Aluminum 6463 · temper
Aluminum 6463-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 6463 tempers.
Solution-treated but not artificially aged — good ductility for forming, then can be aged to T6 by the fabricator.
What is 6463-T4?
6463-T4 is 6463 in the T4 temper — solution-treated but not artificially aged — good ductility for forming, then can be aged to T6 by the fabricator. 6463-T4 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 6463-T4 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).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 48 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 87% of aluminum grades
6463-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6463-T4 — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 6463 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
6463-T4 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-T4 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
6463-T4 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 190 W/m·K (109.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6463-T4 conducts electricity at 48 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 73% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6463-T4 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-T4's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 6463 tempers and conditions
6463 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 6463 overview.
- T6Highest-strength standard temper for bright trim that must also carry modest load or resist handling damage.214 MPa yield · 74 HB
- T62Re-solution-treated and artificially aged extrusion temper giving T6-level strength in bright-anodizing 6463 trim stock.214 MPa yield · 74 HB
- T5Standard economical architectural temper: press-quenched then aged, best combination of thin-wall dimensional stability, brightness and moderate strength.145 MPa yield · 60 HB
- T1Softest supplied temper — pick it when the profile must be bent, roll-formed or crimped after extrusion.90 MPa yield · 42 HB
- T4Solution-treated but not artificially aged — good ductility for forming, then can be aged to T6 by the fabricator.90 MPa yield · 48 HB
Working with 6463-T4
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.
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.
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 | — |
6463-T4 — frequently asked
What is 6463-T4 used for?
6463-T4 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-T4?
6463-T4 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6463-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
6463-T4 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6463-T4?
Yes — 6463-T4 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
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.