Aluminum Alloy Guide
Which alloy for your profile? The 6000-series covers most extrusion work — here is how 6063, 6061 and 6082 differ and when each wins.
Short answer: 6063 for appearance and complex thin-wall shapes, 6061 for structural strength and machining, 6082 for the highest 6000-series strength in load-bearing parts.
6063 — the extrusion workhorse
Best surface quality after anodizing, flows easily through complex dies, ideal for visible profiles: LED channels, trims, furniture frames, enclosure faces. Typical temper T5; tensile strength around 186 MPa.
6061 — structural all-rounder
Higher strength (T6 ~310 MPa) with good machinability and weldability. The default for machine frames, brackets, transport and load-bearing parts where stress matters more than cosmetic finish.
6082 — maximum 6000-series strength
Slightly stronger than 6061 with excellent corrosion resistance — common in European structural specifications, bridges, cranes and high-load brackets.
How to choose
- Visible + anodized + complex section → 6063-T5
- Structural + machined + welded → 6061-T6
- EN-spec structural / highest load → 6082-T6
- Solar outdoor structures → 6005A-T6 (strength + extrudability balance)
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