Alloy 6063 (T6 temper) is the most widely specified aluminium alloy for extruded sections. It offers good corrosion resistance, excellent surface finish and is well suited to architectural, decorative and general fabrication applications. Alloy 6082 (T6 temper) contains a higher manganese and magnesium content, which increases tensile and yield strength significantly. It is the correct specification for structural applications – such as load-bearing frames, platforms and sections subject to mechanical stress – where Alloy 6063 may not provide sufficient structural performance. As a general guide: specify 6063 for appearance-critical or general-purpose applications; specify 6082 where structural strength is the primary requirement.
