6061 aluminum sheet is one of the most versatile heat-treatable aluminum alloys, offering an excellent balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. The 6061-T6 temper delivers a tensile strength of 290 MPa, making it suitable for structural, aerospace, and marine applications.
HXM Aluminum supplies 6061 aluminum sheets in thicknesses from 0.5mm to 200mm, including T6, T651, and O temper conditions. All sheets are certified to ASTM B209 and EN 573-3 standards, with full traceability and mill test certificates provided.
Our processing capabilities include cut-to-length, CNC laser cutting, and surface treatments such as anodizing and brushing. Request a quotation with your specifications for competitive pricing and fast delivery.
Quick Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Alloy | 6061 (AlMg1SiCu) |
| Temper | T6, T651, T4, O |
| Standard | ASTM B209, EN 573-3, GB/T 3880 |
| Thickness | 0.5mm – 200mm |
| Width | 500mm – 2500mm |
| Length | 500mm – 12000mm (cut to size) |
| Surface | Mill finish, brushed, anodized, PVC coated |
| Processing | Cut-to-length, CNC laser cutting, milling |
| Certification | Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1) |
Chemical Composition
For flat-rolled 6061 aluminum sheets, the chemical composition specified in ASTM B209 (Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate) and EN 573-3 governs the rolling quality, formability, and subsequent heat treatment response. The composition is carefully controlled during casting to ensure uniform mechanical properties across the full width and length of each rolled sheet.
| Element | Min (%) | Max (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40 | 0.80 |
| Iron (Fe) | – | 0.70 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.15 | 0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | – | 0.15 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.80 | 1.20 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.04 | 0.35 |
| Zinc (Zn) | – | 0.25 |
| Titanium (Ti) | – | 0.15 |
| Others (each) | – | 0.05 |
| Aluminum (Al) | – | Remainder |
Composition notes for sheets: The silicon-to-magnesium ratio (ideally near 1.5:1) optimizes the precipitation of Mg2Si particles during T6 heat treatment, giving sheets their characteristic 290 MPa tensile strength. Manganese is kept below 0.15% to maintain formability in O-temper sheets for bending and stamping operations. Excess iron can cause streaking during anodizing, so iron is tightly controlled for architectural sheet applications.
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum sheets, tested per ASTM B209 and ASTM B557, depend on the temper condition and the rolling reduction ratio. Sheet products generally achieve slightly higher elongation values than extruded products due to the more uniform grain structure produced by rolling.
| Property | T6 Temper | T651 Temper | O Temper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | 290 | 290 | 150 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 240 | 240 | 83 |
| Elongation in 50mm (%) | 10 | 12 | 18 |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 95 | 95 | 30 |
| Elastic Modulus (GPa) | 68.9 | 68.9 | 68.9 |
| Fatigue Strength (MPa) | 96 | 96 | 62 |
Sheet-specific mechanical considerations:
- Minimum bend radius: In T6 temper, the minimum bend radius is 3.0 x thickness (e.g., 6mm for 2mm sheet). In O temper, it reduces to 1.0 x thickness, allowing tight bends.
- Flatness tolerance: T651 tempered sheets maintain better flatness (plus or minus 0.3mm/m) compared to T6, due to stress relief from the stretching operation.
- Formability limit: The elongation of 18% in O temper allows deep drawing and stamping; T6 temper with 10% elongation is limited to mild forming operations.
6061 aluminum sheets are available in a wide range of dimensions to meet diverse application requirements:
| Category | Thickness Range | Typical Width | Flatness Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Sheet | 0.5mm – 3.0mm | 1000mm / 1250mm / 1500mm | +/-0.5mm/m |
| Standard Sheet | 3.0mm – 12mm | 1000mm / 1250mm / 1500mm | +/-0.3mm/m |
| Plate | 12mm – 200mm | 1000mm – 2500mm | +/-0.2mm/m |
Sheet vs Plate: In the aluminum industry, sheets are typically defined as flat-rolled products under 6mm thick, while plates are 6mm and above. HXM Aluminum supplies both 6061 aluminum sheets and plates with the same alloy certification and quality standards.
Product Features
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio: 6061-T6 offers 290 MPa tensile strength at only 2.70 g/cm3 density, making it ideal for weight-sensitive applications.
- Superior corrosion resistance: The Mg-Si composition forms a protective oxide layer, providing excellent resistance to atmospheric and marine environments.
- Outstanding weldability: 6061 can be welded using TIG, MIG, and resistance welding methods, with 4043 or 5356 filler wire recommended.
- Good machinability: Rated as Class B machinability, 6061 sheets can be easily milled, drilled, and CNC machined to precise tolerances.
- Excellent anodizing response: 6061 produces a uniform anodized coating, making it suitable for decorative and protective surface finishes.
- Good formability in O temper: While T6 temper has limited formability, annealed (O temper) 6061 sheets can be bent, stamped, and deep drawn.
Applications
6061 aluminum sheets serve a broad spectrum of industries due to their balanced mechanical properties:
- Aerospace: Aircraft wing panels, fuselage skin panels, and structural components requiring high strength-to-weight ratio.
- Marine: Boat hulls, deck plates, and marine structural components benefiting from 6061’s saltwater corrosion resistance.
- Automotive: Body panels, chassis components, and heat shields where weight reduction improves fuel efficiency.
- Structural: Building facades, bridge components, and architectural profiles requiring structural strength.
- Electronics: Heat sinks, enclosures, and electronic housing benefiting from thermal conductivity and EMI shielding.
- General fabrication: Frames, brackets, and custom machined parts across diverse manufacturing sectors.
Recommended temper by application: T6 for structural and load-bearing applications; T651 for precision machined components requiring dimensional stability; O temper for forming and bending operations.
HXM Aluminum provides comprehensive processing services for 6061 aluminum sheets:
- Cut-to-length: Precision shearing and sawing to custom dimensions with +/-0.5mm tolerance.
- CNC laser cutting: High-precision laser cutting for complex shapes and patterns, suitable for prototyping and production runs.
- Surface treatments: Brushing, polishing, anodizing (clear and colored), and PVDF coating.
- Protective film: PVC protective film application to prevent surface damage during transport and handling.
- Custom packaging: Wooden pallets, steel straps, and moisture-proof wrapping for export shipments.
Why Choose HXM Aluminum
- Full alloy certification: Every 6061 aluminum sheet shipment includes EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates with chemical composition and mechanical test results.
- Wide stock range: Thickness from 0.5mm to 200mm in T6, T651, and O temper conditions available for immediate processing.
- Custom cutting service: CNC laser cutting and cut-to-length capabilities reduce your material waste and processing time.
- Export experience: HXM Aluminum exports to over 40 countries with experience in documentation, packaging, and logistics for international shipments.
- Quality inspection: Ultrasonic testing, dimensional inspection, and surface quality checks on every order.
Related 6061 Products
Looking for 6061 aluminum in other forms? HXM Aluminum’s integrated production covers all major 6061 product types, allowing you to source multiple forms from a single qualified supplier with uniform quality standards:
Each product form meets its applicable ASTM specification with full chemical and mechanical certification, ensuring material traceability from billet to finished product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 6061-T6 and 6061-T651 aluminum sheet?
What thickness range is available for 6061 aluminum sheets?
Can 6061 aluminum sheets be welded?
Is 6061 aluminum sheet suitable for marine applications?
What is the minimum bend radius for 6061 aluminum sheet?
How do I request a quotation for 6061 aluminum sheets?
What standards do HXM 6061 aluminum sheets comply with?
Can I get 6061 aluminum sheets anodized?
Request a Quote
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- Required information: Alloy/temper, thickness, width, length, quantity, surface finish, delivery destination
- Quotation turnaround: Within 24 hours of receiving complete specifications
- Minimum order: [COMPANY DATA REQUIRED]
- Lead time: [COMPANY DATA REQUIRED]
Click “Get A Quote” to submit your inquiry. Our technical team will review your requirements and provide a competitive quotation with full material certification.
