Aluminium extrusions are available in a range of alloys and tempers, each with its own unique strength, hardness and properties. So while 6060 T5 is the predominant general alloy and temper in use in the New Zealand market, a selection of alternatives are available where such properties as strength or conductivity for example are paramount.

This section covers the choices available from Fletcher Aluminium, usable application or end use guidelines, basic mechanical properties and service finish specifications.

Extrusion Alloys Available:

Fletcher & Reg International Designation	Principal Alloying Elements		Description	Temper Offered
*1200	Si 1.0%		Commercially pure	F
6060	Si 0.3-0.6% Mg 0.35-0.6%		Architectural Semi-Structural	T4, T591 T5, T6
*6463	Si 0.2-0.6% Cu 0.25% Mg 0.3-0.9%		Decorative Trim Finish	T5
*6061	Si 0.4-0.8% Cu 0.15-0.4% Mg 0.8-1.2% Cr 0.04-0.35%		Medium Strength	T4 T6
6261	Si 0.4-0.7% Cu 0.15-0.4% Mg 0.7-1% Cr 0.1%		Medium Strength Structural	T4 T5 T6

Note: *Availability subject to special enquiry.
NB: Not all dies are able to run in hard alloys, i.e., 6061 and 6261.

Extrusion Alloy/Tempers Available:

Fletcher & Reg. Int. Design	Description
F	As fabricated, there is no specific control of property limits.
T4	Solution treated and naturally aged.
T591 T5	Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and artificially aged.
T6	Solution head-treated then artificially aged.

Alloy Charateristics & Applications:

Alloy	Characteristics	Typical Forms	Typical Applications
*1200	Commercially pure aluminium. Very ductile. Anodises well. Excellent corrosion resistance.	Simples shapes	Table edgings. Radio antennae. Decorative trim. Electrical Busbar.
6060	Suitable for intricate sections of medium strength. Forms well in T4 temper. High corrosion resistance. Good surface finish.	All Shapes Tubing Rod	Architectural members such as window frames and shop-fitting shapes. Irrigation tube. Forging stock for window hardware. General purpose uses. Electrical Busbar.
6061	Versatile structural alloy. Good mechanical properties. Forms well in T4 temper. Good corrosion resistance and weldability.	Simple structural shapes, including hollows	Road, rail and marine transport, guard rail, bridges, pipe and pipe flanges. All types of welded assemblies.
6261	Special purpose structural alloy. Forms well in T4 temper. Anodises well. Good surface finish. Corrosion resistance and weldability.	Structural shapes of all kinds: Rod, Bar, Tubing	Structural applications where surface finish is important or where thin intricate shapes are involved. Road transport sections. Decking plank and ladder sections.
*6463	Suitable for bright finish products.	All shapes	Ornamental applications. Decorative trims.

Extruded Products:

Tensile Strength (Mpa)
	Thickness1(mm)		Ultimate	Yield	Elongation 2 3
Alloy and Temper	Over	Up to	Min.	Min.	%Min. in 50mm or (5.65)SQRT(A)
6261-T4		60	190	115	14
6261-T5		5	295	255	7
	5	10	280	240	7
6261-T6	All		295	255	7
6061-T4	All		179	110	14
6061-T6	All		262	241	8
6060-T4		150	131	68	12
6060-T5		12	151	110	8
	12	25	144	103	6
6463-T5		12	151	110	8

Footnotes: 

1. The thickness of the cross-section or wall thickness from which the tension specimen is taken determines the applicable mechanical properties. See Sampling and Testing, Page 62 of our Catalogue for number, types and location of tension test specimens.
2. For material of such dimensions that a standard test specimen cannot be taken, or for material thinner than 1.6mm the test for elongation is not required.
3. “A” represents specimen cross-sectional area.

Source: February 1994 Aluminium Standards & Data – Wrought Products (The Aluminium Development Council of Australia Ltd).

Surface Finishing Definitions

1. Structural (M)
This finish is not controlled for uniformity of appearance. Unless otherwise specified, all shapes in alloys will be supplied in this finish.

2. Architectural (SM)
A controlled finish of substantially uniform appearance; buffing will not produce a finish free of die lines unless a preliminary grinding or sanding operation is employed. This finish is only produced on visible surfaces as specified by the customer. Some shapes in which wall thickness is greater than 2.0 mm may exhibit slight heat treatment water stain in T6 temper.

3. Trim(s)
A special finish designed for subsequent polishing. Buffing will normally product a surface substantially free of die lines. Applicable to exposed surfaces only where specified. Restricted to solid shapes only. Maximum unbroken flat surface 25mm.

NOTE:
(1) Trim Finish on 6060 is to be checked for availability prior to placing orders.
(2) Discolouration will not be the cause of rejection as it can be removed by normal 'cutting' prior to 'buffing".

Surface Finish Availability

Finish	Alloys	Tempers
Structural (M)	6061	T6
	6060	T4, T5, T6
	6261	T4, T5, T6
Architectural (SM)	6060	F, T4, T5, T6
Trim (S)	6060/ 6463	T5

NOTE: The symbols M, SM, S are abbreviations as shown on all section drawings.