Aluminum 6463
AA 6463 · UNS A96463 · EN AW-6463, AW 6463
6463 is an Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy chemically close to 6063 but with tightly restricted iron, manganese and chromium so that extrusions take a mirror-bright chemical/electro-brightened and anodized finish.
6463 tempers and conditions
6463 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooled from hot working and naturally aged | Softest supplied temper — pick it when the profile must be bent, roll-formed or crimped after extrusion. | 90 | 150 | 20 | 42 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Solution-treated but not artificially aged — good ductility for forming, then can be aged to T6 by the fabricator. | 90 | 175 | 22 | 48 HB | 48 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Standard economical architectural temper: press-quenched then aged, best combination of thin-wall dimensional stability, brightness and moderate strength. | 145 | 185 | 12 | 60 HB | 53 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Highest-strength standard temper for bright trim that must also carry modest load or resist handling damage. | 214 | 240 | 12 | 74 HB | 50 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Re-solution-treated and artificially aged extrusion temper giving T6-level strength in bright-anodizing 6463 trim stock. | 214 | 240 | 12 | 74 HB | 50 % IACS |
What is 6463?
6463 is an Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy chemically close to 6063 but with tightly restricted iron, manganese and chromium so that extrusions take a mirror-bright chemical/electro-brightened and anodized finish. It is chosen for decorative architectural trim, appliance and automotive bright mouldings, and lighting reflectors where surface appearance matters more than strength. Strength is moderate (comparable to 6063), the low-Fe chemistry makes it more extrusion-speed and grain-growth sensitive, and it is not used for structural or highly loaded parts. 6463 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F). 6463 has a yield strength of 214 MPa (31 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
What is 6463 used for?
- Architectural bright trim
- Automotive bright mouldings
- Appliance trim and bezels
- Lighting reflectors
- Decorative anodized extruded profiles
- Bright-finish frames and edge strips
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
6463 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
6463 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 615°C (1,139 °F).
Mechanical10
6463 has a yield strength of 214 MPa (31 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
6463 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
6463 conducts electricity at 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 73% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6463 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability6
6463's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 63% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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. 6463 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6463
Is 6463 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy in F/T1 — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous lubrication and avoid burnishing marks on surfaces to be brightened.
Can 6463 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler, but weld zones anodize a different shade so welds should be hidden or the whole part refinished.
Can 6463 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes at high speed into thin decorative sections; bend and roll-form in F/T1/T4 and age afterwards, since T6 has limited bend radius capability.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6463. Every 6463 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better52 / 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 | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better85 / 100 |
6463 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 | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Ferestricted for bright finish | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | 0.02 |
| Mnrestricted to avoid finish streaking | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Mg | 0.45 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Creffectively excluded for brightness | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6463?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening followed by clear or coloured anodizing to a mirror finish; mechanical polishing and buffing also give excellent specularity.
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 6463 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A96463
- Aluminum Association
- AA6463
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-6463AW 6463
How much does 6463 cost?
6463 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6463 — frequently asked
What is 6463 used for?
6463 is typically used for architectural bright trim, automotive bright mouldings, appliance trim and bezels, lighting reflectors, decorative anodized extruded profiles and bright-finish frames and edge strips. In short: bright anodizing extrusion.
What is the yield strength of 6463?
6463 has a typical yield strength of 214 MPa (31 ksi) and a tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6463 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 63% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy in F/T1 — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, generous lubrication and avoid burnishing marks on surfaces to be brightened.
Can 6463 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler, but weld zones anodize a different shade so welds should be hidden or the whole part refinished.
What surface finishes work on 6463?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening followed by clear or coloured anodizing to a mirror finish; mechanical polishing and buffing also give excellent specularity.
Can 6463 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes at high speed into thin decorative sections; bend and roll-form in F/T1/T4 and age afterwards, since T6 has limited bend radius capability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6463?
6463 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6463 cost?
6463 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), 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 6463?
Yes — 6463 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- ASTM B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (mechanical property tables for 6463) — The Aluminum Association (2017)
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.