6061 Aluminum Tubing is extruded seamless drawn tubing manufactured from 6061 aluminum alloy, belonging to the Al-Mg-Si aluminum alloy series. Also referred to as 6061 aluminum pipe in some applications, our tubing serves structural, industrial, and decorative needs. It is commonly available in round, square, and rectangular cross-sections. Unlike ERW steel pipes, it has no weld seam. It features light weight and good corrosion resistance, and its hardness can be enhanced by heat treatment.
Glory Steel is a professional manufacturer and supplier of 6061 Aluminum Tubing in China. We support various heat treatment conditions including T6, and provide full services of mechanical processing and powder coating.
Specifications
| Item | 6061 Aluminum Tubing |
|---|---|
| Material | 6061 Aluminum Alloy (Al-Mg-Si) |
| Temper | T6, T4, O |
| Cross Section | Round tube, square tube, rectangular tube |
| Length | 1–12 meters |
| Surface Finish | Bright, brushed, matte, matte black anodizing, powder coating |
| MOQ | 10 Tons |
| Standards | ASTM B221, EN755-9 |
| Packaging | Standard export packing |
Material Introduction of 6061 Aluminum Tubing
6061 aluminum alloy has multiple heat treatment tempers. The material reaches maximum strength under T6 heat treatment. Therefore, 6061 Aluminum Tubing generally refers to T6 temper by default.
1. Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 68.9 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 152~190 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 43% IACS |
2. Temper & Mechanical Properties
| Temper | Description | Min Tensile Strength | Min Yield Strength | Min Elongation | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | Annealed (fully soft) | 124 MPa (18 KSI) | 55 MPa (8 KSI) | 25% | 30 |
| T4 | Solution heat treated + naturally aged | 241 MPa (35 KSI) | 145 MPa (21 KSI) | 22% | 65 |
| T6 | Solution heat treated + artificially aged | 310 MPa (45 KSI) | 276 MPa (40 KSI) | 12% | 95 |
3. Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Al (Aluminum) | Remainder |
| Mg (Magnesium) | 0.80 ~ 1.20 |
| Si (Silicon) | 0.40 ~ 0.80 |
| Cu (Copper) | 0.15 ~ 0.40 |
| Cr (Chromium) | 0.04 ~ 0.35 |
Other elements: Fe ≤0.70%, Mn ≤0.15%, Zn ≤0.25%, Ti ≤0.15%, each other single element ≤0.05%, total other elements ≤0.15%.
Product Features
- High strength-to-weight ratio: High strength with light self-weight after T6 heat treatment, obvious weight reduction effect, ideal for lightweight applications.
- Corrosion-resistant substrate: 6061 base material resists atmospheric corrosion. Anodizing further improves corrosion resistance and wear resistance. It also has good electrical and thermal conductivity.
- Excellent machinability: Preferred alloy for welding or brazing, good formability. Hot extrusion can produce special profiles besides regular cross-sections.
- Cost-effective: Lower cost than high-alloy 7075 aluminum tube. After anodizing, colors like silver white, bronze, gold, and wood grain can be achieved for decorative purposes.
Common Sizes & Theoretical Weight
| Cross Section | Size (inch) | Wall Thickness (inch) | Theoretical Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Tube | 1/2″ OD | 0.035″ | 0.031 |
| Round Tube | 3/4″ OD | 0.049″ | 0.058 |
| Round Tube | 1″ OD | 0.065″ | 0.105 |
| Round Tube | 1″ OD | 0.125″ | 0.188 |
| Round Tube | 1-1/2″ OD | 0.065″ | 0.163 |
| Round Tube | 1-1/2″ OD | 0.125″ | 0.298 |
| Round Tube | 2″ OD | 0.065″ | — |
| Square Tube | 1″ × 1″ | 0.062″ | — |
| Square Tube | 1″ × 1″ | 0.125″ | — |
| Square Tube | 2″ × 2″ | 0.125″ | — |
| Rectangular Tube | 2″ × 4″ | 0.125″ | — |
Application Fields
- Aerospace: Light alloy structural material for aircraft and aerospace equipment such as rockets.
- Transportation: Anti-collision beams and frames for trains, maglev trains, automobiles and bicycles, e.g., CNC pre-bent 6061 aluminum tubes.
- Construction & Civil Use: Frames for windows and sliding doors, decorative profiles, fishing rod, golf shaft, low-pressure fluid delivery.
- Industrial Manufacturing: Rod components for robotic arms, assembly line equipment, and fixtures for automatic sorting, fatigue and vibration resistant.
Surface Treatment Options
- Anodized Aluminum Tube: Natural and customized colors available, corrosion resistant and fingerprint resistant.
- Powder Coated Aluminum Tube: Superior weather resistance. Full color range customizable per RAL color chart, wood grain and printing patterns available.
- Polished Aluminum Tube: Mainly for decoration, mirror bright finish, widely used in yoga studios, meditation rooms and commercial clubs.
- Brushed Aluminum Tube: Uniform linear texture on surface, strong metallic texture and fingerprint resistance.
- Matte Aluminum Tube: Fine uniform matte texture, soft anti-glare effect, anti-slip, wear-resistant and good hand feel.
Brushed and matte finishes can be used as pre-treatment before anodizing to obtain surfaces with both texture and corrosion resistance.
FAQ
Q1: What is the difference between 6061 and 6063 aluminum tube?
A: 6061 has higher strength (T6 tensile strength 310MPa vs 240MPa), suitable for load-bearing structural applications. 6063 features better extrudability and surface finishing performance, suitable for architectural decoration and complex profile design.
Q2: Can 6061 aluminum tube be welded?
A: Yes. 6061 is the preferred alloy for welding or brazing with excellent weldability.
Q4: Can 6061 aluminum tube be used outdoors?
A: Yes. 6061 aluminum tube can be used outdoors without coating. Anodizing or powder coating is recommended for marine or chemical environments.
Q5: Can brushed and matte surfaces be combined with anodizing?
A: Yes. Brushing and matting are generally pre-treatment processes before anodizing. Anodizing after pre-treatment retains texture while providing corrosion resistance.
Why Choose Glory Steel?
- Direct extrusion factory, one-stop supply of 6061 tubing in full sizes and all cross-section shapes.
- Rich export experience, familiar with ASTM & EN standards. Full material test certificates available.
- Value-added processing: Fixed-length cutting, hole punching, bending, brushing, sandblasting, anodizing, powder coating.
- Flexible dimensions, custom tubing available to meet non-standard drawings.
- Professional foreign trade support. Sea-freight-suitable packaging. Stable delivery lead time: 10–16 days.
Glory Steel Plant, located in Tianjin, China, is an ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and CE-certified factory with an annual output of 100,000 tons. Specialize in manufacturing hot-extruded aluminum tubes, including all grades and sizes such as 6061, 7075, 5052, 6063. We support CNC machining and OEM/ODM services. With our high-quality products and services, we export to over 120 countries.
