What materials can be aluminium extruded in Vietnam?

What materials can be aluminium extruded in Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing aluminium extrusion hubs. Before you place an order, understanding what alloys are actually available — and where the gaps are — saves costly rework and delays when sourcing internationally.

Alloy selection determines everything

The alloy you specify determines mechanical properties, surface finish quality, machinability, corrosion resistance, and whether a profile can be anodised or powder coated effectively. Vietnamese extrusion manufacturers are predominantly equipped to process 6000-series alloys — the global industry standard — but capability varies significantly between suppliers. Knowing the full material landscape helps you ask the right questions before committing.

The backbone of Vietnamese extrusion: 6000-series alloys

The vast majority of aluminium extrusion in Vietnam uses 6000-series alloys — an aluminium-magnesium-silicon (Al-Mg-Si) family known for excellent extrudability, good mechanical strength, and strong corrosion resistance.

AA 6063 — The architectural standard

By far the most widely processed alloy in Vietnam. Excellent surface finish makes it ideal for anodising and powder coating. Complex thin-walled profiles are achievable at competitive pricing.

• Uses: Window & door frames, solar mounting, curtain wall, furniture
• Tempers: T5, T6
• Availability: Widely available

AA 6061 — For structural applications

Higher mechanical strength than 6063. Harder to extrude — modern 1,600–3,600 tonne presses handle it routinely across Vietnam.

• Uses: Structural brackets, marine parts, machinery frames
• Tempers: T6, T651
• Availability: Widely available

AA 6082 — European structural standard

Increasing availability driven by European demand. Slightly higher strength than 6061. Billet supply has improved significantly in recent years.

• Uses: Structural engineering, transport, offshore
• Tempers: T6
• Availability: Available at select suppliers

Other alloys — growing but verify availability

A smaller number of Vietnamese manufacturers are beginning to offer profiles beyond the 6063/6061/6082 core. Always confirm billet availability before specifying.

6005 / 6005A

Good balance between extrudability and strength. Used in transportation and ladder profiles.

• Uses: Rail carriages, automotive trim, ladders
• Availability: Limited — confirm with supplier

6060

Tighter tolerances than 6063. Common in European-standard architectural projects. Select suppliers stock 6060 billets.

• Uses: European architectural, decorative profiles
• Availability: Limited — confirm with supplier

1050 / 1100

High-purity aluminium for maximum electrical conductivity or chemical resistance. Some facilities process on request.

• Uses: Heat exchangers, cable sheathing, chemical processing
• Availability: Limited — on request only

7000-series and 2000-series alloys are not generally available in Vietnam. High-strength aerospace alloys (e.g. 7075, 7068) and copper-alloyed 2000-series profiles are beyond most current domestic press capacity and billet supply. If your project requires these, Vietnam is not yet the right source — though the landscape continues to evolve.

Alloy availability at a glance

Widely available

• 6063 — Architectural, decorative, solar — Tempers: T5, T6
• 6061 — Structural, engineering, industrial — Tempers: T6, T651

Available at select suppliers

• 6082 — Structural, European-spec — Tempers: T6

Limited availability

• 6005 / 6005A — Transport, ladders — Tempers: T5, T6
• 6060 — European architectural — Tempers: T5, T6
• 1050 / 1100 — Electrical, heat exchangers

Not available in Vietnam

• 7000-series — Aerospace grades (source elsewhere)
• 2000-series — Aerospace grades (source elsewhere)

Where do Vietnamese extruders source their billets?

Vietnam does not yet have large-scale primary aluminium smelting. Most billets are imported — and the source matters for traceability and consistency.

• China — Most common source. Cost-competitive. Quality varies by supplier — always request mill certificates.
• Malaysia — Press Metal billets. Widely regarded for consistent composition and tight tolerances.
• Middle East — Bahrain and UAE origin. Premium quality, used by suppliers targeting export markets.

At Lekker, we always verify billet traceability as part of our supplier qualification process. Reputable Vietnamese extruders will disclose billet origin and provide mill certificates upon request. If a supplier is reluctant to share this, treat it as a red flag.