6061 is the most widely used structural aluminum alloy. Magnesium and silicon make it heat treatable, and the T6 temper delivers a useful balance of strength, corrosion resistance, weldability and machinability that suits almost any general structural part.
It extrudes exceptionally well, which is why custom profiles are so often designed in 6061, and it accepts anodizing cleanly for both protective and decorative finishes.
We stock 6061 as bar, plate, sheet, tube and standard shapes, and we produce custom extrusions and profiles from your die print.
Sizes and stock
- Bar and rod 0.250" through 16" diameter
- Plate 0.250" through 12", sheet from 0.016"
- Standard and custom extruded profiles to your die print
- Tube, pipe and coil in common tempers
Processing capabilities
- Custom extrusions and profiles from your die print
- Solution treat, age and anneal to T-temper
- Waterjet, saw and CNC machined blanks
- Anodizing, chemical milling and surface finishing
Specifications
Material is released to the applicable specification with mill test reports and, on request, independent lab verification.
Why engineers specify 6061
- Good strength to weight with excellent all round behaviour
- Weldable, machinable and readily anodized
- Extrudes into complex custom profiles
- Broad availability across every common product form
Nominal chemistry
Percent by weight, nominal composition per the governing specification. The mill test report for your heat is the controlling document.
Typical mechanical properties
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | ~18 ksi | ~8 ksi | ~25% | - |
| T4 | ~35 ksi | ~21 ksi | ~22% | - |
| T6 / T651 | 42 ksi min | 35 ksi min | 8-10% min | ~95 HBW |
Typical published values for reference only, not for design. Properties vary with section size, product form and processing. Order to the specification and condition your drawing requires.
Heat treatment and conditions
- 01Solution treat around 985F and quench
- 02Natural age to T4 or artificially age around 350F for 8 hours to T6
- 03T651 adds a controlled stretch to relieve residual stress in plate
If our stock is not already in the condition you need, we can quote the material with the heat treatment performed before it ships.
Typical applications
- Machined structural components
- Frames, brackets and fixtures
- Custom extruded profiles
- Marine and transport structure
- Tooling plate and jigs
Fabrication notes
Machining
Machines rapidly with sharp, polished, high rake tooling and high surface speeds. Heat treatable alloys cut cleanest in the T temper. Thick plate benefits from stress relieved tempers to limit movement when large volumes of material are removed.
Welding
Weldability varies by series. The 5xxx and 6xxx alloys weld readily with 4043 or 5356 filler; the 2xxx and 7xxx aerospace alloys are normally joined mechanically or by friction stir and specialized processes rather than fusion welding.
Forming
Form in the annealed or freshly solution treated condition where the temper allows, then age to final strength. Bend radii should follow the temper and thickness in the governing specification.
6061 compared with similar grades
6063
Better surface finish and extrudability for architectural profiles, lower strength.
7075
Much higher strength for aerospace structure, lower corrosion resistance and not readily weldable.
2024
Higher fatigue strength for airframe skins and structure, poorer corrosion resistance.
Designations and cross reference
- Material family
- Aluminum Alloys
- UNS number
- A96061
- Werkstoff (W.Nr)
- 3.3211
- EN designation
- EN AW-6061 / AlMgSi1
Working from an obsolete, foreign or superseded designation? Send it over and we will cross reference it to a current grade and specification.
Quality, testing and traceability
Supplied with mill test reports, temper verification, and ultrasonic inspection, conductivity, hardness and mechanical testing available on request.
We are AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 registered. If our stock does not already carry the inspection your specification requires, we can quote the material with that work performed. More on our quality system
Available forms
6061 frequently asked questions
What is 6061?
6061 is the most widely used structural aluminum alloy. Magnesium and silicon make it heat treatable, and the T6 temper delivers a useful balance of strength, corrosion resistance, weldability and machinability that suits almost any general structural part.
What forms is 6061 available in?
We supply 6061 in bar, billet, casting, extrusion, fitting, flange, foil, forging, pipe, plate, profile, rod, sheet, strip, tube, wire. Custom sizes are converted from billet, and we can provide saw cut, waterjet or near net blanks so material arrives closer to your finished part.
What is the UNS or equivalent designation for 6061?
6061 is designated UNS A96061, Werkstoff 3.3211, EN EN AW-6061 / AlMgSi1. If your drawing calls out an obsolete or foreign designation we can cross reference it and confirm the equivalent before you order.
What specifications can 6061 be supplied to?
Commonly ordered specifications include AMS 4021, AMS 4022, AMS 4023, AMS 4026, AMS 4027, AMS 4115. Material is released to the specification and condition on your purchase order, with mill test reports supplied as standard.
What conditions can 6061 be ordered in?
We can supply O (annealed), T4, T6 / T651. If our stock is not already in the condition you need, we can quote it with the heat treatment performed before shipment.
Can you cut 6061 to size?
Yes. Saw cutting, waterjet, laser and shearing are available, along with trepanning, gun drilling, lathe turning and CNC machining, so you can order blanks or rough machined pieces rather than full lengths.
Do you provide test reports and additional testing on 6061?
Every order ships with mill test reports and heat traceability. If your print calls for ultrasonic inspection, penetrant dye, magnetic particle, chemical assay, micrography, hardness or mechanical testing and our stock does not already carry it, we can quote the material with that work performed.
Can 6061 be supplied to DFARS domestic melt requirements?
Tell us at quote stage if the order is DFARS or domestic melt restricted and we will confirm availability against that requirement before you commit.
What do you need to quote 6061?
Grade, form, dimensions, quantity, specification and condition, plus any testing or certification requirements and the date you need it. Send a drawing if you have one. Quotes are typically ready within 24 hours.
How does 6061 compare with 6063?
Better surface finish and extrudability for architectural profiles, lower strength.