Aluminum 6253
AA 6253 · UNS A96253
6253 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si sheet alloy (UNS A96253) with a zinc addition that makes it anodic to 6000-series core alloys, so it serves mainly as the cladding layer on corrosion-resistant clad sheet.
Reference datasheet — 6253 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
6253 tempers and conditions
6253 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest state — used for the cladding layer during roll bonding and for deep forming before the composite is heat treated. | 55 | 110 | 25 | 28 HB | 46 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill state of the clad layer before the composite receives its solution/ageing treatment; no guaranteed mechanical properties. | 90 | 160 | 20 | 45 HB | 46 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Intermediate strength with good remaining formability; pick when the clad panel must be bent or drawn after solution treatment. | 110 | 200 | 20 | 60 HB | 37 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Underaged variant giving better ductility and bendability than T6 with most of the strength gain; used where clad sheet is still formed after ageing. | 145 | 220 | 18 | 65 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition — full artificial ageing matched to the T6 cycle of the 2000/7000 series core it clads. | 220 | 255 | 13 | 80 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 6253?
6253 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si sheet alloy (UNS A96253) with a zinc addition that makes it anodic to 6000-series core alloys, so it serves mainly as the cladding layer on corrosion-resistant clad sheet. Supplied in O, T4, T6, T61 and F, it gives about 220 MPa yield, 255 MPa tensile, 13% elongation, 80 HB, 165 W/m·K and 40% IACS. Service tops out near 150 °C, welding removes T6 strength in the heat-affected zone, and the thin clad layer limits bend radii and stock removal. Alclad 6061 sheet is the usual alternative where higher core strength is required. 6253 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F). 6253 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 6253 used for?
- Cladding layer on Alclad sheet
- Corrosion-resistant clad sheet products
- Roofing and cladding sheet
- Architectural panel skins
- Formed sheet enclosures in outdoor atmospheres
- Clad duct and housing sheet
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 13%, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
6253 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6253-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6253 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F).
Mechanical10
6253 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
6253 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6253 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6253 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
6253's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 6253 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6253
Is 6253 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-strength 6000-series-T6 alloy — sharp polished-flute carbide, high surface speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; gummy and prone to smearing in O/T4.
Can 6253 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler, but the HAZ loses T6 strength and the Zn-rich clad layer can fume and locally lose its sacrificial character.
Can 6253 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4 and age afterwards; T6 clad sheet tolerates only generous bend radii (≈3–4 t) before the cladding cracks.
6253 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sispecified as 45–65 % of the actual magnesium content | 0.45 – 0.98 | 0.7 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Mg | 1 – 1.5 | 1.25 |
| Cr | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Zndeliberate addition to make the alloy anodic to the clad core | 1.6 – 2.4 | 2 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6253?
Anodizes and chromate-converts well (slightly darker clear film from the Zn); the alloy is intended to be left as the outer sacrificial surface, so avoid grinding the clad layer through to the core.
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 6253 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96253
How much does 6253 cost?
6253 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
6253 — frequently asked
What is 6253 used for?
6253 is typically used for cladding layer on Alclad sheet, corrosion-resistant clad sheet products, roofing and cladding sheet, architectural panel skins, formed sheet enclosures in outdoor atmospheres and clad duct and housing sheet. In short: alclad cladding-layer alloy; sacrificial corrosion surface; formable clad sheet.
What is the yield strength of 6253?
6253 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6253 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines like a medium-strength 6000-series-T6 alloy — sharp polished-flute carbide, high surface speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; gummy and prone to smearing in O/T4.
Can 6253 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler, but the HAZ loses T6 strength and the Zn-rich clad layer can fume and locally lose its sacrificial character.
What surface finishes work on 6253?
Anodizes and chromate-converts well (slightly darker clear film from the Zn); the alloy is intended to be left as the outer sacrificial surface, so avoid grinding the clad layer through to the core.
Can 6253 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4 and age afterwards; T6 clad sheet tolerates only generous bend radii (≈3–4 t) before the cladding cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6253?
6253 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 6253-T6 and 6253-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition — full artificial ageing matched to the T6 cycle of the 2000/7000 series core it clads. O: softest state — used for the cladding layer during roll bonding and for deep forming before the composite is heat treated. Yield strength is 220 MPa in T6 versus 55 MPa in O.
How much does 6253 cost?
6253 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Alclad and cladding alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate (Alclad products) — ASTM International (2021)
- FabDigit internal aluminium property compilation — FabDigit (2026)
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.