O (annealed)
Softest condition and the normal state for cold heading. Rivets are headed in O and then heat-treated, or driven soft where low strength is acceptable.
Aerospace rivet and cold-heading wire
6053 Aerospace Aluminium Wire
6053 is a magnesium-silicon aluminium alloy made almost entirely for one job: wire that is cold-headed into solid and tubular rivets. It has more magnesium and less iron than 6061, so it heads cleanly in the soft condition and then reaches useful strength after heat treatment. Metline supplies 6053 wire in coils and straight lengths to ASTM B316 and customer specifications, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6053 (Al-Mg-Si-Cr)
- Tempers
- O, H13, T4, T61
- Main use
- Solid and tubular rivets
- Standard
- ASTM B316
What is 6053 aluminium wire?
6053 (UNS A96053) is a heat-treatable 6xxx alloy designed for cold heading. Its magnesium content of 1.1 – 1.4 % is higher than in 6061, while iron, copper and zinc are kept very low. That combination gives a soft, clean wire that forms rivet heads without cracking and still responds to solution treatment and ageing.
In aircraft and general engineering, 6053 sits between the soft 1100 and 3003 rivet alloys and the high-strength 2017, 2024 and 2117 rivet alloys. It is chosen when a rivet must be stronger than a pure-aluminium rivet but must not introduce copper, which can harm corrosion resistance when the rivet sits in a magnesium-silicon or aluminium-magnesium structure. Tubular and semi-tubular rivets, rivets for anodised assemblies and fasteners for interior and secondary structure are typical uses.
The alloy is not a high-strength structural wire. Its value lies in good headability, good corrosion behaviour and a strength level that is predictable after a simple heat treatment.
6053 chemical composition (wt %)
The silicon limit for 6053 is unusual: it is set as a proportion of the actual magnesium content, so the alloy always has a controlled magnesium-to-silicon balance. Values follow the registered Aluminum Association limits used by ASTM B316.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 45 % of Mg | 65 % of Mg | Roughly 0.50 – 0.91 % depending on the magnesium level |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.35 | Kept low for headability |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Very low; helps corrosion resistance |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 1.10 | 1.40 | Main alloying element |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 | 0.35 | Grain control, stress-corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | Impurity |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Earlier data circulating for "6053" with 0.4 – 0.7 % copper does not match the registered alloy. Always check that the mill certificate reports magnesium of 1.1 – 1.4 % and copper of 0.10 % maximum.
6053 tempers and what they mean for rivets
H13
Lightly drawn for better straightness and feeding on automatic heading machines while keeping enough ductility for the head.
T4
Solution heat-treated and naturally aged. Used where the rivet is formed after treatment or where moderate strength is enough.
T61
Solution heat-treated and artificially aged. The usual finished condition for 6053 rivets, giving the highest strength the alloy offers.
6053 in T61 is weaker than 6061-T6: it trades some tensile and shear strength for easier heading and better corrosion behaviour. Exact minimum tensile and shear values depend on the temper and diameter in the order specification, and are stated on the mill certificate. When designing a riveted joint, use the allowables in your design code or rivet standard, not general typical values.
Physical properties (typical)
- Density
- About 2.69 g/cm³
- Melting range
- About 575 – 650 °C
- Modulus of elasticity
- About 69 GPa
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- About 23 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
Physical constants for 6053 are close to other 6xxx alloys. The density of 2.78 g/cm³ quoted on some sites is too high for this alloy.
6053 wire sizes and packing
Supply range
- Diameter
- About 0.2 – 9.5 mm (0.008 – 0.375 in); rod above this on request
- Form
- Coils on spools or in bundles; straight lengths cut to order
- Tempers
- O, H13, T4, T61, or as the order specification requires
- Surface
- Clean, bright drawn finish; lubricated for heading on request
- Standards
- ASTM B316; customer or OEM rivet-wire specifications
- Testing
- Chemistry, tensile, and on request heading (upset) tests and shear tests on heat-treated samples
Rivet makers usually specify a diameter tolerance, a heading or upset test and a surface free of seams, scratches and laps, because any surface defect opens up when the head is formed. Tell us your heading ratio and the finished rivet temper so the wire condition can be matched to the process.
Where 6053 wire is used
- Solid rivets for secondary aircraft structure, ground-support equipment and interior fittings where copper-free fasteners are preferred
- Tubular and semi-tubular rivets for brackets, hinges, seat and galley components and electrical assemblies
- Rivets for anodised parts, where the low copper content gives a more even anodic finish on the fastener
- Cold-headed pins and small fasteners that need moderate strength after a simple T61 heat treatment
- Rivets in 5xxx and 6xxx structures, such as transport bodies and marine fittings, where a compatible copper-free rivet limits galvanic and intergranular attack
6053 is not an electrical conductor alloy and not a structural wire for high loads. For high-strength rivets, aircraft structure normally uses 2117-T4 ("AD"), 2017-T4 ("D") or 2024-T4 ("DD") rivets; for the softest rivets, 1100 is used.
6053 compared with other rivet-wire alloys
| Alloy | Family | Typical rivet temper | Relative strength | Main reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | Pure aluminium | F / H14 | Lowest | Very soft, non-structural rivets |
| 5056 | Al-Mg | H32 | Moderate | Rivets for magnesium alloy structures |
| 6053 | Al-Mg-Si | T61 | Moderate | Good headability, copper-free, heat-treatable |
| 6061 | Al-Mg-Si-Cu | T6 | Moderate–higher | Higher strength 6xxx rivets and pins |
| 2117 | Al-Cu | T4 | Higher | Standard aircraft rivet driven as received |
| 2017 / 2024 | Al-Cu | T4 | High | Structural rivets; often driven fresh or refrigerated |
Relative strength is given in words because values depend on the rivet standard and diameter. If you are replacing one rivet alloy with another, check the joint allowables, not just the material tensile strength.
How to order 6053 wire
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, wire diameter, coil or length format, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (for example ASTM B316).
- ConfirmWe confirm the specification can be met, the tolerance class, any extra tests and the delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions, surface condition and identification; tests named on the order are carried out or arranged with a third party.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing chemistry and mechanical results, traceable to the cast or lot number.
- Pack and shipExport packing in sealed, moisture-protected wooden cases or on pallets, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- ASTM B316/B316M – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
- MIL-HDBK-5 / MMPDS – Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (rivet and fastener allowables)
6053 aluminium wire: frequently asked questions
What is 6053 aluminium used for?
Almost entirely for rivet and cold-heading wire. Its high magnesium and low iron and copper content make it easy to head, and it can be heat-treated to T61 after forming.
Is 6053 the same as 6061?
No. Both are Al-Mg-Si alloys, but 6053 has more magnesium (1.1 – 1.4 %), much less copper (0.10 % max) and less iron. It is softer and heads more easily; 6061 is stronger.
Which temper should I order for rivet making?
Most rivet makers buy O or a light H13 temper for heading, then solution treat and age the rivets to T61. Order T4 or T61 wire only if the forming is done after heat treatment.
Which standard covers 6053 rivet wire?
ASTM B316/B316M, the specification for aluminium and aluminium-alloy rivet and cold-heading wire and rod. Many OEMs also issue their own wire specifications that reference it.
Can 6053 aluminum rivets be used in aircraft primary structure?
Primary structure normally uses 2117, 2017 or 2024 rivets, which have published design allowables. 6053 is used for secondary structure, interiors and equipment where its corrosion behaviour and headability are worth more than peak strength.
Do you ship 6053 wire internationally?
Yes. Metline supplies 6053 wire worldwide from Mumbai, with mill test certificates and export packing on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
Need 6053 rivet wire?
Send diameter, temper, quantity and the specification. Our team will confirm availability, tests and a delivered price.
