Friends who work in aluminum scrap recycling and purchasing often get stuck on grade issues: how exactly do you distinguish 6061, 6063 and A00? Sorting quality directly affects the selling price. Based on frontline experience, this article explains the appearance, uses and composition characteristics of common grades, as well as the practical costs of sorting for higher prices and mixing materials. In actual receiving, if you misidentify grades, you not only sell at a loss, but may also scrap an entire furnace charge. After reading this, you can grasp the basic sorting logic and know which steps are worth the effort. Suitable for scrap yard owners, processing plant purchasers and traders.
1. How the grade system came about
Aluminum alloys have an internationally accepted numerical designation system, and the Chinese national standard is also based on it. Series 1 through 8 represent different major alloying elements: 1xxx is pure aluminum, 2xxx is copper, 3xxx is manganese, 4xxx is silicon, 5xxx is magnesium, 6xxx is magnesium and silicon, 7xxx is zinc, and 8xxx is other elements. The most common scrap in the recycling market is the 6xxx series, i.e. aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloys. Within the 6xxx series, 6061 and 6063 account for a large proportion, because one is used for industrial structures and the other for building doors and windows. In addition, 5xxx alloys (such as 5052) are often used for ships and containers, 2xxx alloys (such as 2024) for aerospace, and 7xxx alloys (such as 7075) have very high strength, but this type of scrap is generally stored separately. Remembering the grade system gives you a framework: when you see scrap, first determine which series it belongs to, then the specific grade, and you won't be confused. When purchasing, if the other party simply says 'aluminum scrap', you need to ask which series and which grade, because this directly affects how it will be used later and how much it is worth.
2. Differences between 6061 and 6063
Although 6061 and 6063 both belong to the 6xxx series, their uses and compositions are clearly different. 6063 is mainly architectural profiles, such as aluminum alloy doors and windows, curtain wall frames and decorative strips. Its characteristics are good extrusion formability, easy surface treatment and relatively low strength. Scrapped door and window frames and sliding door material are mostly 6063. 6061 is an industrial aluminum alloy with higher strength and better machinability, used in mechanical parts, molds, bicycle frames, truck bodies and other places. Common scrap includes industrial profiles, plates, bars, and some machining chips. In appearance, 6063 material has thin walls, bright white fracture surfaces and a light feel; 6061 material tends to be thicker, with grayish fracture surfaces and higher hardness. If you scratch with a utility knife, 6063 is easy to mark while 6061 is hard to scratch. Of course, the most reliable way is to look at the original factory label or use a spectrometer, but when no instrument is available on site, these experience-based methods can help you make a preliminary separation. Note that even among aluminum alloy doors and windows, some may be 6060 or 6063A, but the domestic mainstream is still 6063, so you don't need to overthink it.
3. A00 is not a scrap grade
A00 is often mentioned, but it is not a scrap grade; it is the grade designation for primary aluminum ingot. According to the national standard, A00 refers to remelting aluminum ingot produced by electrolysis, with an aluminum content of no less than 99.7%, i.e. the so-called first-grade aluminum ingot. Its alloy composition is stable and it is the raw material for producing aluminum alloys. In the scrap industry, A00 is more like a price benchmark. For example, some recyclers and buyers say 'deduct points based on A00', meaning the scrap price is calculated at a certain discount from that day's aluminum ingot price. In real aluminum scrap, there is no material called 'A00', unless it is clean pure aluminum ingot recovered from items such as aluminum busbars and cable sheathing, which after remelting become secondary ingot with composition close to A00, but impurity control is not as good as primary ingot. So if you have 6063 profiles in hand, don't call them A00 material; you should say '6xxx scrap' so buyers know how to quote you. Understanding this difference can avoid misunderstandings when negotiating prices.
4. How much more can good sorting sell for?
Sorting directly determines the trading tier of scrap. For the same batch of aluminum scrap, sorting it cleanly by grade and removing iron parts and plastics versus mixing it all together will result in a very obvious price difference. The reason is simple: clean, single-grade scrap can be directly charged and melted by the buyer, saving the trouble of re-sorting and adjusting composition. Mixed scrap can only be treated as mixed material, with a larger discount, and sometimes no one will even take it. The so-called 'sell for more' is not a fixed number but a structural premium: the purer the sorting, the greater the room for negotiation. In practice, you should do at least three things: first, separate by series—do not mix 2xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx together; second, separate by form—profiles, plates, chips and shavings should be separated, because chips have different melt loss and impurity characteristics; third, remove contaminants—pick out material with steel nails, rubber strips or plastic clips. If you do these steps well, buyers will be more willing to accept your quotation based on the corresponding grade, and deals will close faster. If you have large volumes and a stable supply source, you can also consider baling or melting yourself to keep the added value in your hands, but that is another topic.
5. Where exactly do you lose money by mixing scrap?
The cost of mixing scrap is not just a lower price; it can also make your material unsellable. Aluminum alloy melting has strict composition requirements, and each grade has limits and ranges for element content. For example, 6063 has strict copper limits, while 6061 deliberately adds copper to increase strength. If 6061 material is mixed into 6063 material, the melted alloy will have excessive copper, and the entire melt may be downgraded to ordinary aluminum alloy or even sold only as mixed scrap. To remedy this, you have to add pure aluminum or pure magnesium to dilute, adding extra cost and time. Another example: 2xxx is an aluminum-copper alloy; if mixed with 6xxx, a low-melting-point eutectic can form, melt loss increases during melting, and cracks are more likely to occur inside the ingot. On site, mixed scrap appears uneven in color, thickness and hardness, and buyers cannot identify the batch, so naturally they are unwilling to pay a high price. What's more, some material with paint or plastic on the surface, if charged into the furnace without removal, will generate large amounts of dross and fumes, reducing yield and polluting the environment. So the loss from mixing is multi-layered: price discounts, composition adjustment costs, metal melt loss, and environmental risks—you must calculate this account clearly.
6. Quick identification tips
When no spectrometer is available on site, you can use a few simple methods for preliminary judgment. First, look at the fracture surface: cut or saw through with pliers and observe the metal's color and grain. 6063 has a fine, bright white fracture surface; 6061 is not as bright and tends to be gray. Second, test hardness: scratch with a utility knife or hacksaw blade; 6063 scratches easily, while 6061 is harder. Third, consider the application: architectural door/window profiles and curtain wall material are basically 6063, while industrial equipment frames and machined parts are likely 6061. Fourth, check labels and packaging: when supplied by large factories, profile ends often have inkjet codes or labels indicating the alloy grade. Also note that common 5xxx aluminum alloy (5052) is often used in fuel tanks and air conditioning pipes; its color is darker than 6xxx and it often has bending marks. If conditions allow, spend a little money to buy a handheld spectrometer, or find a testing point with a spectrometer to test and issue a composition report—this is a more reliable approach. For purchasers, requiring a composition sheet with every batch is an effective way to avoid the risk of mixed scrap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which has a higher price, 6061 or 6063?
Generally, 6061 scrap commands a higher price than 6063 because it contains copper and has higher strength. The exact price also depends on the material form, condition and cleanliness, but separating by grade will get you a better price. Don't quote them mixed together.
Q: Is window and door scrap always 6063?
Most architectural door and window profiles are 6063, but some are 6060 or 6063A, and even old door and window material may contain other elements. You can't rely on appearance alone; it's best to confirm with a spectrometer or composition testing. Treating it as 6xxx during sorting is fine, but test before fine classification.
Q: If a piece of A00 aluminum ingot is mixed into scrap, how should it be calculated?
A00 ingot itself is primary aluminum and should be picked out separately and priced as pure aluminum material. If mixed into alloy scrap, it raises the overall aluminum content but disrupts the alloy ratio, affecting subsequent melting. It is recommended to remove it and store it separately to avoid being bought at a low price as ordinary alloy material.
Q: Can mixed aluminum scrap still be remedied?
It can be remedied, but at a high cost. You need to sample and assay the composition, then add pure aluminum, pure magnesium or master alloys to adjust it to the target grade. If the mixing ratio is too large, it may only be downgraded for use as ordinary aluminum-silicon alloy. So it's best to control the mixing risk at the source.
Q: Is a handheld spectrometer accurate for testing aluminum scrap?
Yes. A handheld spectrometer can quickly provide the content of major elements, with errors within a controllable range, and it is currently a very reliable field tool for aluminum scrap sorting. The prerequisites are regular calibration, correct operation, and cleaning surface coatings before testing. It is even safer for purchasers to require an attached composition sheet.
Q: What are the benefits of sorting aluminum scrap by grade?
The benefits are a higher selling price, greater buyer recognition, and stable batches. The finer the sorting, the easier the melting recipe, and the higher the pass rate of final products, so purchasers are willing to pay a premium for clean material. Sorting also keeps the composition of the entire lot consistent, reducing rework.
Q: What is the relationship between 6xxx scrap and A00?
6xxx scrap can be melted and adjusted in composition to produce a pure aluminum material close to A00, but the cost is high, so this is generally not done. A00 is standard aluminum ingot and serves as one of the raw materials for 6xxx alloys. Conversely, A00 ingot is not considered scrap when it goes to the recycling market.
Q: Do scrap yards only check whether aluminum is magnetic when buying?
No. Aluminum itself is non-magnetic, and many aluminum alloys are also non-magnetic. Checking only for magnetism cannot distinguish grades; you must combine appearance, hardness and composition for a comprehensive judgment. The correct approach is to first determine the grade with a spectrometer, then store it by grade.
Key Takeaways
Remember the 1xxx-8xxx series framework, with 6xxx scrap being the most common; 6063 is mostly used for doors and windows, while 6061 is mostly used for industrial structures. A00 is a primary aluminum ingot grade, not a scrap grade; treat it only as a benchmark when negotiating prices. Sorting should include separating by series, by form, and removing contaminants; single-grade material has significantly better pricing power than mixed scrap. Mixing carries heavy costs: exceeding composition limits requires reconditioning, and may lead to downgrading or scrapping; using a spectrometer on site is more reliable. Purchasers requiring an attached composition sheet can effectively avoid the risk of mixed scrap.
Further reading
- Daily nonferrous metal prices: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/prices
- Nonferrous company directory: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/companies
- Supply & demand marketplace: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/market
About Guilin Metals
Guilin Metals (Chinese name 贵临有色网, guilinmetals.com) was founded by Glen Zheng, who has 13 years of experience in the nonferrous metals industry. The platform provides daily prices for copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, tin and nickel, a directory of 140,000+ nonferrous metal companies, supply and demand listings, procurement notices, and AI-assisted matching.
- Daily prices: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/prices
- Company directory: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/companies
- Marketplace: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/market
*Data as of 2026-08-17.*