Grade reference
6061 aluminium — the structural and machining workhorse.
Heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si alloy with good strength, good machinability and acceptable weldability. If a drawing does not state an alloy, 6061-T6 is usually what it means.
- Alloy system
- Al-Mg-Si (6000 series)
- Heat treatable
- Yes — T4, T6, T651
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Forms we hold
- Plate, bar, extrusions
What 6061 is
Strong, machinable, weldable, moderately corrosion resistant. The default for machined and structural parts.
Properties in practice
- Strength. Good — comparable to mild steel on a strength-to-weight basis
- Machinability. Good; predictable chip and surface finish
- Weldability. Good by TIG and MIG; strength in the weld zone drops and may need re-heat-treating
- Formability. Moderate in T6, better in T4 — tight bends want the softer temper
- Corrosion resistance. Good in general atmosphere; below 5052 and 5083 in marine service
- Anodising. Takes a clear or coloured anodic coating; finish is less even than 6063
Where it is used
- Machined components, jigs, fixtures and tooling plate
- Structural sections, brackets, base plates and frames
- Shafts, spacers and mechanical details turned from bar
- Truck and trailer structures, marine fittings above the waterline
- Pneumatic and hydraulic bodies
- Solar mounting and general engineering fabrication
Nominal composition
Magnesium 0.8 – 1.2 % · Silicon 0.4 – 0.8 % · Copper 0.15 – 0.40 % · Chromium 0.04 – 0.35 % · Aluminium Balance
Figures on this page are indicative typical values for comparison only. The mill test certificate supplied with your consignment is the governing document.
Tempers
6061 tempers and typical properties.
Indicative values for comparing tempers. Figures move with product form and thickness, and the mill test certificate governs.
| Temper | Tensile, MPa | Yield, MPa | Elongation, % | Condition and usual use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6061-T6 | ~310 | ~276 | ~12 | Solution treated and artificially aged. The standard condition for plate, bar and structural sections. |
6061-T651 | ~310 | ~276 | ~12 | T6 with a stress-relieving stretch. Used for plate that will be heavily machined. |
6061-T4 | ~241 | ~145 | ~16 | Solution treated and naturally aged. More formable; aged to T6 properties afterwards. |
Figures on this page are indicative typical values for comparison only. The mill test certificate supplied with your consignment is the governing document.
Forms
How we supply 6061.
Cut to size, cut to length or slit to width before dispatch, so the first operation on your floor is the one that adds value.
Available asPlates
Thick plate for machined parts, tooling, base plates and structural work.
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Available asBars
Round, square, flat and hex bar in machining grades, cut to length so your bar feeder gets what it expects.
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Available asExtrusions
Profiles for façades, window and door systems, frames and machine builds.
View detailsComparing grades?
Before you order
6061: what buyers ask.
Grade questions are the ones worth asking before the order, not after.
What does the T6 in 6061-T6 mean?
T6 is the temper: solution heat treated, then artificially aged to peak strength. It is the condition most plate, bar and structural section is supplied in, and it is what a drawing normally assumes when it says 6061 without qualification.
Can 6061 be welded?
Yes, by TIG and MIG with the usual 4043 or 5356 fillers. The heat-affected zone loses strength, so welded assemblies that must carry the full T6 properties need re-heat-treating and ageing. Design around the weld, or tell us and we will talk through the alternatives.
Is 6061 or 6063 right for extruded profiles?
6063 for architectural sections — it extrudes thinner and anodises more evenly. 6061 where the section is structural or gets drilled, tapped and machined. See 6063 aluminium for the comparison.
Which forms do you stock 6061 in?
Plate from 6 to 200 mm, round bar from Ø6 to 200 mm plus square, flat and hex sections, and extruded profiles. Plate and bar are cut to size before dispatch.