Bending
Bend in T4; the high-silicon chemistry ages fast, so form promptly after delivery.
Automotive extrusions
6016 Aluminium Profiles for Automotive
6016 is the main European outer-panel alloy: high in silicon, low in magnesium and copper, with a strong paint-bake response. Extruded in the same chemistry, it gives trim and reinforcement profiles that match 6016 panels for joining, finishing and recycling. Metline supplies 6016 profiles in T4, T5 and T6 to drawing, with mill certificates, worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-6016 (AlSi1,2Mg0,4)
- Tempers
- T4, T5, T6
- Si / Mg
- 1.0 – 1.5 / 0.25 – 0.6 %
- Forms
- Tubes, trim, custom sections
Why use 6016 for extrusions?
6016 is a silicon-rich 6xxx alloy: it contains more silicon than magnesium, the opposite of 6063 or 6061. The excess silicon makes the alloy respond quickly to short ageing cycles, which is why it hardens well in the automotive paint oven. Most 6016 is rolled into body sheet, but the alloy also extrudes and is used for profiles that sit alongside 6016 panels.
Matching profile and sheet alloys simplifies life in three ways. Weld and bonding procedures are qualified once. Both parts gain strength together in the paint bake. And press-shop and end-of-life scrap stays within one alloy family, which supports closed-loop recycling targets that many vehicle makers now set.
Some suppliers publish 6016 extrusion data with silicon of 0.4 – 0.9 % and magnesium of 0.6 – 1.2 %. That chemistry is closer to 6061 or 6063 and is not 6016. If a drawing calls for 6016, it should be supplied to the registered limits shown below.
6016 chemical composition (wt %)
Registered limits per EN 573-3 (EN AW-6016) and the Aluminum Association.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.25 | 0.6 |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.50 |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.20 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.20 |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.20 |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.15 |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 6016
EN 485-2 gives property limits for 6016 sheet; extruded profiles are normally ordered to the same targets or to the OEM specification. Use the sheet values below as a guide, then fix profile minimums on the drawing.
| Temper | Tensile Rm | Proof Rp0.2 | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 (EN 485-2, sheet) | 170 – 250 MPa | 80 – 140 MPa | 24 % min |
| T6 (EN 485-2, sheet) | 260 MPa min | 180 MPa min | 10 % min |
| T4 + paint bake (typical) | about 240 – 270 MPa | about 180 – 220 MPa | about 15 – 20 % |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 69 – 70 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 190 – 210 W/m·K
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 23.4 µm/m·°C
6016 profile sizes
6016 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, T5, 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.
| Profile | Outer size guide (mm) | Wall guide (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Square tube | about 10 × 10 to 150 × 150 | about 0.7 – 12 |
| Round tube | about 10 – 200 OD | about 0.7 – 12 |
| Rectangular tube | about 10 × 20 to 200 × 300 | about 0.7 – 12 |
| T and U profiles | about 10 – 40 mm series and custom | to drawing |
Forming, joining and finishing
Ageing
T5 press-quench plus ageing suits thin walls. Paint baking adds strength to T4 parts in the body.
Welding
MIG with ER4043 or ER4047 filler matches the silicon-rich base well; laser welding is also used.
Finishing
E-coats and paints well; anodising gives a slightly grey tone because of the high silicon.
Machining
Good in T5/T6; silicon helps chip breaking.
Corrosion
Low copper gives good corrosion resistance under paint.
Where 6016 profiles are used
- Closure reinforcements bonded or riveted into 6016 bonnets and doors
- Roof rails and roof-frame members next to 6016 roof panels
- Window and door-frame sections that are painted with the body
- Trim carriers and covered trim profiles
- Bumper and front-end carrier parts in mixed-material structures
6016 compared with 6014, 6063 and 6082
| Property | 6016 | 6014 | 6063 | 6082 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Si / Mg balance | Si-rich | Balanced, lean | Mg-rich | Si-rich, higher Mg |
| Paint-bake response | Very good | Good | Slow | Moderate |
| Extrudability | Good | Very good | Excellent | Fair |
| Peak strength | Medium–high | Medium | Medium | High |
| Usual form | Sheet, some profiles | Sheet, some profiles | Profiles | Profiles, bar |
Choose 6016 profiles to match 6016 panels. For general profiles without that need, 6063 (formable) or 6082 (strong) are easier to source.
How to order 6016 profiles
- SpecifyAlloy 6016, temper, section drawing, length, minimum properties, finish and annual volume.
- Confirm the standardEN 573-3 chemistry with EN 755-9 tolerances, 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, inspected for dimensions and surface, 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 485-2 – Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties
- 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
6016 automotive profiles: frequently asked questions
What is the correct chemistry of 6016?
Silicon 1.0 – 1.5 %, magnesium 0.25 – 0.6 %, copper 0.20 % max, iron 0.50 % max. Tables showing 0.4 – 0.9 % Si and 0.6 – 1.2 % Mg describe a different alloy.
Why extrude 6016 instead of using 6063?
To match 6016 body panels for joining, paint-bake response and recycling. If matching is not needed, 6063 is easier to source.
Do 6016 aluminum profiles harden in the paint oven?
Yes. T4 profiles gain significant yield strength in a standard paint-bake cycle, like 6016 sheet.
What tempers are available?
T4 for forming, T5 for press-quenched thin sections, and T6 for full strength.
Can 6016 profiles be anodised?
Yes, but the high silicon gives a slightly grey tone. Painting or e-coating is the usual finish.
Need 6016 profiles?
Send the drawing, temper and volume. Our team will reply with feasibility and a delivered price.
