Anodising
Gives a bright, even film in clear, bronze or black. For marine use, specify at least 20 µm sealed film.
Marine outfitting stock
6060 Marine Aluminium Square Bar
6060 square bar is a low-alloy, heat-treatable aluminium extrusion with an exceptionally clean surface and the best anodising response of the structural 6xxx grades. Its moderate strength (about 150 MPa minimum proof in T6) suits outfitting, trim, frames and light fittings on boats rather than primary structure. Metline supplies 6060 square bar in T5 and T6, mill finish or anodised, to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-6060 (AlMgSi)
- Tempers
- T4, T5, T6, T66
- Side length
- about 10 – 120 mm
- Min. proof (T6)
- 150 MPa
What 6060 square bar is good for at sea
6060 is the lowest-alloyed member of the common 6xxx extrusion family. Low silicon, magnesium and iron let it flow through a die quickly and leave a smooth, uniform surface, which is why it is the European workhorse for window frames, interior systems and decorative extrusions. On boats the same qualities make it a good choice for visible, lightly loaded parts that will be anodised.
As a solid square bar it is used for trim, cabinet and furniture frames, ladder treads, rubbing strips, light brackets, grab rail stock and the many small machined parts of interior outfitting. The alloy is fully heat-treatable, so it can be supplied in T4 for bending and then aged, in T5 straight from a press quench, or in T6 for the highest strength.
The limitation is strength. A minimum proof strength of 150 MPa in T6 is about 60 % of 6082-T6, so 6060 is not the right bar for load-carrying structure. When in doubt, step up to 6005A or 6082.
6060 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | 6060 |
|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.30 – 0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.10 – 0.30 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.35 – 0.60 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Others, each / total | ≤ 0.05 / ≤ 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
6060 is sometimes confused with 6063. 6063 has more magnesium (0.45 – 0.90 %) and slightly higher strength; 6060 is leaner and extrudes faster. Both are excellent for anodising, and both are widely used in marine outfitting.
Mechanical and physical properties
EN 755-2 minimums for extruded bar up to 150 mm:
| Alloy-temper | Size D (mm) | Tensile Rm (min) | Proof Rp0.2 (min) | Elongation A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6060-T4 | ≤ 150 | 120 MPa | 60 MPa | ≥ 16 % |
| 6060-T5 | ≤ 150 | 160 MPa | 120 MPa | ≥ 8 % |
| 6060-T6 | ≤ 150 | 190 MPa | 150 MPa | ≥ 8 % |
A higher-strength T66 temper, produced with tighter process control, is available in some sizes and is roughly 10 – 15 % stronger than T6. Ask if your design needs it.
Physical properties (T6, typical)
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Elastic modulus
- about 69.5 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 200 – 210 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- about 52 – 58 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 23.4 µm/m·°C
- Melting range
- about 600 – 655 °C
Standards and designations
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| EN 573-3 | EN AW-6060 / EN AW-AlMgSi |
| German Werkstoff | 3.3206 |
| UNS | A96060 |
| Bar properties / tolerances | EN 755-2 / EN 755-4 |
| China | 6060 (GB/T 3190); bar to GB/T 3191 |
Sizes and weights
Supply range
- Side length
- About 10 – 120 mm
- Length
- 3 – 6 m; cut to length on request
- Finish
- Mill, brushed, clear or colour anodised, powder coated
| Side (mm) | kg per metre | kg per 3 m bar | kg per 6 m bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.270 | 0.81 | 1.6 |
| 12 | 0.389 | 1.17 | 2.3 |
| 15 | 0.608 | 1.82 | 3.6 |
| 20 | 1.08 | 3.24 | 6.5 |
| 25 | 1.69 | 5.06 | 10.1 |
| 30 | 2.43 | 7.29 | 14.6 |
| 40 | 4.32 | 12.96 | 25.9 |
| 50 | 6.75 | 20.25 | 40.5 |
| 60 | 9.72 | 29.16 | 58.3 |
| 80 | 17.28 | 51.84 | 103.7 |
| 100 | 27.00 | 81.00 | 162.0 |
| 120 | 38.88 | 116.64 | 233.3 |
Tolerances
| Side length (mm) | Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| over 18 to 25 | ±0.25 |
| over 25 to 40 | ±0.30 |
| over 40 to 50 | ±0.35 |
| over 50 to 65 | ±0.40 |
| over 65 to 80 | ±0.45 |
| over 80 to 100 | ±0.55 |
| over 100 to 120 | ±0.65 |
Corner radii, twist and straightness follow EN 755-4. Anodised parts show surface marks more clearly, so specify the decorative surface and any handling requirements at order.
Working with 6060
Machining
Softer than 6061 or 6082; use sharp, polished tools and high speeds to avoid smearing.
Bending
Bend in T4 and artificially age afterwards for best results.
Welding
Weldable with ER5356 or ER4043; strength near the weld falls to about T4 level.
Specifying an anodised finish on 6060 bar
Anodising is the main reason buyers choose 6060, so it pays to specify it properly. The film thickness, sealing quality and pre-treatment decide how long the surface stays bright in salt air. A thin decorative film that looks fine indoors can chalk and pit within a few seasons on an open deck.
| Exposure | Recommended film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior, dry cabins | 10 – 15 µm, sealed | Decorative; any colour |
| Interior, wet areas and engine room | 15 – 20 µm, sealed | Resists condensation and cleaning chemicals |
| Exterior, deck and superstructure | 20 – 25 µm, sealed | Standard marine-grade film; quality labels often class this as 20 or 25 µm |
| Wear surfaces (treads, slides) | Hard anodising, 25 – 50 µm | Higher abrasion resistance, darker colour |
Ask for a seal-quality test (for example an admittance or dye-spot test) on exterior parts, and keep finished bars wrapped until installation. Rinse anodised fittings with fresh water periodically; salt deposits left to dry are the main cause of staining. Avoid strongly alkaline or acidic cleaners, which attack the anodic film.
Marine uses
- Interior frames for furniture, lockers and panels
- Trim and edge strips, rubbing strips and cover bars
- Ladder treads and steps for light duty
- Window and door hardware in deckhouses
- Heat-sink blocks for marine electronics, using its high conductivity
6060 versus 6063, 6005A and 6082
| Alloy-T6 | Min. proof (bar) | Anodising | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6060 | 150 MPa | Excellent | Trim, outfitting |
| 6063 | about 170 MPa | Excellent | Trim, frames |
| 6005A | 215 – 225 MPa | Good | Medium-load structure |
| 6082 | 250 – 260 MPa | Good | Primary structure |
Ordering
- SpecifyAlloy 6060, temper, side length, finish, length and quantity.
- QuoteAvailability, certificate and terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- ShipWith EN 10204 3.1 certificate in protective export packing.
References and standards
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties
- EN 755-4 – Extruded square bar: tolerances on dimensions and form
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
6060 marine aluminium (aluminum) square bar: FAQs
Is 6060 strong enough for boat structure?
Not for primary structure. With 150 MPa minimum proof strength in T6, it suits trim, frames and light fittings; use 6005A or 6082 for loaded parts.
Is 6060 the same as 6063?
No. 6063 has more magnesium and is slightly stronger; 6060 extrudes faster. Both anodise very well.
Does 6060 corrode in salt air?
It has good resistance in marine atmospheres, especially when anodised. Avoid constant seawater immersion and contact with stainless steel or bronze without isolation.
How much does a 30 mm 6060 square bar weigh?
About 2.43 kg per metre.
Need 6060 square bar?
Send size, temper, finish, quantity and destination for availability and a delivered price.
