Pure aluminum has properties that are fixed, in other words permanent. These properties include strength, malleability, durability, melting point and others. An alloy such as 6061 aluminum, which includes 6061 aluminum plate and 6061 aluminum tooling plate, is the combination of the pure aluminum metal with other alloying elements, creating the aluminum alloy hybrid material. The blending of the properties of the various elements produces a stronger, more durable, and more flexible metal that may be used for particular purposes. When aluminum is alloyed with different metals, its strength can come close to the strength of many steel alloys, but remain light weight.
There are two general classes of aluminum alloys – wrought alloys and casting alloys. Wrought alloys include 6061, 2024, 7075, & 7050. They are cast and then sent through the extruding, rolling, or forging process as they are worked into particular shapes. Casting alloys like A380 may be poured into molds that are cast in sand to produce the desired shape. Heat treating may be used on some of these alloys to increase their hardness and strength.
6061 Aluminum Properties
6061 aluminum is among the most commonly available heat treatable aluminum alloys used in commercial applications. Its primary alloying elements are magnesium and silicon. Other metallic elements that comprise the alloy include copper, iron, zinc, chromium, titanium, manganese. As a lightweight, medium to high strength, and economic material, aluminum alloy 6061 sets the standard. Some alloys manufactured previously to 6061 had the problem of stress corrosion cracking. However, the addition of chromium into this alloy gives it corrosion resistance.
The various advantageous properties of 6061 aluminum, including 6061 aluminum plate and 6061 aluminum tooling plate, include toughness and structural strength, solid corrosion resistance, good surface finish, machinability, resistance to seawater and atmosphere, weldability, and the ability to be joined. Many other types of aluminum alloys are difficult to weld resulting from their chemical composition and poor conductivity. Although 6061 aluminum alloy can lose strength when welded, the material may be heat treated again and aged artificially to help restore its strength.
Anodizing and other coatings may be applied to 6061 aluminum, an alloy which possesses exceptional connection properties. As an experienced aluminum supplier, we choose our suppliers very carefully. As we all know there are many foreign producers of Aluminum, but they are not all good. Our customers demand the highest quality at a competitive price and high quality doesn’t just need to look good, but it needs to machine well, remain dimensionally stable, and meet all required specifications. We provide 6061 aluminum plate with a satin brushed finish that provides the plate with consistent surface finish ready for anodizing. Aluminum alloy 6061 possesses better mechanical and physical properties than many other casted products like A380. In addition, if you specify 6061 Aluminum Tooling Plate, you can obtain enhanced flatness tolerances in thicknesses up to 4”. This is available only with aluminum 6061-T651 and not in other alloys.
Aluminum alloy 6061 can be easily cold worked and formed in its annealed condition. Through the use of common operational methods, the processes of stamping, bending, and tapping can be applied to the material, which is versatile and easy to manage.
6061 Aluminum Uses
Aluminum alloy 6061, including 6061 aluminum plate is used widely as a construction material and often in automotive manufacturing applications. Some of the products and components that are made with 6061 include motorcycles, camera lenses, brake components, yachts, marine fittings, scuba tanks, archery equipment, electrical fittings, fishing reels, valves and couplings, and bicycle frames. Many roof structures with wide spans, including those for arenas and bridge decks, are made with this type of aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy.
For extrusion purposes, 6061 aluminum alloy is one of the most versatile and commonly used. Due to the fact that it possesses strength for many structural applications, it is often referred to as a structural aluminum. The combination of properties it possesses makes it applicable for a variety of applications.
It takes familiarity with aluminum alloys to know which one is best for a particular application. Although distributors do not employ engineers to design for end, use they are experienced with Aluminum Alloys and will provide you with the specification data for you to make your structural calculations. Working with an experienced aluminum supplier can help you in the process of material selection. At Howard Precision, we strive to help our clients find the perfect material match, whether it involves 6061 aluminum plate, 6061 aluminum tooling plate or another aluminum alloy material. We are here to help you achieve success in your projects and applications.
If you have requirements related to aluminum alloys or aluminum extrusions for a project or application, our professionals at Howard Precision Metals can help. For more information about our products and services, give us a call today at 800.444.0311 or go to our website and request a quote.
