The 6061 aluminum sheet is a readily weldable and machinable product. It can be formed using a variety of standard methods of cold working and hot treatment. This alloy is mixed with silicon and magnesium. Out of the heat treated aluminums, this alloy has the highest resistance to corrosion. It is frequently used in marine settings, such as for boat fittings, boat hardware and marine components. Because of its good weight-to-strength ratio, it can be used for heavy duty structures that need good resistance to corrosion.
Cold working can be used to form this aluminum product for use in applications. Typical methods of cold working can be used for tapping, cutting, deep drawing, stamping, bending and drilling, among others. It’s best to perform cold working when 6061 aluminums are in the annealed state.
Forging can be used as well, which is recommended at between 750 and 900 degrees F. Hot working methods can be used at between 500 and 700 degrees F. The weldability of this aluminum is great. Common techniques of welding can be used. For heat treatment, 990 degrees F should be used, along with water quenching. For precipitation hardening 320 degrees F should be used for 18 hours and then 350 degrees F for eight hours, both followed by air cooling.
Annealing can be done before cold working. This has a recommended temperature of 775 degrees F. The temperature should be dropped down to 500 degrees F, which should be done by reducing the temperature by 50 degrees F every hour. Age precipitation heat treating can also be performed, which requires eight hours at 350 degrees F, then air cooled. This will produce the T6 temper.
The available sizes for the 6061 aluminum sheet are between .063 and .1875 inch thick, 48 and 60 inches wide and up to 144 inches long.