Aluminum 6003
AA 6003 · UNS A96003 · EN AW-6003, AlMg1Si0.5Cu
6003 (A96003, EN AW-6003, AlMg1Si0.5Cu) is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy hardened by Mg2Si precipitation with a small copper addition.
Reference datasheet — 6003 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T6 condition
6003 tempers and conditions
6003 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest, most formable condition for severe bending or deep drawing before ageing. | 55 | 115 | 26 | 30 HB | 50 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill/as-extruded state with no property guarantee; used when the part will be heat treated or is non-structural. | 85 | 150 | 18 | 45 HB | 47 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Press-quench-free profiles that will be bent or joined then optionally aged; low-cost intermediate strength. | 95 | 170 | 18 | 50 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Formable pre-aged condition for profiles that must be bent or stretch-formed, then artificially aged to T6. | 100 | 185 | 20 | 55 HB | 41 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | The economical architectural temper: press-quenched and aged, good strength with minimal distortion. | 170 | 205 | 12 | 65 HB | 47 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Slightly under-aged T6 when profiles must still be bent or roll-formed after ageing. | 180 | 220 | 13 | 70 HB | 44 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Default full-strength condition for structural window, door and framing profiles. | 205 | 240 | 10 | 75 HB | 45 % IACS |
T6 with improved mechanical properties | Controlled-practice ageing giving the highest guaranteed strength for structural window/door sections. | 220 | 255 | 8 | 80 HB | 46 % IACS |
What is 6003?
6003 (A96003, EN AW-6003, AlMg1Si0.5Cu) is a medium-strength Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy hardened by Mg2Si precipitation with a small copper addition. It is specified for architectural and structural profiles that need more strength than 6060 while keeping a good anodizing response, and is supplied as extruded profile, tube and bar in F, O, T1, T4, T5, T6, T61 and T66. Default values are 205 MPa yield, 240 MPa tensile, 10% elongation, 75 HB, 45% IACS and a 150 °C service limit. It welds readily with 4043 or 5356, but the HAZ falls back toward T4 strength; 6061 is the nearest higher-strength alternative. 6003 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F). 6003 has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6003 used for?
- window and door frames
- structural profiles
- ladders
- railings
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6003 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6003-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6003 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F).
Mechanical13
6003 has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6003 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 175 W/m·K (101.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6003 conducts electricity at 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6003 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
6003's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (50/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 6003 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6003
Is 6003 easy to machine?
Machines like 6061-T6 but slightly gummier in T5; use polished-flute carbide, high rake, 300–1000 m/min and flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge.
Can 6003 be welded?
Readily GMAW/GTAW welded with ER4043 (crack-safe) or ER5356 (colour-match for anodizing); expect HAZ strength to fall to about T4 level unless re-aged.
Can 6003 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes at moderate press speeds with press quenching to T5; bend in O/T4/T61 where possible — T6 needs bend radii of roughly 3–4× thickness.
6003 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 0.35 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.8 | 0.15 |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.35 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6003?
Excellent clear and colour anodizing and electrophoretic/powder coating for architectural service; mechanical polishing is fair — the Mn/Fe intermetallics can streak on bright-dip.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6003 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96003
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6003AlMg1Si0.5Cu
How much does 6003 cost?
6003 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6003 — frequently asked
What is 6003 used for?
6003 is typically used for window and door frames, structural profiles, ladders and railings. In short: stronger than 6060 extrusions; good architectural anodizing; balanced strength and formability.
What is the yield strength of 6003?
6003 has a typical yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — stronger than 54% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 6003 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines like 6061-T6 but slightly gummier in T5; use polished-flute carbide, high rake, 300–1000 m/min and flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge.
Can 6003 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily GMAW/GTAW welded with ER4043 (crack-safe) or ER5356 (colour-match for anodizing); expect HAZ strength to fall to about T4 level unless re-aged.
What surface finishes work on 6003?
Excellent clear and colour anodizing and electrophoretic/powder coating for architectural service; mechanical polishing is fair — the Mn/Fe intermetallics can streak on bright-dip.
Can 6003 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes at moderate press speeds with press quenching to T5; bend in O/T4/T61 where possible — T6 needs bend radii of roughly 3–4× thickness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6003?
6003 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 6003-T6 and 6003-O?
T6 is the default condition — default full-strength condition for structural window, door and framing profiles. O: softest, most formable condition for severe bending or deep drawing before ageing. Yield strength is 205 MPa in T6 versus 55 MPa in O.
How much does 6003 cost?
6003 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 / EN 755-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and mechanical properties of extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.