Group 6000 (AlMgSi) (Topic: 10007)

Approximately 80% of the annual world production of extrusions are made of AlMgSi-alloys.

The 6000-group contains magnesium and silicon additions of 0,3 to 1,2% each and sometimes smaller amounts of copper, chromium or manganese.

The alloys get increased strength by precipitation of Mg2Si-particles and the mechanical properties range from "soft" to those of structural steel.

The extrudability is generally very good. The alloys are weldable, they have good corrosion resistance (for some alloys even in marine atmospheres), they are well suitable for most of the common surface treatment processes (anodising, chromating, phosphating, painting, plating etc.) and they have good strength properties to above 100°C.

Typical applications range from window frames to heavily loaded structures.

The most frequently used extrusion alloys are AW-6060 and AW-6063. For structural applications AW-6082 is used.