6061 Aluminum Plates
6061 Aluminum Plates
6061 aluminum is a precipitation-hardened aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon as its major alloying elements. This is the most versatile of the heat-treatable aluminum alloys, offering an exceptional balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and workability. Aluminum plates are defined as material thicker than 0.250 inches and are commonly used for heavy-duty applications in aerospace, marine, architectural, transportation, and industrial sectors. It can be welded by all methods and can be furnace brazed.
- 6061 Aluminum (UNS A96061)
- Heat-treatable alloy
- Mg-Si precipitation hardened
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Good weldability
- T651 temper
Overview
6061 Aluminum Plates represent the industry standard for versatility and performance in structural aluminum applications. As a precipitation-hardened alloy containing magnesium and silicon, 6061 aluminum offers an exceptional balance of strength, corrosion resistance, machinability, and weldability. This combination makes it the most widely used heat-treatable aluminum alloy across countless industrial sectors.
Technical Overview: The 6061 aluminum alloy derives its superior properties from its precise chemical composition and heat treatment process known as T6 tempering. This process involves solution heat treatment followed by artificial aging, resulting in significantly enhanced mechanical properties. The alloy's magnesium and silicon content forms magnesium silicide (Mg2Si), which provides the strengthening mechanism. 6061 aluminum plates are defined as material thicker than 0.250 inches (6.35mm), making them suitable for heavy-duty applications where durability and structural integrity are paramount.
Applications: 6061 aluminum plates serve critical functions across diverse industries. In aerospace, they're used for aircraft frames and components due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. Marine applications include boat hulls and superstructures where corrosion resistance is essential. The construction industry utilizes these plates for architectural elements, bridges, and structural supports. Transportation equipment manufacturers rely on 6061 plates for truck frames, railcar components, and military vehicle parts. Additionally, these plates are ideal for custom fabrication projects, industrial machinery bases, and high-stress components.
Advantages: The primary advantage of 6061 aluminum plates lies in their exceptional versatility. They offer excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in marine environments, without requiring protective coatings. Their weldability by all common methods (including TIG, MIG, and resistance welding) and ability to be furnace brazed provide fabrication flexibility. The alloy machines cleanly and can be anodized to enhance surface properties and appearance. With good formability in the annealed condition and high strength after heat treatment, 6061 aluminum plates deliver reliable performance across temperature extremes while maintaining dimensional stability.
Specifications
- ASTM Standards: ASTM B209, ASTM B308/B308M
- Thickness Range: 0.250" to 6.000" (6.35mm to 152.4mm)
- Widths: Up to 144" (3658mm)
- Lengths: Up to 480" (12192mm)
- Temper: T651 (Stress-Relieved Stretched)
- Density: 0.098 lb/in? (2.70 g/cm?)
- Melting Point: 1080F - 1200F (582C - 649C)
- Tolerances: Meets ASTM B209 dimensional tolerances for flatness, straightness, and thickness
Values may vary by mill & heat; verify against the MTR for your order.
Applications
- Aerospace: Aircraft landing mats, wing ribs, structural components
- Marine: Boat hulls, decks, marine hardware, dock structures
- Transportation: Truck frames, trailer beds, railcar components, military vehicles
- Architectural: Building facades, structural supports, bridges, walkways
- Industrial: Machine bases, processing equipment, welding fixtures, robotic arms
- Defense: Armor plating, vehicle components, military infrastructure
Weldability
- Excellent weldability using TIG, MIG, plasma arc, and resistance welding
- Recommended filler metals: 4043 or 5356 aluminum alloy
- Proper pre-weld cleaning essential for oxide layer removal
- Can be furnace brazed with appropriate aluminum brazing alloys
- Post-weld heat treatment may be required for critical structural applications
How to Measure
To order 6061 aluminum plates, provide:
- Thickness (in inches or millimeters)
- Width (in inches or millimeters)
- Length (in inches or millimeters)
- Temper (T651 standard)
- Tolerance requirements (standard commercial or precision)
- Edge requirements (mill edge, saw cut, or machined edge)
- Surface finish specification if required
- Quantity and cutting instructions
Order Checklist
- Alloy: 6061 Aluminum
- Temper: T651 or T6
- Thickness, Width, and Length dimensions
- Quantity and cutting instructions
- Required tolerances (thickness, width, length)
- Edge finish requirements
- Surface finish specifications
- Certifications (MTR, material test reports)
- Packaging and shipping instructions
