CNC 6061 ALUMINUM

CNC machining aluminum is an admirable and valuable process. For anyone who wants machined parts of great quality and captivating characteristics, CNC machining techniques are recommended. Now, if you’re trying to figure out what CNC method you should opt for. Or which aluminum grade will be best for your part, this FAQ guide will undoubtedly help you through.

Figure 1 – CNC 6061 Aluminum Machining

1. Which Elements Are Used in The CNC 6061 Aluminum Grade?

There are a total of three main elements that are mixed up to produce the 6061 aluminum grade. These elements are,

• Aluminum
• Magnesium – It is used to maximize the strength of the material. But magnesium is used to a specific limit, which is why this 6061 aluminum alloy has medium strength.
• Silicon – This element lowers the material’s melting point, which makes it heat resistant to a great extent. If the melting temperature of any metal is reduced, it can be used for the manufacturing of certain parts that are needed in high-temperature environments.

The main constituents of this grade are magnesium and silicon. The 6061 alloy has the qualities of all these materials. The characteristics of magnesium and silicon come together with those of aluminum to produce this highly useful aluminum grade. You can rely on it for your multiple projects and productions because of its durability and sturdiness.

2. Why is CNC 6061 Aluminum Stronger than 6063?

The CNC 6061 aluminum also has a small amount of copper dissolved in it with all other constituents. Now, you must be aware of the fact that copper is a strong material and possess high strength and sturdiness.

Figure 2 – Aluminum 6061-Grade

This copper material is not present in the 6063-grade aluminum. That is the reason why 6061 is stronger and better in strength than 6063. Thus, you can use it for producing tough and solid parts for high reliability.

3. Which Machining Method is Commonly Used for CNC 6061 Aluminum?

The most common CNC technique which uses the 6061 aluminum alloy is 5-Axis CNC machining. This method is a modern technique newly introduced in CNC machining. You can use it for producing highly complex parts and structures. No matter how intricate the geometry of your product is, you can produce it by using the 5-Axis CNC machining method.

Figure 3 – Aluminum Alloys

The CNC 6061 Aluminum grade is used in this machining method because of its multiple benefits. The easy machinability and weldability of this material make it preferable for producing functional parts. The perfect ratio of strength and flexibility of this 6061 alloy is highly admirable.

Another reason why CNC aluminum is preferred for 5-Axis CNC Machining is its high-temperature endurance capability. The parts produced by this method need to be able enough to stand through tough weather conditions. For instance, aircraft fuselage, space crafts, marine devices, etc. These products always need to be manufactured using the best material and method.

CNC 6061 aluminum has the perfect characteristics for these purposes. It also possesses specific properties that are useful in the production of quality parts. So, choose this material and the CNC technique if you want to get the best. You can hire professional manufacturers and CNC parts suppliers to produce standard parts for you.

4. How Can You Make Prototypes Using CNC 6061 Aluminum?

This grade of aluminum is helpful for multiple purposes. Apart from manufacturing high-quality parts and functional products, you can also make prototypes with it. The 6061 aluminum is reliable and strong. Thus, you can manufacture functional and exact prototype designs using it.

Whether you want a prototype for the automotive or aerospace industry, 6061 can do it all for you. You can choose any machining method, prepare design, codes and manufacture the prototype right away.

The recommended method would be CNC milling because of its easy handling and fast productions. Moreover, you can use CNC 6061 aluminum to produce precise and exact prototype models for your significant business projects with this technique.

5. How is CNC 6061 Aluminum Helpful in the Engineering Industry?

The 6061 is a wholesome aluminum grade with numerous profitable features in it. Due to those features, you can use them to make high-tech engineering parts and products. You can also manufacture mechanical parts with plenty of features using this grade.

Some of the most recognized parts that you can make through this aluminum material in the engineering industry are,

• Car panels and engines
• Lighting fixtures
• Spline and cylindrical shafts
• EMI-housings
• Valves
• Aircraft fuselages, etc.

The engineering industry has gotten lots of advantages because of this aluminum alloy. The manufacturing of many complex structures and parts has now become easier and fast. You can choose the material depending upon your requirements and produce a part that is not only efficient but useful for the long run.

6.  Are There Any More Aluminum Alloys Made Up of Si & Mg Other Than 6061?

The whole series of 6000 grades are made up of Silicon and Magnesium elements. There are multiple alloys present in these series. All of these grades are super functional when it comes to manufacturing high-quality aluminum parts and metal components.

Because of having the same main constituents, the entire 6000 series have a similar set of specifications. All are strong, reliable, and worthwhile. These grades are also affordable and easy to handle. You can find them in the market easily because they’re always readily available.

The most common grade among these series is 6082. However, the most easily machinable is 6061 alloy. Different alloys have their own specialties and are used for different purposes. You can choose the alloy that you find fit for the manufacturing of your part. Or can also contact manufacturers and suppliers in China for help. They can help you select the best suitable alloy for your part by discussing all the main specifications of each alloy.

Figure 4 – 6061 Aluminum Sheets

7. Is 6061 Aluminum Grade the Strongest Alloy of All?

No, there are many more aluminum alloys that are stronger and possess highly durable qualities. The 6061 grade is indeed a strong aluminum alloy, but it is not the strongest. It is used because of its high machinability and trustworthy characteristics. Otherwise, there are many grades that are stronger and more well-known than 6061.

• The 7075 Aluminum alloy is a lot more solid in strength than 6061. Its melting point is lower. However, its strength is much higher.
• 7068 grade of aluminum is the strongest of all. If you compare all the alloys of aluminum in the CNC industry, you’ll know that the 7068 material is the one with the highest tensile strength.

Apart from these alloys, steel is also known for its strength. Its high strength-to-weight ratio makes it reliable for manufacturing highly complex and strong CNC aluminum parts. So, this proves that 6061 is not the strongest material or the alloys present in the market.

There are many more alloys that possess a high strength-to-weight ratio as compared to 6061 aluminum grade. However, its medium strength makes it machinable and highly useful for plenty of lightweight components manufacturing. You can discuss further with your professional manufacturers to know about these grades in detail.

Figure 5– 6061 Aluminum Process

8.  How the Strength of CNC 6061 Aluminum is Enhanced?

All the alloys of the 6000 series are heat-treated. This means that they have lower melting points and more endurance for high temperatures. Such a structure of alloys makes them stronger for mechanical and functional uses.

The CNC 6061 Aluminum has a good strength-to-weight ratio because of this reason. The heat-treated solution makes it resistant to extreme temperatures. This enhances the alloy’s strength and makes it so much more reliable and efficacious for multiple purposes.

Figure 6 – 6061 Aluminum Processing

This is also the reason the 6061 alloy has high weldability and improved strength. You can manufacture sturdy structural and intricate components using the CNC 6061 aluminum process. Moreover, you can also use the CNC techniques that use the welding fabrication method for the manufacturing of the products. It is because the 6061 alloy is usable for all these purposes.

9. How is CNC 6061 Aluminum Different from 7075 Alloy?

There are multiple differences in the mechanical properties of both these alloys. From their chemical compositions to applications, both these grades differ for various reasons. Following are the main differences in both these elements,

• Major Constituents

Some of the properties of both grades differ because they have distinct major constituents. The 6061 aluminum grade has large amounts of magnesium and silicon in it. While the 7075 alloys are made up of magnesium and zinc. Due to this difference, the major characteristics of both alloys differ too.

• Amount of Copper

The 7000 series, including the 7075 alloys, has copper as a significant element in their structures. Whereas the 6061 grade only has a slight amount of copper present in it. The amount of copper signifies the strength of the material. This is also the reason 7075 alloy has a much great strength-to-weight ratio as compared to the 6061.

Figure 7 – CNC 6061 Machined Parts

• Tensile Strength

As described earlier, 7075 alloy is stronger than 6061. Thus, the tensile strength of this alloy is also a lot higher than that of 6061 grade. You can also say that 7075 alloy has almost double tensile strength and thus, is a lot stronger than CNC 606 Aluminum alloy.

• Machinability

Now, the CNC 6061 aluminum is better than 7075 alloys in this matter. Because of having higher tensile strength, it is not easy to machine or fabricates the 7075 alloy. It takes high strength and power of machines to do so. Whereas the 6061 grade of aluminum is known to be the most easily machinable material. If you use the right machinery and method, machining this alloy won’t be a problem at all.

• Uses

The major uses of both these alloys are somewhat similar because, after all, they both belong to the same family, Aluminum. They are used in automotive, aerospace, marine, and technical industries. However, their detailed usage is different.

The 7075 alloy is used in places where strength and stronger parts are required. However, in the areas where you need machinable, round, and reliable parts, CNC 6061 aluminum is the best option. You must choose between these alloys wisely to get the best results.

Both these materials have their own pros, cons, characteristics, and uses. They are distinct and functional in their own ways. All you need to do is select the one that suits your business projects the best. To make this choice easier, contact trustworthy CNC parts suppliers from China. They can help you choose the material as well as manufacture the best parts for your project.

10. Is 6063 a Better Material Than CNC 6061 Aluminum?

None of these aluminum alloys is better than the other. However, both have different characteristics and properties. You must know the difference in alloys before choosing them for manufacturing your standard part.

• CNC 6061 Aluminum alloy has more strength ratio as compared to 6063. Thus, it can be used for manufacturing parts with higher tensile strength and sturdiness.
• If you want to select an aluminum alloy for customized extrusions, 6063 would be better. It has more properties that can be used for the extrusion processes. For example, you can manufacture frames, aluminum trims, etc., using this alloy easily.
• 6061 alloy renders fine finishing. However, 6063 has a better and smoother surface at the end. It is because the anodization ability of 6063 is higher than that of 6061. Thus, you won’t need to spend a significant amount on the finishing processes if you manufacture your part with 6063 aluminum alloy.

There are many other characteristics and abilities of both these aluminum alloys that are different from each other. This makes both of them productive for different purposes. You cannot use 6061 if you want a smooth-surfaced part. At the same time, you should use it if you want a part with more strength and temperature endurance ability.

11. Why is CNC 6061 Aluminum Grade Recommended for Manufacturing Fishing Equipment?

Its main reason is its corrosion-resistive ability and strength. The 6061 alloy might not be the strongest, but it has enough strength to manufacture highly efficient fishing equipment and parts.

Moreover, its corrosion-resistive ability makes it worthwhile for manufacturing parts that are to be used in water. These parts tend to last and work for longer time durations. Otherwise, if your equipment is weak and prone to corrosion, it’ll get damaged really soon in the water.

Thus, if you want fishing equipment or any parts related to submarines or water, you must opt for CNC 6061 aluminum for its manufacturing.