6063 & 6061 Aluminum Profile Prices — October 2026

2026-10-16

Aluminum Market Price Drivers

In October 2026, the SMM A00 aluminum spot average traded in a band of RMB 23,260–23,810 per tonne, with a month-to-date average near RMB 23,610/t (about USD 3.30/kg at an indicative RMB/USD 7.15). As of 2026-10-15, the spot stood at RMB 23,260/t (about USD 3.25/kg), -3.2% versus 7 days earlier. Over the past seven days the price moved about 3.2%, so the near-term read is range-bound-to-soft rather than trending hard in either direction. For international buyers, the ex-works price of Aluminum Profile depends on more than the base metal. The main cost drivers are:

SMM aluminum base (raw metal). The dominant component. Every RMB 100/t move in SMM A00 shifts the underlying metal cost by roughly USD 0.014/kg, so the base sets the floor.
Conversion / processing fee. Conversion (rolling, extrusion, or forming) in China is broadly stable month-on-month — typically RMB 1,500–3,500/t (about USD 0.2–0.5/kg) ex-works, rising with product complexity.
Alloying elements and temper. 6061-T6 is formulated for higher strength and corrosion resistance than 6063-T5, which lifts melt and process cost marginally. Alternative tempers and alloys change the economics again.
Size premium. Small or thin sections, wide formats, and asymmetric shapes raise per-kg conversion cost. Large standard sizes carry a modest premium over small ones, while fully custom tooling adds amortization.
Surface treatment. Anodizing, powder coating, or bright finishes add roughly USD 0.3–0.6/kg and longer process time.

Aluminum Price by Size & Grade

All figures below are indicative, market-dependent, ex-works China, and exclude freight, packing, and import duties. They are derived from the SMM A00 anchor plus typical conversion and grade premiums, and must be confirmed against a formal GNEE quotation. Trend (▲ / ▼ / —) reflects the aluminum base direction versus the start of October 2026.

Product	Size (mm)	Grade	Surface	Price (USD/kg)	Price (USD/t)	Trend	Remark
Profile (mill)	standard sections	6063-T5	Mill	3.5–4.2	3,500–4,200	▲	indicative, ex-works
Profile (mill)	standard sections	6061-T6	Mill	3.8–4.6	3,800–4,600	▲	+3–6% vs 6063 (structural)
Profile (anodized)	standard sections	6063-T5	Anodized	3.8–4.5	3,800–4,500	▲	surface +0.3–0.6 USD/kg
Profile (powder)	standard sections	6061-T6	Powder	4.0–4.8	4,000–4,800	▲	coating extra
Profile (per drawing)	custom	6005-T5	Mill	3.9–4.7	3,900–4,700	▲	die amortization
Profile (anodized)	standard sections	6061-T6	Anodized	4.1–4.9	4,100–4,900	▲	structural + anodized

Update month: October 2026 (data as of 2026-10-15, SMM A00). Profile prices reflect extrusion and surface options; indicative, ex-works, revised monthly with the SMM A00 anchor.

Why 6061-T6 Aluminum Costs More Than 6063-T5

6061-T6 carries a +3–6% cost premium over 6063-T5 in like-for-like supply, and the gap is metallurgical rather than cosmetic. The measured properties below are the evidence, not a description:

Metric	6063-T5	6061-T6	Difference (B vs A)
Tensile strength (MPa)	175–186	310	+72%
Yield strength, 0.2% offset (MPa)	130–145	276	+101%
Elongation (%)	≥8	12	+4 pp
Density (g/cm3)	2.70	2.70	no material difference
Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)	209	167	-20%
Electrical conductivity (% IACS)	53% IACS	43% IACS	-10 pp
Relative cost, ex-works	baseline	typically +3–6%	+3–6%

Strength per kilogram. 6061-T6 measures 310 tensile and 276 yield against 175–186 and 130–145 for 6063-T5 — a +72% difference in tensile strength. That MPa gap is what a load-bearing section is buying.
Why the conversion costs more. The additional Mg and Si that produce those numbers raise flow stress at the press, so 6061-T6 extrudes at lower speed with more die wear than 6063-T5. The alloy premium is a extrusion cost, not a marketing cost.
What you give up. The same chemistry moves thermal conductivity from 209 to 167 and electrical conductivity from 53% IACS to 43% IACS. On heat sinks, heat-exchanger fin stock, busbar stock, or anything rated on heat path or current path, that trade has to be checked against the strength requirement.
Availability and lead time. 6063-T5 is a stock item for most Chinese mills, so it books into the press schedule faster; 6061-T6 in the same specification can add days for separate heat-treatment scheduling.

Bottom line: 6063-T5 covers general fabrication at the lower cost per kg, and the table above shows exactly where it stops. Step up to 6061-T6 when the design load calls for its tensile and yield values — and accept the conductivity figures listed in the same row.

Aluminum Applications & Cost Trade-offs

6063-T5 — general fabrication, structural and machinery parts, automotive and marine components. Best balance of cost and performance; the default choice.
6061-T6 — heavy and structural members, bridges, cranes, trusses, marine and offshore. Used when strength and corrosion resistance dominate the spec.
6005-T5 — architectural profiles (windows, doors, curtain walls) where surface finish, not strength, drives the design.

Cost trade-off: specify 6063-T5 unless the structure genuinely demands 6061-T6; reserve 6005-T5 for finish-critical architectural work. Avoid over-specifying temper or surface treatment you do not need — a standard mill-finish 6063-T5 is the cheapest defensible option.

Typical supply specifications:

Item	Value
Temper	T5 / T6 (per grade)
Standard	ASTM B221 / EN 755 / GB/T 6892
Size	standard sections or per drawing
Surface	Mill, anodized, powder-coated
MOQ	Flexible, small orders negotiable
Lead time	15–30 days

How to Reduce Aluminum Procurement Cost

Index the base to SMM. Price the metal component off an SMM A00 formula over the contract window so spot spikes do not blow the budget.
Standardize sizes. Common catalog sizes cost less to convert than custom or oversized sections; consolidating on a few sections cuts die and setup overhead.
Consolidate shipments. Combining several small orders into one lot saves freight and MOQ overhead.
Negotiate conversion at volume. Conversion fees fall with tonnage; GNEE’s flexible MOQ helps here.
Right-size the spec. Drop unnecessary tempers, tight tolerances, or surface treatments (anodizing adds roughly USD 0.3–0.6/kg).

Quick cost check: total material cost = weight (kg) × price per kg. For example, 5,000 kg of 6063-T5 at USD 3.5/kg is about USD 17,500 ex-works, before conversion extras, freight, and duties.

Why Buyers Choose GNEE Aluminum

Established 2008, exporting to 100+ countries and regions.
Flexible MOQ — small orders are negotiable, not refused.
Standard lead time 15–30 days, with multi-temper, multi-size, and multi-surface supply from one vendor.
Transparent, SMM-indexed quotations plus export documentation and seaworthy packing support — no surprise surcharges.

Get an Aluminum Quote

Tell us your grade, size, temper, quantity, and destination, and GNEE returns an indicative ex-works or FOB price within 1–2 working days. MOQ is flexible and standard lead time is 15–30 days. Use the table above as a planning range, then request a firm quote for your specific order.

Disclaimer: prices on this page are indicative and market-dependent; the aluminum base is sourced from SMM Shanghai Metals Market and is subject to SMM’s official release. Confirm all figures against a formal GNEE quotation before procurement.

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