Bending and stretch-forming
T4 bends to tight radii without cracking, suitable for door frames and roof profiles.
Automotive extrusions
6014 Aluminium Profiles and Extrusions for Automotive
6014 is a lean, vanadium-bearing Al-Mg-Si alloy best known as body sheet for doors, bonnets and tailgates. Extruded in the same chemistry, it gives profiles that match 6014 panels for welding, hemming and closed-loop recycling, with very good formability in T4 and a useful paint-bake response. Metline supplies 6014 profiles to drawing in T4 and T6, worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-6014 (AlMg0,6Si0,6V)
- Tempers
- T4, T6, paint-baked
- Key trait
- Formable, recycling-friendly
- Standards
- EN 755 · EN 573-3
Why extrude profiles in 6014?
Modern aluminium body structures aim to keep as few alloys as possible, so that press-shop and end-of-life scrap can be remelted back into the same product. A closure made from 6014 sheet with a 6014 or other 6xxx reinforcement profile is easier to recycle than one that mixes 5xxx, 6xxx and copper-rich alloys.
6014 contains less silicon and magnesium than 6016 or 6082, plus 0.05 – 0.20 % vanadium for grain control. The lean chemistry gives excellent bendability and hemming in T4 and good crash behaviour, while the paint-bake cycle still lifts yield strength noticeably. In extruded form it suits door frames, window channels, sill and roof profiles, and inner reinforcements that must be bent or hemmed together with sheet.
Strength is lower than 6005A or 6082, so 6014 profiles are used where formability, surface quality and alloy matching matter more than maximum strength. For heavily loaded members, a stronger extrusion alloy is the better choice.
6014 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits per EN 573-3 and the Aluminum Association registration. The vanadium range is the alloy's distinguishing feature.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.30 | 0.6 | Forms Mg2Si |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.40 | 0.8 | Main strengthening element |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.05 | 0.20 | Grain control, toughness |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.05 | 0.20 | Grain control |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.35 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.25 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.20 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 6014
6014 is not one of the common alloys with full EN 755-2 property tables, so profile properties are agreed in the order or OEM specification. The values below are typical guidance.
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 | about 180 – 220 MPa | about 90 – 120 MPa | 20 % or more |
| T4 + paint bake | higher than T4 | typically rises by several tens of MPa | slightly lower |
| T6 | about 230 – 260 MPa | about 190 – 220 MPa | about 10 % |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 69 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 190 – 200 W/m·K
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 23.4 µm/m·°C
Treat these figures as guidance for concept design; final minimums are set on the drawing and verified on each lot.
6014 profile supply range
6014 profile supply range
- Sections
- Custom open, semi-hollow and hollow (multi-cavity) profiles to drawing
- Standard shapes
- Round, square and rectangular tube, angle, channel, T and flat bar
- Size
- Circumscribing circle from small trim sections up to large structural profiles; wall typically 1.5 mm and up
- Length
- Usually cut 3 – 6 m, or precision cut to part length
- Tempers
- T4, T6, or agreed ageing
- Surface
- Mill finish, anodised, e-coated or powder coated on request
- Processing
- Precision sawing, CNC machining, punching, bending and stretch-bending on request
The achievable section depends on the die and the alloy's extrudability; send a drawing so we can confirm wall, tolerance and length.
| Extrusion type | Size guide | Wall guide |
|---|---|---|
| Round tube | about 25 – 250 mm OD | about 3 – 19 mm |
| Square tube | about 25 – 200 mm | about 3 – 12 mm |
| Rectangular tube | about 25 × 50 to 200 × 300 mm | about 3 – 12 mm |
| Angle | about 25 × 25 to 200 × 200 mm | about 3 – 12 mm |
| T and U profiles | about 25 – 150 mm | about 3 – 12 mm |
| Custom closure and sill sections | to drawing | from about 1.5 mm |
Bending, joining and finishing
Hemming with sheet
Profiles can be hemmed or roller-hemmed together with 6014 or 6016 sheet in closures.
Welding
MIG, laser and spot welding. Matching the sheet alloy simplifies weld procedures.
Paint bake
The e-coat and paint ovens raise yield strength; pre-aged material responds faster.
Finishing
Anodises, e-coats and powder coats well; good choice for visible trim-like structural parts.
Corrosion
Low copper gives good resistance to filiform and intergranular corrosion.
Where 6014 profiles are used
- Door frames and window channels matched to 6014 door panels
- Tailgate and bonnet reinforcements hemmed or bonded into closures
- Roof and sill profiles that are stretch-bent to body contours
- Inner reinforcements for body structures with recycling targets
- Exterior trim-structural parts with an e-coated or painted finish
- Seat and interior structures needing good bendability
6014 compared with 6063, 6005A and 6016
| Property | 6014 | 6063 | 6005A | 6016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Si / Mg | 0.30 – 0.6 / 0.40 – 0.8 | 0.20 – 0.6 / 0.45 – 0.9 | 0.50 – 0.9 / 0.40 – 0.7 | 1.0 – 1.5 / 0.25 – 0.6 |
| Vanadium | 0.05 – 0.20 % | — | — | — |
| T4 formability | Excellent | Very good | Good | Very good |
| T6 strength | Medium | Medium | Medium–high | Medium–high |
| Usual form | Sheet, some extrusion | Extrusion | Extrusion | Sheet |
If you need a formable profile without matching to 6014 sheet, 6063 is more widely available. For higher strength, step up to 6005A or 6082.
How to order 6014 profiles
- SpecifyAlloy 6014, temper, section drawing, length, finish, minimum properties and annual volume.
- Confirm the standardEN 755-9 tolerances with EN 573-3 chemistry, ASTM B221, or the vehicle maker's specification.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your plant or port.
- Process and inspectProfiles are cut, checked for dimensions, straightness and twist, and packed with separators.
- Document and shipEach lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, lot traceability and a packing list, in seaworthy export packing. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
References and standards
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 755-9 – Extruded profiles: tolerances on dimensions and form
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- IATF 16949 – Quality management system requirements for automotive production and relevant service parts organisations
6014 automotive profiles: frequently asked questions
Is 6014 an extrusion alloy or a sheet alloy?
It is mainly used as body sheet, but it extrudes well. Profiles in 6014 are chosen to match 6014 panels for welding, hemming and recycling.
Why does 6014 contain vanadium?
Vanadium (0.05 – 0.20 %) helps control grain structure, improving toughness and bendability in a lean, low-copper alloy.
How strong are 6014 aluminum profiles?
Moderate. Typical T6 yield is roughly 190 – 220 MPa. For heavily loaded members, use 6005A, 6082 or 6061.
Do 6014 profiles harden in the paint oven?
Yes. Like 6014 sheet, T4 profiles gain yield strength during the paint-bake cycle.
Can you match 6014 profiles to our sheet supplier's chemistry?
We supply to EN 573-3 limits or to your tighter internal ranges if they are stated on the order.
Need 6014 extrusions?
Send the drawing, temper and volume. Our team will reply with feasibility and a delivered price.
