Alloys / 6061-T6
6061-T6 Aluminum
The default machining alloy. Cuts fast, welds, anodizes evenly, and every shop stocks it in plate, bar and block.
What it is
6000 series, aluminum-magnesium-silicon. T6: solution heat treated then artificially aged to peak strength.
Machining
Breaks into a clean chip at high speed and tolerates aggressive feeds, which is why it is the material most CNC pricing is benchmarked against. Threads, thin walls and small bores all behave predictably.
Finishing and joining
Takes a Type II or Type III anodize as evenly as any wrought aluminum gets, in clear or colour. Welds without filler issues, which most 7000 and 2000 series alloys cannot do.
Where it turns up
- Machined housings and enclosures
- Brackets and motor mounts
- Manifolds and fluid blocks
- Jig and fixture components
Read further
- When 7075 is worth the strength upgradeRead the guide
- 6082 vs 6061 for a European shopRead the guide
- What T6, T651 and T4 mean on the drawingRead the guide
At a glance
| Yield strength | 276 MPa |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ |
| Weldability | 5 / 5 |
| Anodizing | 5 / 5 |
| Corrosion resistance | 4 / 5 |
| Strength for weight | 3 / 5 |
| Stays flat | 3 / 5 |
| Machinability | 5 / 5 |
Scores run 1 to 5, editorial judgements for comparison, not measured values. Yield is a typical published figure for this temper, not a guarantee for your lot.
Full property table for all alloys: alloy selector.
Questions
Is 6061-T6 weldable?
Yes, 6061-T6 welds without special difficulty. It is one of the more forgiving alloys on this list to join.
Does 6061-T6 anodize evenly?
Yes, it takes a Type II or Type III anodize evenly, in clear or colour, and is a safe choice for a visible cosmetic part.