Aluminum Extrusion Profiles Guide: 6063 vs 6061 Alloy, T5 and T6 Tempers Explained for Buyers
2026/10/12
Aluminum Extrusion Profiles: Choosing the Right Alloy
Aluminum extrusion is one of the most flexible ways to create strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant parts. For global buyers, the two alloys you will see most often are 6063 and 6061. Knowing the difference helps you specify the right profile for the right job, control cost and avoid quality problems later in production.
6063 vs 6061: Quick Comparison
| Property | 6063 | 6061 |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium | Higher |
| Surface finish | Excellent, smooth | Good |
| Anodizing quality | Outstanding | Good |
| Weldability | Good | Good |
| Machinability | Very good | Excellent |
| Best for | Windows, doors, decoration | Structural, load-bearing parts |
Understanding Tempers: T5 and T6
A temper tells you how the alloy was strengthened. T5 is cooled after extrusion and then artificially aged, giving a good balance of strength and surface quality. T6 is solution heat treated and aged, delivering higher strength for demanding structural use. Choose T5 for architectural profiles where appearance matters, and T6 where mechanical performance is the priority.
Typical Applications
- 6063-T5: window and door frames, curtain walls, handrails, heat sinks, furniture.
- 6061-T6: structural frames, machine parts, truck bodies, bicycle frames, brackets.
What You Can Customize
- Shape: custom dies for standard or complex cross-sections.
- Alloy and temper: 6063, 6061, 6005 and more, in T5 or T6.
- Surface finish: mill finish, anodized, powder coated, wood grain or polished.
- Tolerance: tight dimensional control per your drawings.
- Processing: cutting, drilling, punching, CNC and assembly.
Design Tips to Reduce Cost
Keep the wall thickness balanced and avoid extremely thin sections that are hard to extrude. Design for the smallest die that meets your strength needs, and standardize finishes across your product range. Our engineers can review your drawing and suggest small changes that lower tooling and unit cost without compromising performance.
Why Buy Extruded Profiles from Us
We operate modern extrusion lines, in-house dies and complete finishing facilities. That means one supplier for the alloy, the shape and the finish, with consistent quality and shorter lead times. Every order is inspected for dimensions, surface and mechanical properties before it ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make a new die? Yes, we support custom die design and production.
What is the MOQ for a new profile? It depends on the die size; contact us for details.
Do you offer samples? Yes, samples can be provided for approval.
Send us your drawing, alloy, temper, finish and quantity, and we will return a detailed quotation and sample plan so you can confirm the profile meets your expectations before mass production.
