High-Performance 6061 Aluminum Plate Description
6061-T6 aluminum plate is a heat-treated alloy made mainly with aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. The "T6" means the material has gone through solution heat treatment and artificial aging. This process gives the aluminum plate higher strength and better hardness compared to standard aluminum sheets.
This material offers a very good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, machinability, and weldability. Because of these features, it is one of the most widely used aluminum grades in the world for industrial manufacturing. If you need a reliable material for CNC machining, making molds, or building structural frames, 6061-T6 is the standard choice.
Key Benefits of 6061 Aluminum Plate
- Great Machinability: It chips well during CNC turning and milling. It does not stick to cutting tools as much as softer aluminum grades.
- Lightweight: With a density of 2.7 g/cm³, it is about one-third the weight of carbon steel, reducing total product weight significantly.
- Good Welding: It can be welded using standard methods (TIG/MIG). Note: Welding will reduce the strength in the heat-affected zone, which is normal.
- Corrosion Resistance: Performs very well in normal weather and industrial environments without rusting.
- Cost-Effective: It is cheaper than 7000 series aluminum but offers much better mechanical strength than 5000 series aluminum.
Differences Between Different Tempers of 6061 Aluminum Sheet
While T6 is the most popular, it is important to know the difference between tempers to ensure you buy the right aluminum plate for your specific production line.
| Temper | Description | Features | Typical Use |
| 6061 O | Annealed | Softest state, best formability. | Deep drawing, bending. |
| 6061 T4 | Solution treated, naturally aged | Moderate strength, good workability. | Cold forming parts. |
| 6061 T6 | Solution treated + artificial aging | High strength and hardness. | CNC parts, fixtures, molds. |
| 6061 T651 | T6 + stress relief (stretched) | Keeps plate flat during heavy machining. | Precision CNC machining. |
| 6061 F | As fabricated | No mechanical property limits. | General rough use. |
Note: If you plan to remove a lot of material during CNC milling, we highly recommend the 6061-T651 aluminum plate to prevent warping.
Production Standards We Follow:
- GB/T 3190
- ASTM B209
- EN 485
Available Certifications: Mill Test Certificate (MTC), SGS Inspection, and ISO.
Equivalent Designations
| Standard | Designation |
| AA / UNS | 6061 / A96061 |
| ASTM | B209 (sheet/plate) |
| AMS | 4027 (T6 sheet/plate), 4117 (T651 plate) |
| EN | EN AW-6061 / AlMg1SiCu |
| DIN (W.Nr) | 3.3211 |
| JIS | A6061 |
| China (GB) | 6061 (old: LD30) |
| BS (UK) | HE20 |
| GOST (Russia) | АД33 |
Chemical Composition of 6061 Aluminum (per ASTM B209)
| Element | Range (%) | Role |
| Si | 0.40–0.80 | Forms Mg₂Si strengthening precipitates with Mg |
| Mg | 0.80–1.20 | Primary strengthener; enhances corrosion resistance |
| Cu | 0.15–0.40 | Improves age-hardening response and strength |
| Cr | 0.04–0.35 | Inhibits intergranular corrosion; controls grain structure |
| Fe | ≤0.70 | Impurity - reduces ductility at high levels |
| Mn | ≤0.15 | Minor grain refiner |
| Zn | ≤0.25 | Impurity |
| Ti | ≤0.15 | Grain refiner |
| Al | Balance | Base metal |
Physical Properties of 6061 Aluminum
| Property | O Temper | T6 / T651 | Unit |
| Density | 2.70 | 2.70 | g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 582–652 | 582–652 | °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 180 | 167 | W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 47 | 40–43 | % IACS |
| CTE (20–100°C) | 23.6 | 23.6 | μm/m·K |
| Elastic Modulus | 68.9 | 68.9 | GPa |
Mechanical Properties of 6061 Aluminum
| Temper | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) | Shear (MPa) |
| 6061 O | ≤150 | ~55 | ≥25 | ~30 | ~83 |
| 6061 T4 / T451 | ≥205 | ≥110 | ≥22 | ~65 | ~130 |
| 6061 T6 | ≥290 | ≥241 | ≥8 | ~95 | ~207 |
| 6061 T651 | ≥290 | ≥241 | ≥8 | ~95 | ~207 |
6061 Aluminum Plate Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
| Alloy | 6061 (UNS A96061 / EN AW-6061) |
| Tempers | O, T4, T451, T6, T651, T652 |
| Sheet Thickness | 0.2–6.0 mm (cold-rolled) |
| Plate Thickness | 6–250 mm (hot-rolled; T651 stress-relieved by stretching) |
| Width | 900–2650 mm |
| Length | Up to 6000 mm standard; custom-cut available |
| Surface |
Mill finish, bright, polished, brushed, sandblasted, anodized, checkered, embossed, Brushed bright |
| Protection Film | Blue / clear / B&W PE film (50 or 80 μm) |
| Standards | ASTM B209, AMS 4027 (T6), AMS 4117 (T651), AMS-QQ-A-250/11, EN 485-2, GB/T 3880 |
At GNEE, we support custom cutting and multi-size mixed orders. Send us your required thickness, width, and length, and we will calculate the weight and send you a direct quote within 24 hours.
Surface Finishes of 6061 Aluminum Alloy Sheet
- Mill Finish: The standard industrial surface directly from the rolling mill. Best for parts that will be hidden or painted later.
- Anodized: Adds a protective oxide layer. Increases corrosion resistance and allows for color dyeing.
- Brushed / Hairline: Gives a linear texture for decorative panels.
- Sandblasting: Creates a matte, rough surface, often used before coating.
- Powder Coating / PVDF: For outdoor architectural panels requiring weather resistance.
Common Applications of High-Performance 6061 Aluminum Plate
1. CNC and Machinery
Base plates for automated assembly lines.
Custom CNC machine tool panels.
Precision jigs and mounting fixtures.
2. Mold Manufacturing
Injection mold base plates.
Shoe molds and simple plastic bottle blow molds.
(Note: For high-pressure, high-wear molds, 7075 is better, but 6061 is the standard for normal molds).
3. Transportation
Truck bodies, side panels, and chassis components.
Flooring and interior wall panels for railway cars.
Standard ship structures (inner cabins, non-seawater-facing parts).
4. Building and Architecture
Heavy-duty curtain wall frames.
Structural roof supports.
Outdoor decorative support panels.
5. Electronics
Heat sinks for industrial equipment.
LED screen backing panels.
Battery housing frames for electric vehicles.
Recommended Thickness by Usage:
- Transportation Panels: 3mm – 10mm
- Structural Frames & Brackets: 6mm – 25mm
- CNC Machining Parts: 10mm – 50mm
- Mold Base Plates: 20mm – 150mm
Are you unsure if 6061-T6 is the right material for your truck body or mold project? Tell us what you are building, and our technical engineers at GNEE will give you free material selection guidance and current market prices.
Email us your project details now
6061 vs. Other Alloys
| Property | 6061-T6 | 6063-T6 | 5052-H32 | 7075-T6 |
| Series | 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) | 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) | 5xxx (Al-Mg) | 7xxx (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu) |
| Tensile (MPa) | ≥290 | ≥205 | ≥228 | ≥510 |
| Yield (MPa) | ≥241 | ≥170 | ≥160 | ≥434 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥8 | ≥8 | ≥7 | ≥7 |
| Machinability | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Corrosion | ★★★★ (anodized) | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ (bare) | ★★★ (needs protection) |
| Weldability | ★★★ (HAZ softening) | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ (not recommended) |
| Formability | ★★★ (T6); ★★★★★ (O) | ★★★★★ (extrusion) | ★★★★★ | ★★ |
| Cost | ●●○○ | ●●○○ | ●●○○ | ●●●● |
| Best For | Machined structural parts, jigs, marine fittings | Architectural extrusions, trim | Sheet metal forming, tanks, marine | Aerospace primary structure, high-load |
Tolerances and Quality Control
- Thickness Tolerance: ±0.02mm to ±0.1mm (depends on the total thickness of the plate).
- Cutting Tolerance: Standard cutting is ±1mm. We also offer high-precision saw cutting if requested.
- Flatness: We use precision leveling machines to ensure the plates lay flat on your machine beds.
- Testing: We conduct chemical composition analysis and mechanical property testing on all orders. For ultra-thick plates, we perform Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to ensure there are no internal air pockets or cracks.
- Third-Party Inspection: We fully support SGS, BV, or any other third-party inspection before loading.
Packaging and Shipping
Safe shipping is critical for international trade. Aluminum plates can easily be scratched or suffer from water damage (white rust) if packed poorly during sea freight.
GNEE Packaging Standard:
- Plates are stacked on strong export-grade wooden pallets.
- Wrapped completely in moisture-proof plastic film and kraft paper to block sea humidity.
- Hard corner protectors are applied to the edges.
- Bound tightly with steel or heavy-duty PET strapping.
Delivery Terms:
- Lead Time: 7 to 25 days depending on the quantity and custom cutting needs.
- Shipping Method: 20ft/40ft Container or Bulk Cargo for oversized plates.
- Loading Ports: Shanghai, Tianjin, or Qingdao port.
Pricing Reference
Price Formula:
Final Price = SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) Aluminum Ingot Price + Factory Processing Fee.
What affects your final processing fee?
- Thickness: Thin sheets (2-6mm) have standard pricing. Medium plates (10-50mm) are standard. Ultra-thick plates (>100mm) cost more to process and cut.
- Temper: T6 and T651 have different heat-treatment costs.
- Order Quantity: Full container loads (FCL) get a lower per-ton processing fee than small LCL orders.
- Cutting: Custom small block cutting will add a small labor fee.
Why Choose GNEE as Your Supplier
- 18+ Years Experience: We know aluminum manufacturing and export rules.
- Multi-Size Mixed Orders: This is our biggest advantage. You do not need to buy 5 tons of a single thickness. We allow you to mix 5mm, 15mm, and 50mm plates in one single order to save your cash flow.
- Stable Supply: We maintain a large inventory of standard 5000, 6000, and 7000 series aluminum plates.
- No Exaggeration: We sell what we promise. If a tolerance is ±0.1mm, we will tell you honestly. We do not promise impossible specs.
- Fast Export Process: Our sales team handles all customs, shipping, and document work smoothly.
GNEE provides high-quality 6061-T6 aluminum plates with honest pricing, strict tolerance control, and flexible mixed-order support. Click the button below or email us your purchase list (thickness, size, and quantity) right now. Our team will provide a clear, competitive quote within 24 hours.
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