6061-T6 Aluminum (UNS A96061) is a good-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 2.70 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 310 MPa and a typical hardness of HB 95. Those numbers make it the right choice for enclosure plates and brackets, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.01 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 0.8 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for 6061-T6 Aluminum parts is 3-7 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
6061-T6 Aluminum: key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | A96061 |
| Density | 2.70 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 310 MPa |
| Hardness | HB 95 |
| Machinability | Good |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 300-600 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 2 of 5 |
Machining 6061-T6 Aluminum: what to plan for
- Distortion on thin walls after T6
- Anodize colour shift between lots
Cutting speed for 6061-T6 Aluminum with carbide tooling sits around 300-600 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Air blast or flood coolant both work, but chip evacuation must be positive. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Enclosure plates
- Brackets
- Heat sinks
- Vacuum chucks
- Pneumatic manifolds
Most 6061-T6 Aluminum work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.01 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 0.8 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 3-7 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for 6061-T6 Aluminum parts?
Standard is 3-7 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in 6061-T6 Aluminum?
+/-0.01 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep 6061-T6 Aluminum in stock?
We hold common sizes of 6061-T6 Aluminum and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply 6061-T6 Aluminum parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
- 7075 Aluminum CNC Machining: Aerospace-Grade Parts
- 5052 Aluminum CNC Machining for Sheet and Enclosure Parts
- PMMA Acrylic CNC Machining: Clear Optical Parts
- 6082 Aluminum CNC Machining (EU Equivalent of 6061)
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
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