Aluminium ENAW-6063 Pipes, Tubing & Tube (6063 - T6)

Product Description

When ordering or specifying EN AW-6063 T6 aluminum pipes and tubing, you are selecting the material in its maximum strength condition. The T6 temper means the alloy has been solution heat-treated and then artificially aged in an oven to precipitate magnesium-silicide ($Mg_2Si$) uniformly throughout the aluminum matrix, locking in its structural properties.

Technical Standards Compliance

In Europe and international trade, EN AW-6063 T6 pipes and tubes are certified under the following European Norms (EN):

• EN 573-3: Verifies the strict chemical composition limits.

• EN 755-2: Dictates the mechanical property mandates for extruded profiles and tubes.

• EN 755-7 / 755-8: Governs dimensional tolerances for seamless vs. porthole extruded tubing.

Mechanical Properties: EN AW-6063 T6

The T6 temper significantly increases the yield strength compared to the baseline or naturally aged (T4) states. For pipes and tubes with a wall thickness up to 10 mm, the standard mechanical limits are:

• Tensile Strength ($R_m$): $\ge 215 \text{ MPa}$

• Yield Strength ($R_{p0.2}$): $\ge 170 \text{ MPa}$

• Minimum Elongation ($A_{50mm}$): $\ge 8\%$

• Typical Hardness: $\approx 75 \text{ to } 85 \text{ HBW}$ (Brinell)

Physical Properties of 6063-T6

These intrinsic properties are highly reliable for thermal and electrical engineering calculations:

Processing and Fabrication Considerations for T6 Tubing

1. Bending and Forming Limits

Because the T6 temper maximizes hardness and yield strength, its remaining elongation is lower (around 8–10%).

• The Risk: Sharp or tight-radius bending of a T6 tube can cause orange-peeling, wrinkling, or cracking on the outer tension wall.

• The Solution: For complex or tight bends, specify a T4 temper (which bends easily), perform the mechanical forming, and then artificially age the completed part to the T6 condition.

2. Welding Constraints (The HAZ Effect)

6063-T6 is highly weldable using GTAW (TIG) or GMAW (MIG) methods with 4043 or 5356 filler wires.

The structural catch: The intense heat of welding acts as a localized annealing process. This creates a Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) surrounding the weld joint where the material properties drop back down significantly toward the T4 state, losing up to 30–40% of its yield strength. Structural designs must offset this reduction at the joints.

3. Machining

The T6 temper makes the metal far less "gummy" than softer tempers. It drills, cuts, and mills cleanly, producing crisper, more manageable chips when fabricating manifolds, ports, or brackets out of heavy-walled tubing.

Common Wall Thicknesses and Stock Dimensions

EN AW-6063 T6 tubing is typically stocked in three main profiles across industrial suppliers:

• Round Pipe/Tube: Ideal for fluid transmission, architectural handrails, and low-pressure conduit.

• Square Tubing: Extensively used for modular framing, balustrades, and structural shop fittings.

• Rectangular Tubing: Frequently utilized for architectural curtain walls, lintels, and vehicle chassis frames.