6061, 6063 Aluminum Steel Alloy

Grades ＆ Element

Introduction

Material

Aluminum vs Stainless Steel

6061 vs 6063

Aluminum Alloy

The density of aluminum steel alloy is low, so the weight is light, which makes it in aviation, automotive and other areas that need to reduce mass has a great advantage. At the same time, it also has high strength and hardness, and can withstand greater external forces. In addition, the corrosion resistance of this alloy is also strong, and it can maintain good performance even in wet or corrosive environments.

Model NO.: 1000-8000 Series

Certification: ISO9001

Standard: ASTM, JIS, GB, EN, etc.

Technique: Cold Drawn or Customized

Type: aluminum alloy sheet metal, coil, pipe, etc.

Surface Treatment: Embossed, Color Coated, etc.

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Aluminum Alloy Material

1000 Series

1050 1060 1070 1070A 1100 1050A 1200 1235 1085 1035

2000 Series

2014 2024 2A13 2A12 2017 2A05 2A70 2A80 2A90 2A02 2A06 2A16 2A11 2A12

3000 Series

3003 3004 3005 3103 3104 31053 A21 3A12

4000 Series

4004 4101 4343 4047 4045

5000 Series

5A02 5A03 5A05 5A06 5A12 5083 5086 5182 5251 5052 5752 5754 5454 5005 5042 5051 5063

6000 Series

6061 6063 6005A 6013 6082 6005 6M61 6M63 6Y13 6025 6A02 6082

7000 Series

7075 7072 7050 7A04 7005 7A09 7020 7A16

8000 Series

8011 8A06

Aluminum or Stainless Steel | Which is Better

Corrosion Resistance: Mechanisms and Performance

Stainless Steel: Derives corrosion resistance primarily from a passive chromium oxide (Cr2O3) layer that forms spontaneously in the presence of oxygen (typically requiring >10.5% Cr, often 16-18% in common grades like 304). This layer is highly stable and self-repairing. Grades like 316 include molybdenum for enhanced resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, particularly in chloride environments (e.g., marine, chemical processing). It resists a wide range of acids, alkalis, and organic compounds, though susceptibility varies significantly by grade and concentration/temperature.
Aluminum: Also forms a protective passive oxide layer (Al2O3). This layer provides excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion and many chemicals, particularly oxidizing acids. However, it is susceptible to galvanic corrosion when coupled with more noble metals (like stainless steel) in an electrolyte. It is vulnerable to pitting and crevice corrosion in halide-containing environments (especially chlorides). Aluminum also suffers from alkaline corrosion at high pH and acid corrosion in strong non-oxidizing acids. Anodizing significantly enhances corrosion resistance and surface hardness.

Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Stainless Steel: Is a poor conductor of both heat and electricity compared to most metals. Thermal conductivity is very low (e.g., 304 SS: ~15-20 W/m·K). This makes it suitable for applications requiring thermal insulation (e.g., exhaust components) or where controlled heat flow is needed. Electrical resistivity is high, making it unsuitable for efficient electrical conduction. Austenitic grades (like 304/316) are essentially non-magnetic in the annealed state.
Aluminum: Excels as an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity. Its thermal conductivity is very high (e.g., 6061 Al: ~170 W/m·K, over 10x that of 304 SS), making it ideal for heat sinks, heat exchangers, and cookware. Its electrical conductivity is approximately 60% that of copper (pure Al ~35 MS/m), making it the dominant material for power transmission lines and electrical busbars. Aluminum is non-magnetic.

Manufacturability and Cost Considerations

Stainless Steel: Generally more difficult and costly to machine due to high strength, work hardening tendency (especially austenitic grades like 304), and abrasiveness, leading to significant tool wear. Requires rigid setups, slower speeds, and specialized tooling/coolants. It can be formed and welded but often requires more force/power than aluminum. Welding demands careful procedure control to avoid sensitization (chromium carbide precipitation leading to reduced corrosion resistance) and distortion. Material cost per unit weight is typically higher than aluminum, though lifecycle cost can be favorable in demanding applications.
Aluminum: Renowned for its excellent machinability (especially free-machining alloys like 2011/6020); it cuts easily at high speeds with lower tool wear. It possesses superior formability at room temperature, allowing complex shapes via bending, stamping, and deep drawing. Welding is generally easier than stainless steel using techniques like GMAW (MIG) or GTAW (TIG), though heat-treatable alloys require post-weld heat treatment for full strength recovery. Material cost per unit weight is generally lower than stainless steel, but achieving equivalent stiffness often requires larger cross-sections, potentially offsetting some weight/cost savings. Surface finishing (anodizing, painting) is common and effective.

Conclusion

There is no single "better" material; the optimal choice depends entirely on the specific application requirements. Stainless steel is the superior choice for demanding environments requiring high strength, extreme durability, exceptional corrosion resistance, and high-temperature stability.
Aluminum excels where weight savings, thermal/electrical conductivity, and ease of fabrication are paramount, provided the corrosion environment is compatible.

Aluminum Alloy 6061 vs 6063

There are significant differences between aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063 in terms of composition, mechanical properties and application fields. The former has higher strength and better heat treatment performance, and is suitable for occasions that need to bear large loads. The latter, on the other hand, has better processing performance and corrosion resistance, and is suitable for the construction and decoration fields.

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Component

6061: 0.5% - 1.1% of magnesium, silicon 0.4% 0.8%, copper 0.15% 0.4%, chromium 0.04% 0.35%, zinc 0.25%, 0.04%, titanium iron by 0.7%.
6063: Its composition is slightly different from that of 6061, such as 0.45%-0.9% magnesium and 0.2%-0.6% silicon.

Mechanical property

6061: It has medium strength, good corrosion resistance, weldability and processability.
6063: It has excellent processing performance and good corrosion resistance, but its strength is relatively low.

Application field

6061: Widely used in the fields of automobiles, aircraft, ships, construction, machinery, etc. It is particularly suitable for manufacturing structural components and parts that need to withstand large loads.
6063: Mainly used in building doors and Windows, curtain walls, furniture, pipes, etc. Due to its excellent processing performance and corrosion resistance, it is also often used to manufacture various decorative components.

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Aluminum Steel Alloy

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Aluminum Alloy Grade			Element
ANSI	ASTM	UNS	Si	Fe	Cu	Mn	Mg	Ni	Zn	Sn	Ti
360.0	SG100B	A03600	9.0-10.0	2.0	0.6	0.35	0.6	0.50	0.50	0.15
A360.0	SG100A	A13600	9.0-10.0	1.3	0.6	0.35	0.6	0.50	0.50	0.15
380.0	SC84B	A03800	7.5-9.5	2.0	3.0-4.0	0.50	0.1	0.50	3.0	0.35
A380.0E	SC84A	A13800	7.5-9.5	1.3	3.0-4.0	0.50	0.1	0.50	3.0	0.35
383.0E	SC102A	A03830	9.5-11.5	1.3	2.0-3.0	0.50	0.1	0.30	3.0	0.15
384.0E	SC114A	A03840	10.5-12.0	1.3	3.0-4.5	0.50	0.1	0.50	3.0	0.35
390.0	SC174A	A03900	16.0-18.0	1.3	4.0-5.0	0.10	0.65		0.10		0.20
B390.0	SC174B	A23900	16.0-18.0	1.3	4.0-5.0	0.50	0.65	0.10	1.5		0.10
392.0	S19	A03920	18.0-20.0	1.5	0.4-0.8	0.2-0.6	1.20	0.50	0.50	0.30	0.20
413.0	S12B	A04130	11.0-13.0	2.0	1.0	0.35	0.10	0.50	0.50	0.15
A413.0	S12A	A14130	11.0-13.0	1.3	1.0	0.35	0.10	0.50	0.50	0.15
C433.0	SSC	A34430	4.5-6.0	2.0	0.6	0.35	0.10	0.50	0.50	0.15
518.0	G8A	A05180	0.35	1.8	0.25	0.35	8.5	0.15	0.15	0.25