6061-T6 Aluminum Plate.
Also known as 6061 aluminum plate, 6061-T651 plate, alloy 6061 and AA 6061.
6061-T6 aluminum plate is the general-purpose structural aluminum: strong for its weight, easy to machine, weldable and corrosion resistant. Machine shops and fixture builders use it for fixture plates, machine bases, brackets and tooling. All Industry Supplies supplies 6061-T6 plate cut to your size, with a quote within 1 business day.
6061-T6 Aluminum Plate specifications
| Material | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Grade | 6061-T6 |
| Also known as | 6061 aluminum plate, 6061-T651 plate, alloy 6061, AA 6061 |
| Forms | Plate |
| Density | 0.098 lb/in³ (2.70 g/cm³) |
| Tensile strength (typical) | 45 ksi (310 MPa) |
| Yield strength (typical) | 40 ksi (276 MPa) |
| Hardness (typical) | 95 Brinell |
| Weldability | Good with TIG or MIG; the weld zone loses much of its T6 strength |
| Sizes and lead time | Sizes, tolerances and lead times are quoted on request. |
Typical applications
- Fixture plates, subplates and tooling plates
- Machine bases, frames and guard panels
- Brackets, mounts and adapter plates
- Jigs, nests and locating plates
- End-of-arm tooling plates for robots
- Spacers, risers and cover plates
6061-T6 Aluminum Plate vs. the alternatives
7075-T6 aluminum plate
Nearly twice the yield strength of 6061-T6. Choose 7075 for thin, highly stressed plates where weight matters. It costs more, cannot be reliably TIG or MIG welded and resists corrosion less well, so 6061 stays the default for general fixture work.
Cast aluminum tooling plate
Cast plate is stress-relieved and has very low internal stress, so it stays flat after heavy one-sided machining. Choose it for flatness-critical plates such as inspection fixtures and vacuum plates. It is weaker than 6061-T6 and does not anodize as evenly.
Carbon steel plate
About three times as stiff as aluminum and far more wear resistant, at nearly three times the weight. Choose steel when rigidity and wear matter more than weight or machining time.
Machining and fabrication notes
6061-T6 machines cleanly at high surface speeds with carbide or HSS. Sharp, polished-flute cutters and coolant or mist prevent built-up edge. Plate in the T651 temper has been stretched to relieve internal stress, so it stays flatter when you remove a lot of material from one side. It takes clear, color and hard-coat anodize well. Welding drops strength near the weld well below T6, and getting it back takes a full solution heat treatment and aging, not aging alone.
Common questions about 6061-T6 Aluminum Plate
What is the difference between 6061-T6 and 6061-T651 plate?
T651 plate is solution heat-treated, stretched to relieve the stress from quenching, then aged to the same strength as T6. The difference is flatness: T651 plate moves less when you machine away a lot of material from one side. Most 6061 plate is T651, and buyers usually still call it 6061-T6.
Can 6061-T6 aluminum plate be welded?
Yes. It welds well with TIG or MIG using 4043 or 5356 filler. The heat-affected zone loses much of its T6 strength, though, so if the welded area carries load, design for the as-welded strength. Getting T6 strength back takes a full solution heat treatment and aging after welding, not aging alone.
Is 6061 or 7075 better for a fixture plate?
For most fixture plates, 6061: it machines easily, welds, anodizes well and costs less. Choose 7075 when the plate is thin and highly stressed, because 7075-T6 has nearly twice the yield strength. It cannot be reliably TIG or MIG welded and resists corrosion less well.
Can I get 6061 plate cut to size?
Yes. Send the thickness, width, length, quantity and the tolerance you need, and we quote cut blanks within 1 business day. The sizes, tolerance and lead time we can meet are confirmed on the quote.
Can I get material certifications with 6061 plate?
Ask for them with your quote. In the spec builder, tick what you need, such as a mill test report or a certificate of conformance, or type the specification the material must meet under Other. Which documents ship with the order is confirmed on your quote.
Does 6061 aluminum anodize well?
Yes. 6061 takes clear, color and hard-coat anodize well, which is why it is common for machined parts that need a hard, wear-resistant skin. Clear and color finishes can be less uniform than on alloys chosen for cosmetic anodizing, so check with your anodizer when appearance is critical.
Request a quote for 6061-T6 Aluminum Plate
Enter the size and quantity you need. The line goes on your quote list with the full spec attached, next to any catalog parts, and we answer within 1 business day.
Supplied throughUSA Industrials