Aluminum round tube, square and rectangle tube, angle, channel, I-beam and tee go into trailers, boat frames, T-tops, sign structures and railings. We source structural 6061-T6 and architectural 6063 shapes, arrange straight and miter cuts to length, and deliver across Texas.
What aluminum tube and extrusions are used for, and how to pick them
The first split is structural versus architectural. 6061-T6 is the structural alloy for trailer frames, crossmembers, ramps, boat T-tops and anything carrying load. 6063 is the architectural alloy for handrails, trim, sign cabinets and frames that get anodized or painted. It has sharper corners and a smoother surface, but 6063-T52 has roughly half the strength of 6061-T6.
For tube, the next question is how it's made. Extruded tube is the everyday structural product. Drawn tube holds tighter diameter and wall tolerances for fluid lines, fittings and telescoping parts.
For channel and I-beam, check which standard the drawing calls for. Aluminum Association shapes have flat, uniform flanges. American Standard shapes have sloped inner flanges like older steel profiles. The dimensions and weights differ, and the wrong one won't match the design.
Aluminum tube and extrusion grades
| Grade/temper | Why pick it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | Structural strength. Weldable with good corrosion resistance. Standard for trailer, marine and frame work. | Loses much of its strength in the weld zone. Size welded joints for as-welded strength. |
| 6063-T52 | Smooth finish and crisp corners that anodize clean. Railings, trim and sign frames. | About half the strength of 6061-T6. Not for load-bearing frames. |
| 6063-T6 | A bit stronger than T52 with the same architectural surface. | Still well below 6061-T6 in strength. |
| 6061-T6 drawn tube | Tighter OD and wall tolerances for fluid lines, fittings and telescoping parts. | Limited to smaller sizes and thinner walls. |
Common aluminum tube and extrusion sizes
| Shape | Commonly available sizes | Walls or thicknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Round tube | 1/4" to 6" OD, larger in some alloys | .035" to .250" common, heavier in structural sizes |
| Square tube | 1/2" to 8" | 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" |
| Rectangle tube | 1" x 2" through 4" x 6" and larger | 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" |
| Angle | 1/2" x 1/2" to 8" x 8", equal and unequal legs | 1/16" to 1/2" and up |
| Channel and I-beam | Channel 2" to 12", I-beam 3" to 12" | Aluminum Association or American Standard profiles |
| Pipe and tee | Schedule 40 and 80 pipe by nominal size, structural tee | Per schedule or shape |
Sizes only. Metal prices move daily, so every order is quoted. Extrusions commonly run 20 ft or 24 ft, varying by shape.
Cut-to-size options for aluminum tube and extrusions
Tube and shapes are saw cut to length. Straight cuts typically land within about a sixteenth of an inch, closer on request, and miter cuts for frames can be arranged at the angles you call out. On rectangle tube, say which face the miter runs across.
Cuts are arranged through our supply network. A trailer or T-top cut list with every length, count and angle comes back as a kit instead of a pile of 24-foot sticks, and shorter pieces are easier to deliver.
What to include in your quote request
- Shape and size: OD and wall for round tube, outside dimensions and wall for square and rectangle
- Alloy and temper, 6061-T6 or 6063-T52
- Aluminum Association or American Standard, for channel and I-beam
- Cut lengths, quantities and any miter angles
- Finish: mill, anodized, or film-protected for cosmetic parts
- Mill certs, if required
- Ship-to ZIP code