Aluminum 6060
AA 6060 · UNS A96060 · EN AlMgSi, AlMgSi0.5 · JIS A6060
6060 (EN AW-6060, AlMgSi) is a low-alloyed, heat-treatable Al–Mg–Si extrusion alloy with lower Mg+Si than 6063/6061, giving outstanding extrudability, thin-wall and complex-hollow capability, and first-class decorative anodizing.
6060 tempers and conditions
6060 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Low-cost soft-ish extrusion temper for tube and trim that must still be bent or crimped on site. | 70 | 130 | 20 | 42 HB | 55 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose for parts that are bent, roll-formed or riveted after supply and then artificially aged (T4 → T6) for final strength. | 75 | 140 | 20 | 50 HB | 50 % IACS |
T5, stress relieved by stretching | Press-quenched-in-still-air, artificially aged extrusion temper giving slightly lower strength than forced-air T5, used for thin architectural 6060 profiles with excellent anodizing. | 110 | 150 | 9 | 50 HB | 55 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard economical press-quenched profile temper: good straightness and surface, moderate strength, still bendable. | 135 | 180 | 12 | 65 HB | 56 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and under-aged | Under-aged temper for profiles that must be bent, roll-formed or bright-anodized while keeping useful strength. | 140 | 195 | 15 | 62 HB | 53 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | The default stocked temper: full precipitation strength for structural profiles, frames and machined parts. | 170 | 215 | 12 | 75 HB | 54 % IACS |
T6 with improved mechanical properties | Highest-strength 6060 temper (special ageing/process control) for load-bearing window and curtain-wall profiles. | 185 | 230 | 10 | 80 HB | 53 % IACS |
What is 6060?
6060 (EN AW-6060, AlMgSi) is a low-alloyed, heat-treatable Al–Mg–Si extrusion alloy with lower Mg+Si than 6063/6061, giving outstanding extrudability, thin-wall and complex-hollow capability, and first-class decorative anodizing. It is the European standard alloy for architectural window/door profiles, trim, heat-sink and general profile work where surface quality and formability matter more than strength. Main limits: modest strength (Rp0.2 typically 120–190 MPa depending on temper), strength loss above ~150 °C, and reduced properties in the HAZ after welding. 6060 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 600°C (1,112 °F). 6060 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6060 used for?
- LED and lighting housings
- Architectural window and door extrusions
- Decorative trim and cover profiles
- Heat sink profiles
- Enclosure and cabinet frames
- Handrail and partition sections
- Furniture and display profiles
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
6060 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6060 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 600°C (1,112 °F).
Mechanical12
6060 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6060 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6060 conducts electricity at 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6060 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
6060's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (55/100).
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. 6060 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6060
Is 6060 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy in soft tempers — use polished-flute, high-rake carbide tools, 300–1000 m/min, generous flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge; machine in T5/T6 for best finish.
Can 6060 be welded?
Very good with GMAW/GTAW (ER4043 for crack resistance, ER5356 for colour-matched anodizing) and readily FSW-able; expect HAZ strength to drop toward T4/O values unless post-weld aged.
Can 6060 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding extrudability (thin walls, complex hollows, high press speeds); bend and roll-form in O/T4/T64, avoid tight radii in T6/T66; T4 material can be formed then aged to T6.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 6060. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent90 / 100 |
6060 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 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Fedeliberate Fe range for grain/surface control | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mg | 0.35 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)total others max 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alremainder, ≥98.4 % typical | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6060?
Best-in-class decorative and bright anodizing (clear, colour and electrolytic bronze); also takes powder coat over chromate-free pretreatment, and mechanical brushing/polishing before anodize.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 6060 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96060
- Aluminum Association
- AA6060
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlMgSiAlMgSi0.5AW-60603.3206
- JIS
- A6060
How much does 6060 cost?
6060 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6060 — frequently asked
What is 6060 used for?
6060 is typically used for LED and lighting housings, architectural window and door extrusions, decorative trim and cover profiles, heat sink profiles, enclosure and cabinet frames and handrail and partition sections. In short: superior corrosion resistance; smooth.
What is the yield strength of 6060?
6060 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 6060 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy in soft tempers — use polished-flute, high-rake carbide tools, 300–1000 m/min, generous flood or MQL to avoid built-up edge; machine in T5/T6 for best finish.
Can 6060 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Very good with GMAW/GTAW (ER4043 for crack resistance, ER5356 for colour-matched anodizing) and readily FSW-able; expect HAZ strength to drop toward T4/O values unless post-weld aged.
What surface finishes work on 6060?
Best-in-class decorative and bright anodizing (clear, colour and electrolytic bronze); also takes powder coat over chromate-free pretreatment, and mechanical brushing/polishing before anodize.
Can 6060 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding extrudability (thin walls, complex hollows, high press speeds); bend and roll-form in O/T4/T64, avoid tight radii in T6/T66; T4 material can be formed then aged to T6.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6060?
6060 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6060 cost?
6060 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6060?
Yes — 6060 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 1999-1-1 Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures — CEN (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Extrusion alloy AA6060 / EN AW-6060 profile datasheets — Hydro / Constellium (2022)
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.