063 T bar?
Send the section, temper, finish, length and quantity. We will reply with availability and a delivered price.
