6063-T4: Question about natural aging
6063-T4: Question about natural aging
(OP)
I've had a few discussions with some coworkers over the last couple days about 6063-T4 and its potential to naturally age at room temperature. Comments like, "don't worry, it will be T6 by the time we ship" seem common with a few coworkers. We do a lot of work with 6005-T5 and have to deal with the rapid aging of that alloy, post extrusion. A lot of folks here think that this rapid aging is just a property of all 6xxx series Aluminum alloys. I am skeptical for a number of reasons, particularly because I have found references referring to the rapid aging of 6005, but see nothing about 6063. A document from Sapa addressing 6005 alloy properties specifically suggests that 6005 will naturally age faster than 6061 and 6063, but there is no quantification of the statement. I guess the question is, will 6063-T4 ever reach a T5 or T6 temper at room temperature, and how long might it take? 10 weeks, 10 months, 10 years, 10 decades?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.





RE: 6063-T4: Question about natural aging
I think that 6005 will only naturally age to a T1 condition which has significantly lower strength than the T5 you are describing.
The increased Silicon of the 6005 compared to 6063 results in this ability
RE: 6063-T4: Question about natural aging
RE: 6063-T4: Question about natural aging
UTS/Elongation as quenched ~ 175 MPa / 28%
after 1 day at RT ~ 225 MPa / 26%
after 1 week at RT ~ 250 MPa / 25%
after 1 year at RT ~ 270 MPa / 22%
6063 will almost certainly be more sluggish than this.
RE: 6063-T4: Question about natural aging
I know when our vendors fabricate and cold work our 6005 tube, they have only a few days after extrusion before the material is too brittle to work. The 6063-T4 we have is Play-Doh and well over a month old. I really doubt we'll see any aging with this material. But, I'm hoping to get a few additional opinions.