6061 Aluminum Plate

6061 aluminum plate is the standard go-to aluminum for general purpose applications. Silicon and Magnesium are the major alloying element of this heat treatable aluminum alloy. Commonly used in structural applications, it has good formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance. Despite that fact that it might not machine as well as 2024 and 7075, it certainly is used in many machined part applications that don’t require the higher strength levels present in 7075 and 2024.

One of the major benefits of opting for 6061 aluminum tooling plate is the versatility of the alloy. Ideal for everything from electronics and agriculture, it can also be used in storage tanks, hydraulic cylinders, pipework, in construction and even for sporting goods. A cost-effective option, 6061 T6 aluminum sheet and related products are popular choices for customers that want a generic option that demonstrates excellent welding potential as well as the ability to be shaped as required. An added advantage of using 6061 aluminum plate is that it is resistant to corrosion – a major benefit if your products are routinely exposed to the weather, moisture or extreme temperature changes.

6061 Aluminum Plate Uses

This particular aluminum plate or precision plate can be used for almost every application or general-purpose project you can imagine. 6061 Alloy is prefect for the following projects:

  • Pipelines and Welded Assemblies
  • Architectural and Building Products
  • Fresh Water Marine and Agricultural Applications
  • Recreation, Exercise Equipment & Sporting Goods
  • Electrical and Electronic Components
  • Furniture, Storage Tanks, and Chemical Equipment
  • Pneumatic and Hydraulic Cylinder Components

6061 Aluminum Plate Available

At Howard Precision Metals, we stock 6061 aluminum plate that is produced by the finest mill sources in the market. In addition to our 6061 aluminum plate, we also have 6061 plate that meets tooling plate specifications, such as Hulamin’s M-61 and Kaiser’s Select Precision Plate. The term “Precision Plate” has become synonymous with the tolerance improvements and is now produced by most of the major mills. In both of these precision 6061 aluminum plate products, the tooling plate flatness tolerances are guaranteed even after sawing. This means fewer and faster setups, longer runs, improved tooling life, and less scrap for you, the customer.

Since 6061 plate is a wrought product, it’s mechanical and physical properties are superior to cast products. However, cast tool & jig plate is still the flattest aluminum plate product manufactured. 6061 precision plate is finished with a durable satin brush, making it easy to machine and anodize. Precision plate is an improved product that offers 1/2 standard Aluminum Association thickness tolerances on the plus side, and improved flatness tolerances on thicknesses up to 3.0″ and widths up to 60.5″ wide. These improved thickness and flatness tolerances are only offered in the 6061-T651 aluminum plate alloy.

Custom Sawn 6061 Aluminum Tooling Plate

We understand that each of our customers has slightly different requirements when it comes to the 6061 T6 aluminum sheet or related products that they need. With decades of experience behind us, we have the capability to provide the perfect aluminum products for our customers. We have invested heavily in our custom-built, high-speed aluminum plate saws, as well as a range of other tools needed to generate consistently high-quality results. Because aluminum is the only metal we supply, we have meticulously tailored all aspects of our business appropriately. From customization and maintenance of our saws to the qualification of only the highest quality mill sources, we provide only premium aluminum products to our customers. Because we are a 100% aluminum distributor with custom equipment, we have the right tools and experience to supply even the most ambitious of aluminum projects. If you have a challenging design specification or could do with some expert input into your next 6061 aluminum tooling plate project, we are here to help.

What is 6061 T6 Aluminum Tooling Plate?

Be aware, not all 6061 plate available for purchase meets tooling plate tolerances on flatness (.060” in any 2 foot short span) or thickness (half commercial tolerance but all on the plus side). Many foreign producers only guarantee the standard, looser tolerances established by the Aluminum Association for .25” to 3.0” thick 6061 plate instead of the more stringent 6061 aluminum tooling plate tolerances provided by our premium mill sources. To purchase the highest quality 6061 aluminum plate request precision aluminum tooling plate flatness and thickness tolerances. Though most of the 6061 T651 aluminum plate stocked at Howard Precision Metals beginning with .25” and including all sizes up to and including 3” thick meets Precision Plate tolerances, please request the precision plate thickness and flatness tolerances as required by your application. (Note: We offer standard Aluminum Association plate tolerances in thicknesses over 3.0” thick and up to 10”.) For more information regarding the differences between standard AA specifications and precision aluminum tooling plate specifications, contact one of our experts at Howard Precision Metals today.

How to Purchase 6061 Aluminum:

To purchase 6061 Aluminum please fill out a Request for Quote form. You can also view or download our 6061 Aluminum brochure available in PDF format.

FAQ

6061-T651 is an aluminum plate which has the primary alloys of silicon and magnesium. It is very versatile and used in a variety of industries, due to its numerous good qualities. These qualities include a high level of resistance to corrosion, a decent amount of strength, and good weldability. It is also cost-effective. The T-651 designate the Temper of this alloy. The temper is based on the sequences of basic treatments use to produce the various tempers. T-6 indicates the product is solution heat treated then artificially aged. The additional digits 51 indicate the material has been stretched after aging or cooling. 6061 Aluminum plate also offers ½ commercial plus side thickness tolerances and improved flatness tolerances up to 4” thick.
A variety of industries typically utilize 6061-T651. It is useful in applications such as electrical and electronic components, sporting equipment, hydraulic cylinder components, pipelines, and construction. It is used in the agricultural industry as well.
With regards to 6061-T651’s machinability, many charts rate it at a C for machinability, but it does the job better than that. Between the improvement of the alloy and the advancement of machine tools, 6061 is a good machining alloy of Aluminum used in many general applications. well enough for multiple applications. Ultimately, though, 2024 and 7075 aluminum plates will machine faster and produce smaller chips. fit the bill better. However, 6061 does have good formability if you follow the recommended bend radius for the thickness.
Although 6061-T651 aluminum has been highly regarded as a general-purpose metal aluminum plate, it is light-weight and does not have as high a fatigue resistance when compared to other options such as 2024. It should not be used in environments that undergo repeated tension stress, such as aircraft fuselages or wings.
When selecting the thickness of your 6061-T651 aluminum plates, be sure to take into consideration both the thickness and flatness tolerances required by your application. Most distributors are carrying 6061 T651 plate with all the thickness tolerance on the plus side. However this does not guarantee that the material will clean up to the nominal dimension, it just gives the machinist a little extra to work with.