6063-T5
Cooled from the extrusion press and then artificially aged. The default for straight handle profiles: strong enough, economical, and it anodises with a uniform tone.
Furniture extrusion guide
Cabinet Handle Aluminium Profiles: Alloys, Shapes & Finishes
Cabinet handle profiles are thin-walled aluminium extrusions, almost always 6063 in T5 or T6 temper, that are cut to length and fixed to kitchen, wardrobe and office furniture doors as edge pulls, recessed channels or bar handles. This guide explains which alloy, temper, shape, wall thickness and finish to specify so that the profile looks right, survives daily use and fits your cabinet system. Metline supplies the extruded profile in mill finish or finished lengths to furniture makers and hardware brands worldwide.
- Usual alloy
- 6063 (6061 for heavy pulls)
- Tempers
- T5, T6, T4 for bending
- Finishes
- Anodised, powder, wood-grain, brushed
- Standards
- EN 755 · EN 12020 · ASTM B221
What a cabinet handle profile has to do
A handle profile looks simple, but it is a decorative part that people touch thousands of times a year, in a kitchen full of steam, grease and cleaning chemicals. It must keep a sharp, straight line over lengths of up to 3 metres, carry the pull force of a heavy drawer without flexing, and keep its colour next to appliances and worktops for a decade or more.
Extruded aluminium suits this job better than most alternatives. A single die can produce a complex cross-section with a finger recess, a mounting flange and a groove for the door panel in one piece, and the profile can then be cut to any door width. Aluminium is light, so it adds little weight to the door hinges, and it takes anodised and painted finishes that match modern handle-less kitchen designs.
Handle profiles fall into two broad groups. Surface-mounted pulls (bar, edge and T-bar handles) are screwed to the face or top edge of the door. Integrated or recessed profiles (J-pull, G-profile, C-channel and L-channel "gola" systems) run along the carcass or the door edge so that the front looks handle-free. Both use the same alloys, but integrated profiles are longer, more structural and need closer straightness tolerances.
6063 and 6061 composition for handle profiles
Almost every decorative handle profile is extruded from 6063. Its low copper and iron content gives a bright, even anodised colour, and it extrudes easily through the thin walls and sharp corners that handle designs need. 6061 is used when a profile must be stronger, for example a long bar handle on a tall pantry door or a profile that also acts as a structural frame member. The limits below are the registered values used by ASTM B221 and EN 573-3.
| Element (wt %) | 6063 | 6061 | Effect on a handle profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 – 0.60 | 0.40 – 0.80 | Forms Mg2Si with magnesium for strength |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 – 0.90 | 0.80 – 1.20 | Main strengthening element |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.70 | Lower iron gives a clearer, brighter anodised finish |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 | 0.15 – 0.40 | Raises strength in 6061 but slightly dulls anodising |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.10 | 0.04 – 0.35 | Grain control; can give 6061 a faint yellow tint when anodised |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.15 | Grain control |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.25 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.15 | Grain refiner |
| Others each / total | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | Remainder |
For bright-dip or polished handles, ask for a "bright" or decorative 6063 billet with tighter iron limits; it gives a more mirror-like result after chemical brightening.
Minimum mechanical properties by temper
Handle profiles are rarely stressed close to their limits, but the temper decides how stiff and dent-resistant the profile feels and whether it can be bent. Values below are specified minimums for extruded profiles; the mill certificate reports the actual results for each lot.
| Alloy & temper | Tensile strength, min | Yield strength (0.2 %), min | Elongation, min | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T5 (wall ≤ 12.5 mm) | 152 MPa / 22 ksi | 110 MPa / 16 ksi | 8 % | ASTM B221 |
| 6063-T5 (wall 3 – 25 mm) | 160 MPa | 110 MPa | 7 % | EN 755-2 |
| 6063-T6 | 207 MPa / 30 ksi | 172 MPa / 25 ksi | 8 – 10 % | ASTM B221 |
| 6063-T6 (wall ≤ 10 mm) | 215 MPa | 170 MPa | 8 % | EN 755-2 |
| 6061-T4 | 180 MPa / 26 ksi | 110 MPa / 16 ksi | 16 % | ASTM B221 / EN 755-2 |
| 6061-T6 | 260 MPa / 38 ksi | 240 MPa / 35 ksi | 8 – 10 % | ASTM B221 / EN 755-2 |
EN and ASTM limits differ slightly by thickness band; the figures are rounded and the order standard governs. Typical 6063-T5 profiles in practice test around 185 MPa tensile and 145 MPa yield.
Physical properties of 6063 (useful for design)
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³: a 1 m profile with a 120 mm² section weighs about 0.32 kg
- Modulus of elasticity
- 68.9 GPa, about one third of steel, so stiffness comes from section shape
- Thermal expansion
- About 23.4 µm/m·°C: a 3 m profile grows roughly 1.4 mm over a 20 °C change
- Melting range
- About 615 – 655 °C, far above any kitchen temperature
T5, T6 or T4: choosing the temper
6063-T6
Solution heat-treated (by press quench on thin walls) and aged to full strength. Choose it for long integrated rails, tall-door bar handles or thin walls that must resist denting.
6063-T4 / T1
Naturally aged and softer. Used when the profile is to be bent into curves or radiused handles, then aged to T5/T6 after forming if strength is needed.
6061-T6
Higher strength for pulls that double as frame members, aluminium cabinet frames or heavy drawer handles. Anodised colour is slightly less clear than 6063.
6061-T4
Formable condition of 6061 for bent or stretched handles that are aged after shaping.
Temper and finish
Anodising and powder curing happen after ageing. Powder curing at about 180 – 200 °C for a short cycle has little effect on T5/T6 strength.
Common cabinet handle profile shapes
| Profile type | How it works | Typical use | Design note |
|---|---|---|---|
| J-pull / edge pull | Clips or screws onto the top edge of a door or drawer front; fingers hook under a lip | Handle-less kitchen fronts, bathroom vanities | Groove width must match board thickness (16, 18 or 19 mm) with a slight interference |
| G-profile | A G-shaped section fixed to the door edge, giving a finger recess behind the front | Wardrobes, kitchen base units | Covered in detail on our G-profile page |
| C-channel (horizontal gola) | Fixed to the carcass between drawers, creating a recessed grip line | Premium handle-less kitchens | Long lengths; needs good straightness and end caps |
| L-channel (top gola) | Fixed under the worktop on the top drawer or door | Base units below worktops | Often paired with C-channel of the same finish |
| Vertical gola | Upright channel in tall units | Pantry and fridge housings | Matches the horizontal channels at corners |
| Bar and T-bar handles | Solid or hollow bar on two posts, screwed to the face | Traditional and industrial-style doors | Hollow tube or bar section; threaded holes at fixing centres (96, 128, 160 mm…) |
| Bent and curved handles | Straight profile bent by press or CNC to an arc or angle | Decorative fronts, corner units | Bend in a soft temper; allow larger radii on thin walls |
Many brands also make knobs, L-shaped corner pulls and combined handle and light profiles that hold an LED strip. Whatever the shape, Metline supplies the aluminium extrusion; the furniture maker or hardware brand finishes, cuts and assembles the handle.
Wall thickness, tolerances and straightness
Most handle profiles have walls of about 1.0 – 2.0 mm. Walls thinner than about 0.8 mm are hard to extrude evenly and dent easily; walls much thicker than needed add cost and weight without improving the look. Keep wall thickness as uniform as possible across the section, because large differences cause uneven cooling, distortion and visible streaks after anodising.
Typical tolerance references
- Cross-section dimensions
- EN 12020-2 (precision profiles in 6060/6063) or EN 755-9; ASTM B221 / ANSI H35.2 for US orders
- Wall thickness
- Typically ±0.10 – 0.15 mm on 1 – 2 mm walls under EN 12020-2
- Straightness
- Critical for gola channels; EN 12020-2 limits deviation per metre and over the full length
- Twist and flatness of visible faces
- Specify if long profiles are fixed edge-to-edge with doors
- Cut length
- Typically ±0.5 mm for finished cut lengths; tighter on CNC-cut parts
- Finish thickness
- Anodising class (for example AA10, AA15) per EN ISO 7599 / ISO 7599; powder film usually 60 – 120 µm
- Mark the visible (decorative) faces on the drawing so they are protected during handling and finishing
- Round sharp external corners slightly (about 0.3 – 0.5 mm) for a better feel and more even anodising
- Add small grooves or ribs to hide die lines on large flat faces
- Allow for finish thickness in clip-on grooves: powder coating can add 0.1 – 0.2 mm per side
- Design the groove for the actual board and edge-banding thickness, not the nominal value
Surface finishes for handle profiles
Anodising
Clear (silver), champagne, bronze, black, gold and rose-gold tones. For kitchen interiors a film of 10 – 15 µm is normal; 15 – 20 µm suits bathrooms and heavier wear. The film is hard and will not peel.
Brushed or sand-blasted then anodised
Mechanical brushing ("wire drawing") or bead blasting before anodising gives a satin or matt look that hides fingerprints and light scratches.
Electrophoretic (E-coat) over anodising
A thin clear or coloured acrylic layer is deposited over the anodised film for extra stain and alkali resistance and a smoother feel.
Powder coating
Any RAL or custom colour, matt to gloss, to match cabinet fronts. Polyester powders are standard; specify architectural-grade powders if colour stability matters.
Wood-grain transfer
A printed film is sublimated into a powder base coat to imitate oak, walnut and other timbers, matching wood-effect fronts.
Polished and bright-dipped
Mechanical polishing and chemical brightening before anodising for a mirror-like chrome look, best on bright-quality 6063.
For colour consistency across a kitchen, order all handle profiles in one batch from one finishing line and approve a limit sample showing the lightest and darkest acceptable shade. Our guide to aluminium for anodised appearance parts explains why alloy and billet quality matter.
Aluminium profile vs stainless steel handles
| Property | Aluminium profile (6063) | Stainless steel (304) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | About one third of steel | Heavy; more load on hinges and runners |
| Shapes possible | Complex integrated sections in one extrusion | Mostly tube, bar and bent sheet |
| Finishes and colours | Wide range of anodised, painted and wood effects | Brushed or polished metal; coloured PVD costs more |
| Corrosion in kitchens | Very good when anodised or coated | Excellent |
| Scratch resistance | Anodised film is hard but thin; deep scratches show base metal | Very good |
| Fingerprints and water marks | Matt anodised and powder finishes hide them well | Polished steel shows marks easily |
| Cost of long integrated profiles | Low once the die is made | High; must be fabricated |
Stainless steel remains a good choice for short, solid bar handles in commercial kitchens. For handle-less designs, long rails and colour-matched fronts, extruded aluminium is the practical material.
How to order cabinet handle profiles from Metline
- DrawingSend the cross-section with tolerances, decorative faces and the cabinet board thickness, or ask us to adapt a standard section.
- Alloy, temper and finishUsually 6063-T5; state the finish, colour code or limit sample and film thickness.
- Length and processingMill lengths (typically 3 – 6 m) or cut lengths with drilling, tapping or end machining to drawing.
- Quote and approvalWe confirm tooling, finishing, packing and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP); samples can be arranged for approval.
- Packing and documentsEach length protected with film or interleaving, bundled in cartons or wooden crates; mill test certificate (EN 10204 3.1) with every shipment.
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 12020-2 – Extruded precision profiles in alloys EN AW-6060 and EN AW-6063: tolerances
- ISO 7599 – Anodizing of aluminium and its alloys: decorative and protective anodic oxidation coatings
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
Cabinet handle aluminium (aluminum) profiles: FAQ
Which aluminium alloy is best for cabinet handles?
6063 in T5 or T6 temper. It extrudes cleanly into thin, detailed sections and gives the most uniform anodised colour. Use 6061-T6 only where a handle or rail needs more strength than 6063 can give.
What anodising thickness should a kitchen handle profile have?
For dry kitchen interiors 10 – 15 µm is normal. For bathrooms, coastal homes or heavy use, specify 15 – 20 µm. Thicker films improve wear and corrosion resistance but slightly darken coloured finishes.
Can aluminium handle profiles be bent into curves?
Yes. Order the profile in a soft temper such as T4, bend it by press or CNC with a radius suited to the wall thickness, then age it if strength is needed. Finish after bending, otherwise the anodised or powder film can crack.
What is the difference between a J-pull and a G-profile handle?
A J-pull clips onto the top edge of the door and the fingers hook under its lip. A G-profile is fixed along the door edge and its curved section forms a recess behind the front. Both give a handle-free look; the choice depends on the cabinet system and board thickness.
Does Metline make finished cabinet handles?
No. Metline supplies the aluminium extrusion in mill finish or in finished, cut lengths for furniture makers and hardware companies, who fit, assemble and sell the handles.
Is aluminium or stainless steel better for kitchen handles?
Aluminium is lighter, cheaper for long profiles and available in many colours and integrated shapes. Stainless steel is harder and more scratch-resistant for solid bar handles. For handle-less fronts and colour-matched designs, aluminium is the usual choice.
Specifying a handle profile?
Send your section drawing, finish and quantities. Metline will reply with alloy, tooling, finishing and delivery options for your market.
