Advantages
Low density, useful specific strength, corrosion resistance, thermal/electrical conductivity and weldability. 6061 machines readily and accepts conventional or hard anodizing.
Aluminum
Aluminum alloys are used for lightweight, corrosion-resistant machined parts.
Plan the fit and finish together
A lightweight housing may also need a close fit, an anodized finish or an electrical contact surface. Aria helps you discuss the alloy and finishing requirements together, with critical and masked features identified on the drawing. That gives machining and inspection the same definition of the finished part.
Aria offers CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication, so you can discuss a machined housing and a formed enclosure within the same manufacturing enquiry. The proposed alloy and route follow the actual geometry.
Material options
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Colors | Silver-white, Custom anodized / coated colors |
| Special properties | T6 heat treatment strengthens suitable alloys. Hard anodizing can improve surface wear resistance; conductive conversion coatings serve different requirements. |
Detailed values describe 6061-T6 aluminum. Family ranges are broader selection references and may include different grades or reinforcement levels. Confirm the selected grade, condition and test method for your part. Melting temperature is not a working-temperature limit; use the mill certificate for the specified alloy and temper.
Material properties
| Property | Metric | Imperial | Test method / conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ | 0.098 lb/in³ | ASTM B221 · T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Tensile Strength UTS | 310 MPa | 45,000 psi | ASTM B221 · T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Yield Strength | 270 MPa | 39,000 psi | ASTM B221 · T6, 0.2% · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Elongation | 10~17 % | 10~17 % | ASTM B221 · T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Brinell Hardness | 95 HB | 95 HB | T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Elastic Modulus | 69 GPa | 10×10⁶ psi | Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Shear Strength | 205 MPa | 30,000 psi | T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Fatigue Strength | 96 MPa | 14,000 psi | 5×10⁸ cycles · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Thermal Conductivity | 167 W/m·K | 97 BTU/h·ft·°F | T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| CTE | 23.6 µm/m·K | 13.1 µin/in·°F | 20-100°C · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Specific Heat | 896 J/kg·K | 0.21 BTU/lb·°F | Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Melting Range | 582~652 °C | 1080~1205 °F | Solidus–liquidus · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Electrical Conductivity | 43 % IACS | 43 % IACS | T6 · Reference: 6061-T6 aluminum |
Material family ranges — selection reference
| Property | Family reference |
|---|---|
| Material class | Light metal alloy |
| Density (g/cm³) | 2.6–2.8 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 90–570 |
| Elongation at break (%) | 5–25 |
| Elastic modulus (GPa) | 68–72 |
| Hardness | HB 30–150 |
| Temperature reference (°C) | Melting point 480–660 |
Product standards and grade references
| Standard or designation | Scope and selection notes |
|---|---|
| ASTM B209 / B209M | Aluminum-alloy sheet and plate. |
| ASTM B211 / B211M | Rolled or cold-finished aluminum-alloy bar, rod and wire. |
| ASTM B221 / B221M | Extruded aluminum-alloy bar, rod, wire, profiles and tubes. |
| 6061 designation references | AA 6061; EN AW-6061; GB 6061. Specify the temper, product form and governing standard. |
| Before ordering | Grade names listed for comparison are not a blanket equivalence declaration. Agree the product standard, edition, delivery condition and required certificate before approving a substitution. |
Advantages and considerations
Material limitations
6061 is less strong than 7075 and loses load-bearing performance during prolonged high-temperature exposure; the supplied overview flags temperatures above 170°C.
How Aria supports your project
Help choosing a material
Compare materials for the loads, temperature and environment your part will face.
Design feedback before production
We review tool access, geometry and material choice before manufacturing.
Inspection to your drawing
Dimensional checks and inspection reports for the critical features on your drawing.
Applications
Typical applications
Housings, brackets, heat sinks, fixtures, consumer electronics, drone and bicycle parts, and lightweight automotive components.
Design considerations
Processing options
Three- and five-axis CNC milling, high-speed cutting, turning, drilling, tapping and wire EDM in suitable stock.
Finishing options
Conventional, hard or colored anodizing; blasting, brushing, polishing, powder coating, electrophoretic coating, conversion coating and qualified nickel/chrome plating.
Grade and finish combinations
Control anodized color consistency and allow for coating growth on close fits; the supplied reference gives 10–50 µm per side for some hard-coat processes. Welding reduces 6061-T6 strength locally and may require a specified heat-treatment route. Common alternatives include 7075, 2024, 5052 and 6063.
Color and grade options
Natural silver-white. Anodized black, gray, red, blue, gold and other specified colors. Custom paint or powder-coat colors.
Start a project
Get a quote for your parts
Upload your CAD files and tell us the material and quantity you need.
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