What Is Aluminum Flat Bar?
Aluminum flat bar is a solid aluminum product with a rectangular cross-section, commonly specified by width, thickness and length. The term "rectangular bar" is also used for solid rectangular-section aluminum bar, although product naming can vary by supplier and market. When ordering, confirm the cross-section, alloy, temper, dimensions and applicable product standard rather than relying on the product name alone.
Aluminum Flat Bar vs. Aluminum Rectangular Bar
Both names describe the same solid rectangular-section stock; "flat bar" is the more common term in stock and distribution, while "rectangular bar" is often used where the section is closer to square or where engineering specs classify it by section shape. We treat them as one product family and confirm the actual W × T dimensions and corner radius with your drawing.
Aluminum Flat Bar vs. Aluminum Sheet and Plate
The difference is ratio and use: flat bar is a narrow solid section cut or extruded to a fixed width and thickness and sold by length or weight, whereas sheet and plate are wide, thin rolled products supplied in large formats. Flat bar is also distinct from rectangular tube, which is hollow. Confirming "solid rectangular" avoids ordering the wrong product form.
Available Aluminum Flat Bar Alloys and Tempers
6061 Aluminum Flat Bar
6061 is the general-purpose choice: good strength with the easiest welding and machining of the three, and T6 temper suits brackets, fixtures, machine parts and structural elements. It is our most commonly stocked flat-bar grade.
6063 Aluminum Flat Bar
6063 is selected where surface quality and anodizing matter more than peak strength. T5 and T6 are the usual tempers for architectural trim, frames and decorative sections with a clean finish.
6082 Aluminum Flat Bar
6082 carries higher strength than 6061 in the same 6000-series family, so it is specified for structural and heavily loaded fabricated parts. Tell us the load case and we confirm the temper and section.
Alloy and Temper
| Alloy | Temper |
|---|---|
| 2000 Series: 2014, 2024 | T4, T6, T3511, T4511 |
| 5000 Series: 5083 | O, H112 |
| 6000 Series: 6005, 6060, 6061, 6063, 6082, 6463 | T4, T5, T6, T66, T6511 |
| Alloy Series | Chinese Standard | American Standard | European Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Series | 2014 | 2014 | EN AW-2014 |
| 2024 | 2024 | EN AW-2024 | |
| 5000 Series | 5083 | 5083 | EN AW-5083 |
| 6000 Series | 6005 | 6005 | - |
| 6060 | 6060 | EN AW-6060 | |
| 6061 | 6061 | EN AW-6061 | |
| 6063 | 6063 | EN AW-6063 | |
| 6082 | 6082 | EN AW-6082 | |
| 6463 | 6463 | EN AW-6463 |
| Temper | Definition |
|---|---|
| O | Annealed |
| H112 | Slightly strain harden from working at an elevated temperature or from limited amount of cold work |
| T4 | Solution heat-treated and naturally aged |
| T5 | Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and then artificially aged |
| T6 | Solution heat-treated and then artificially aged |
| T66 | Solution heat-treated and then artificially aged - mechanical property level higher than T6 achieved through special control of the process (6000 series alloys) |
| T3511 | Solution heat-treated and stress-relieved by stretching to produce a normal permanent set of 1-1.5%, but not less than 1% nor more than 3% |
| T6511 | Solution heat-treated, stress-relieved by stretching and artificially aged with minor straightening |
Other Aluminum Flat Bar Alloys on Request
5052, 5083, 7075, 2024 and other grades can be sourced to drawing. Note: 7075 and 2024 are dual-use listed grades, but because flat bar is a rectangular solid section rather than a solid cylindrical bar or large tube, it falls outside that specific export-control trigger and is supplied routinely - confirm any end-user licensing questions with us. Not sure which alloy to specify? Send your application, dimensions and required properties for a material review.
Aluminum Flat Bar Sizes and Dimensions
Width, Thickness and Length of Aluminum Flat Bar
GNEE supplies flat bar from 10 mm to 400 mm wide and 3 mm to 100 mm thick as standard, with lengths 1–6 m and cut-to-length or multiple lengths on request. Wider widths are available by saw-cutting from plate; minimum thickness and very thin sections depend on the alloy and route. Final dimensions are fixed by your confirmed drawing.
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Width | 10–400 mm (extruded); wider by plate-cut on request |
| Thickness | 3–100 mm, depending on alloy and route |
| Length | 1–6 m standard; cut-to-length and multiple lengths |
| Corner radius | Sharp or radiused per drawing / standard |
| Surface | Mill finish standard; anodized or polished on request |
| Standards | ASTM B221 / EN 755 (extruded); ASTM B209 (plate-cut) |
Ranges are typical supply limits, not a standing stock guarantee. Final width, thickness, length, temper and tolerance are confirmed by your drawing and reported on the mill test certificate.
Dimensional Tolerances and Straightness of Aluminum Flat Bar
Tolerance depends on the manufacturing route, section size and standard. Extruded bar is checked to EN 755-3 / ANSI H35.2(M) class limits; plate-cut bar follows the plate standard. We do not apply a single blanket figure such as "± 0.1 mm" because width, thickness and length limits differ by process and dimension class - tell us the size and route and we quote the applicable tolerance.
Aluminum Flat Bar Weight per Meter
Theoretical weight per metre helps estimate handling, freight and material cost. For a rectangular solid section:
Weight (kg/m) = W (mm) × T (mm) × 0.001 × ρ (g/cm³)
| Section W × T (mm) | ~ Weight (kg/m) at ρ = 2.70 | Section W × T (mm) | ~ Weight (kg/m) at ρ = 2.70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 × 3 | 0.20 | 75 × 10 | 2.03 |
| 40 × 5 | 0.54 | 100 × 12 | 3.24 |
| 50 × 10 | 1.35 | 150 × 15 | 6.08 |
Calculated with density 2.70 g/cm³ (6061/6063/6082); other grades use 2.68–2.81 g/cm³, so adjust ρ. Result is a theoretical estimate; actual weight varies with tolerance and density.
Manufacturing, Surface Finish and Processing of Aluminum Flat Bar
Extruded or Cut-to-Size Aluminum Flat Bar
Flat bar is supplied two ways: extruded to a fixed rectangular section (ASTM B221 / EN 755), which suits standard sizes and longer lengths; or saw-cut from plate to a required width and thickness (ASTM B209), which suits non-standard sections and short runs. We confirm the route against your size, tolerance and quantity.
Surface Finish Options for Aluminum Flat Bar
Mill finish is standard. Anodized and polished surfaces are available where the application calls for them; for extruded bar these are coordinated as a secondary operation. Tell us the finish requirement and we confirm feasibility for your grade and size.
Cutting and Additional Processing of Aluminum Flat Bar
Cut-to-length sawing is routine; we confirm cut tolerance, minimum quantity and any processing charge at quotation. Light CNC machining, hole drilling and special dimensional tolerances are arranged case by case - send the drawing so we can review material, process and lead time.
Applications of Aluminum Flat Bar
Aluminum Flat Bar for Machining and Equipment Components
Machined parts - clamps, spacers, guide rails, brackets and fixture elements - use 6061 for stable machining and 6082 where the part carries load. Diameter is replaced by width and thickness accuracy; we confirm the section and tolerance against the part drawing.
Aluminum Flat Bar for Fabrication and Structural Components
Flat bar is used for frames, supports, lintels and fabricated structures where a flat, weldable section is needed. 6061 and 6082 cover most fabrication; we confirm section size, connection method and any forming or welding requirement.
Aluminum Flat Bar for Electrical and Corrosion-Exposed Service
Where conductivity or corrosion resistance drives the choice, the alloy and condition must be confirmed: 6061 / 6082 resist atmospheric and mild marine exposure, while for continuous seawater immersion the grade, temper and design are checked case by case. We advise on the right material rather than assuming one grade fits every environment.
Standards and Quality Inspection of Aluminum Flat Bar
Applicable Product Standards for Aluminum Flat Bar
Standard follows the manufacturing route, not the name alone. ASTM B221 / B221M and EN 755 cover extruded bar, rod, sections and tube; ASTM B209 applies to plate-cut flat bar sourced from rolled plate; GB/T 3191 applies to domestic Chinese supply. We match the standard to the route you order and state it on the MTC - B221 is not blanket-applied to every rectangular section.
Dimensional and Surface Inspection of Aluminum Flat Bar
Before packing we verify width, thickness, length, straightness/flatness and surface condition against the order. Out-of-square and edge condition are checked where specified. Results feed the inspection record that travels with the shipment.
Material Test Reports and Documentation for Aluminum Flat Bar
Every consignment ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate carrying the heat number, chemistry and mechanical values for traceability to the cast. EN 10204 3.2 certificates and third-party inspection (SGS / BV) are available on request - state the requirement when you inquire so it is built into the plan.
Supply Options for Aluminum Flat Bar Orders
Standard Sizes and Custom Requirements for Aluminum Flat Bar
GNEE holds common alloys, tempers and sections and produces custom sizes to drawing, including mixed multi-line orders in one shipment. We review each line - alloy, temper, width, thickness, length, quantity and standard - for availability, then quote. Send the full list and we quote it as one order.
Packaging, Lead Time and Shipping of Aluminum Flat Bar
Flat bars are bundled, interleaved and moisture-wrapped, with labels showing heat number, dimensions and weight; ends are protected and bundles are secured for sea freight. Documents - packing list, commercial invoice, bill of lading and mill test certificates - are prepared for customs clearance, and packing photos can be shared before loading. Pricing is benchmarked to SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) plus alloy and process factors; typical lead time is 15–30 days and MOQ is flexible - both small trial orders and full-container volumes are accepted, with larger volumes welcome.
Request a Quote for Aluminum Flat Bar
To quote accurately, send: alloy and temper, width × thickness, length, quantity (with unit), required standard, any surface or machining requirement, and destination. Alloy, dimensions and a contact email are enough to start; if you are unsure of grade or standard, send the application and we will review it.
FAQ
What is the difference between aluminum flat bar and rectangular bar?
They describe the same solid rectangular-section stock. "Flat bar" is common in distribution; "rectangular bar" is used where the section is near square or classified by shape. Both are solid - unlike hollow rectangular tube and unlike wide plate - so we confirm the actual W × T and corner radius with your drawing.
What aluminum flat bar sizes are available?
Standard supply is width 10–400 mm and thickness 3–100 mm, lengths 1–6 m cut to length. Wider widths come from plate-cut; exact limits depend on alloy and route and are confirmed by your drawing.
Which alloy is suitable for machining applications?
6061 is the default for machining and welding; 6082 where the part carries more load; 6063 where surface finish and anodizing lead. Send the part requirements and we confirm grade and temper.
What standards apply to aluminum flat bar?
ASTM B221 / EN 755 for extruded bar, ASTM B209 for plate-cut bar, GB/T 3191 for domestic supply. The matched standard is stated on the mill test certificate rather than assumed for all sections.
Can aluminum flat bar be cut to a specified length?
Yes - cut-to-length sawing is routine, with multiple lengths and close tolerances available. Confirm the required length, tolerance and quantity and we quote the processing.
What information is needed for an aluminum flat bar quotation?
Alloy and temper, width × thickness, length, quantity, required standard, surface or machining requirement, and destination. Alloy, dimensions and a contact email are enough to start.
Can you provide material test reports or inspection documents?
Every shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate. EN 10204 3.2 and third-party inspection (SGS / BV) are available on request - tell us at inquiry so they are planned in.
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