Chemical composition of aluminum alloys 6060, 6063 and AD31
There are eight types of wrought aluminum alloys in the international designation system: 1xxx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx and 8xxx. The belonging of an aluminum alloy to a particular group is determined by the alloying system.
Today type 6xxx is the most demanded in the world - over 80% of all extruded profiles are made from alloys of this particular series. This popularity is explained by the fact that aluminum-magnesium alloys of this group are relatively easy to press and quenched at once in the press, while their maximum strength is achieved.
Aluminum alloys of this section, which includes aluminum alloys 6060, 6063 and AD31, have in their composition an optimal balance of the ratio between magnesium and silicon.
The degree of strength of the mentioned aluminum alloys is determined by the amount, size and uniformity of distribution of magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) in aluminum, which, in turn, is determined by the chemical composition of the alloy and the efficiency of heat hardening of the profiles - quenching and ageing.
Alloy grade | GOST | Mass fraction of elements | ||||||||
Silicon | Iron | Copper | Manganese | Magnesium | Chromium | Zinc | Titanium | Aluminum | ||
АD31 | GOST4784-97 after 2000 y. | 0,2 - 0,6 | 0,5 | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,45 – 0,9 | 0,1 | 0,2 | 0,15 | The rest |
AD31 | GOST 22233-2001 | 0,2 - 0,6 | 0,35 | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,45 - 0,90 | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,1 | The rest |
6060 | EN-573-3:2013 | 0,3 - 0,6 | 0,10 - 0,30 | 0,1 | 0,1 | 0,35 - 0,60 | 0,05 | 0,15 | 0,1 | The rest |
6063 | EN-573-3:2013 | 0,3 - 0,6 | 0,15 - 0,35 | 0,1 | 0,15 | 0,60 - 0,90 | 0,05 | 0,15 | 0,1 | The rest |
In the United States, the so-called "American" aluminum alloy 6063, which was developed in the 1930s, is now widely used, while Europe prefers its "European" analogue - alloy 6060, which appeared in the 90s.
The AD31 aluminum alloy was developed (or borrowed) by specialists from the USSR in the same 1930s. Its chemical composition is determined by GOST 4784-97 and until 2000 the alloys AD31 and 6063 were identical. Since 2000, changes have been made to the composition of the AD31 alloy by GOST 4784-97, in particular, the tolerances for impurities, primarily for iron (from 0.35 to 0.5), have been significantly expanded, so the aluminum alloy AD31 has ceased to be an absolute analogue of the alloy 6063.
