# 6060 aluminum

6060 extrusion identity, temper and wall-thickness property limits, finish selection and fabricated-service considerations.

Reviewed: 2026-11-01

Tags: materials, aluminum, extrusions

## Alloy identity and application

For **6060-T6 with 3 mm walls and an 8 mm web**, Hydro's European table (Rev. 4, March 2023, EN 755-2:2016) gives **140 MPa minimum proof stress and 170 MPa minimum tensile strength** for the whole profile. The walls and web straddle **5 mm**, so the lowest values govern. The thin-wall row gives **150/190 MPa**. [Hydro European profile data](https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/08-about-hydro/hydro-worldwide/austria/nenzing/alloy-data-sheets/hydro-en-aw-6060.pdf)

6060 is a wrought aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloy. The Aluminum Association's **Teal Sheets, revised December 2025**, specify silicon at 0.30–0.60%, magnesium at 0.35–0.60% and iron at 0.10–0.30% by mass. The registered composition identifies the alloy; it does not establish temper, extrusion dimensions or finished-part strength. [Aluminum Association, Teal Sheets, 6060 entry](https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/Teal%20Sheets%20December%202025.pdf)

Hydro describes 6060 as a moderate-strength extrusion choice for architectural and visible applications where anodizing and appearance matter. Higher mechanical demands may favor another alloy, but that choice still depends on the complete profile and design. Do not substitute 6063, 6061 or 6082 solely because their application lists overlap. [Hydro, 6060 alloy](https://www.hydro.com/en/global/aluminium/products/extruded-profiles/alloys-for-extruded-profiles/6060-alloy/)

Specify **alloy + temper + product form + cross-section/dimensions + tolerances + standard/edition + finish + inspection requirements**. For custom sections, preserve the drawing revision, wall-thickness distribution and critical surface designations. “6060 aluminum profile” alone does not define a load-rated component or an accepted cosmetic finish.

## Temper and extrusion route

Hydro distinguishes naturally aged T4, artificially aged T5/T6 and higher-property T66 achieved through special process control. Preserve the complete temper designation. [Hydro EN AW-6060 extrusion datasheet, Revision 4, March 2023, p. 1](https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/08-about-hydro/hydro-worldwide/austria/nenzing/alloy-data-sheets/hydro-en-aw-6060.pdf)

Temper is not a universal furnace recipe. Extrusion geometry, cooling, subsequent deformation and aging affect the result. A section ordered for bending may require a different route from one delivered for maximum supplied strength. Agree the forming condition and final acceptance condition before manufacturing, including any aging after bending.

Do not describe T66 as a different alloy or assume that changing a purchase description from T6 to T66 preserves forming behavior, availability and tolerances. Keep the actual supply route and any subsequent thermal processing in the material record.

## Strength limits depend on wall thickness

Hydro's Revision 4 datasheet cites EN 755-2:2016 for extruded profiles and gives minima unless otherwise indicated:

| Temper | Wall thickness t | 0.2% proof strength, minimum | Tensile strength, minimum |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| T6 | t ≤ 5 mm | 150 MPa | 190 MPa |
| T6 | 5 < t ≤ 25 mm | 140 MPa | 170 MPa |
| T66 | t ≤ 5 mm | 160 MPa | 215 MPa |
| T66 | 5 < t ≤ 25 mm | 150 MPa | 195 MPa |

For mixed thicknesses spanning bands, the lowest values govern the section. Hardness is informational. [Hydro 6060 datasheet, p. 1 and footnotes](https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/08-about-hydro/hydro-worldwide/austria/nenzing/alloy-data-sheets/hydro-en-aw-6060.pdf)

Alumeco's separate profiles datasheet references EN 755 for delivery, mechanical properties and dimensional/form tolerances. It includes different product groups and size descriptions. Read those headings before comparing numbers: a rod/bar diameter limit is not the same variable as a tube or profile wall thickness. The retrieved sheet shows no printed revision date. [Alumeco EN AW-6060 profiles datasheet](https://www.alumeco.com/media/zgdpazp4/6060-profiles.pdf)

For acceptance, verify the current ordered specification, exact dimension band, tensile direction, specimen provisions and certificate. Do not average conflicting supplier summaries or use a typical hardness to demonstrate compliance with tensile minima. A measured batch result, specification minimum and design allowable are different records.

## Typical physical properties

Hydro lists typical values at 20°C: density 2.70 g/cm³, modulus 69 GPa and T6 conductivity 200 W/(m·K). They are not acceptance limits. [Hydro 6060 datasheet, p. 2](https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/08-about-hydro/hydro-worldwide/austria/nenzing/alloy-data-sheets/hydro-en-aw-6060.pdf)

**Calculated mass example:** a constant section with metal area 400 mm² has volume 0.0004 m³ per metre. Using 2,700 kg/m³ gives **1.08 kg/m** nominal mass. This excludes dimensional tolerances, finishes, machining, end cuts and attachments. Use actual mass where shipping or inventory accuracy requires it.

For a heat sink, conductivity alone does not establish cooling capacity: geometry, airflow, interfaces, heat load and operating conditions belong in the thermal design. For a structural member, modulus and tensile strength alone do not establish buckling, fatigue, joint or deflection performance.

## Forming and surface finish

Alumeco rates bending as temper dependent and distinguishes it from deep drawing and other cold-forming operations. Treat such qualitative ratings as selection guidance rather than a universal radius or press setting. [Alumeco 6060 profiles, cold formability](https://www.alumeco.com/media/zgdpazp4/6060-profiles.pdf)

Qualify the actual bend on the intended section, orientation, tooling and temper. Thin walls, asymmetric webs and hollow cavities require assessment for distortion and local damage. Specify dimensional and visual acceptance after forming and after any final aging or surface treatment.

Hydro emphasizes 6060 for visible/anodized profiles. That suitability does not guarantee a particular gloss, color match or absence of visible extrusion features. Agree the visible surfaces, pretreatment, coating/anodizing system and acceptance sample with the finisher. Protect critical surfaces through cutting, handling and assembly. [Hydro 6060 selection guidance](https://www.hydro.com/en/global/aluminium/products/extruded-profiles/alloys-for-extruded-profiles/6060-alloy/)

When comparing suppliers or production lots, preserve finish and process conditions as well as alloy identity. A successful sample with one pretreatment and surface texture does not qualify every finish sold under the same alloy designation.

## Welding and heat-affected-zone limits

Hydro's welding guidance explains that fusion welding reduces strength locally in heat-treated aluminum. Separate weld metal, heat-affected zone and unaffected parent; a T6 extrusion certificate does not establish the strength of a welded frame throughout. [Hydro, aluminum welding rods and HAZ behavior](https://www.hydro.com/us/us/aluminum/products/extruded-profiles/north-america-resources/extruded-aluminum-products/aluminum-rod/aluminum-welding-rods/)

Select filler and procedure for both joined alloys and the required service, surface treatment and final properties. Include joint preparation, distortion control and inspection. Do not prescribe a universal filler or assume decorative anodizing will make a weld visually indistinguishable from the extrusion.

If post-weld heat treatment is proposed, assess the complete assembly and process qualification. Heating is not automatic restoration of the original temper, and the resulting geometry and corrosion performance still require acceptance.

## Corrosion and service boundaries

Alumeco describes good atmospheric corrosion resistance and lists construction, automotive, marine/offshore and anodizing uses. These are application categories, not proof of marine approval, food-contact compliance or chemical compatibility for a particular assembly. [Alumeco 6060 application and resistance guidance](https://www.alumeco.com/media/zgdpazp4/6060-profiles.pdf)

Evaluate moisture retention, drainage, crevices, dissimilar-metal contact, cleaning chemicals and coating damage in the actual environment. Obtain application-specific evidence for immersion, aggressive chemicals, elevated temperature or safety-critical loading. A room-temperature property table does not define a continuous-service temperature rating.

## Traceable release

Retain lot identity, profile drawing, supplied temper, inspection results and finish requirements through fabrication. Record major forming, welding and heating operations. For an agent-readable property record, store **source edition, alloy, temper, product form, dimension band, direction and value status** so catalog guidance cannot silently become a guaranteed finished-part capability.

## Related reference

[Grades, tempers and conditions](../grades-tempers-and-conditions.md)