Characterisation of AA6063 Billets for extruders

Some of the major alloys in the age-hardenable AA6XXX family (Al-Mg-Si) are AA6151, AA6351,
AA6061, AA6063, AA6066, AA6070, AA6009, AA6013 etc., which are mainly used in the manufacture
of extruded components for construction, transport, marine, heating, etc. applications. AA6063 (Mg
0.45-0.9% and Si 0.20-0.6%) alloy is one of the most common alloys in the AA6XXX series which is
used in extrusion due to its high extrudability, good surface finish and excellent response to
anodizing. AA6063 alloy is typically used in pipe, railings, furniture, architectural extensions, truck
and trailer flooring, doors, windows, pipes etc. in the present investigation metal quality is assessed
at every stage of production e.g. pot purity, alloy additions, cast structure of billets, extent of
homogenization and finally extruded components were also characterized for the designated
properties. Variation in the molten metal quality including allying additions, impurities & inclusion
were observed for a period of one year to ensure that the variation in the billet quality for
extruders. Billets cast structure such as grain size, DAS, SDAS, micro and macro segregation were
also analysed to assure its performance during homogenization and extrusion process. Homogenised
billets were also characterized for extent of homogenization and broken AlFeSi Size. Finally extruded
components were characterized to ensure the designated properties of AA6063 alloys in various
thickness and tempers. Present paper describes observation on such parameters which affect the
yield of billets and quality of extrudates for AA6063 alloy.