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CNC machining in Aluminum 6061-T6
Aluminum 6061-T6 is a proven choice for cnc machining: good strength-to-weight: 45 ksi (310 mpa) tensile at 0.098 lb/in³ (2.70 g/cm³). On a representative plate at 50 pieces it estimates at about $33.10 per part, with a lead time of 5–10 days. Typical tolerance is ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm), or ISO 2768-m.
- Per part
- $33.10
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 5–10 days
Price it in 6061-T6
Plate · CNC machining
Order total $2,193
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $33.10
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 5–10 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length120120 mm
Width80.080.0 mm
Thickness6.006.00 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity5050 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
6061-T6 vs other cnc machining materials
The same plate at 50 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. ABS is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | $30.80 | $41.50 | 59 g | 43 MPa |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | $30.80 | $41.50 | 54 g | 26 MPa |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 68 g | 65 MPa |
| Nylon 66 (PA66) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 65 g | 83 MPa |
| Acetal (POM) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 80 g | 62 MPa |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | $32.10 | $42.80 | 67 g | 70 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | $33.10 | $43.90 | 153 g | 310 MPa |
| Aluminum 6063-T5 | $33.10 | $43.90 | 153 g | 186 MPa |
| Aluminum A380 (die cast) | $33.10 | $43.90 | 153 g | 324 MPa |
| Aluminum 7075-T6 | $35.00 | $45.70 | 159 g | 572 MPa |
| Brass C360 (free-cutting) | $42.00 | $52.70 | 480 g | 400 MPa |
| Steel 1018 (cold drawn) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 445 g | 440 MPa |
| Steel 1045 (cold drawn) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 445 g | 625 MPa |
| Steel 12L14 (leaded free-machining) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 445 g | 540 MPa |
| Steel A36 (structural) | $45.40 | $56.20 | 444 g | 450 MPa |
| Copper C110 (ETP) | $48.50 | $59.20 | 503 g | 290 MPa |
| PEEK (polyether ether ketone) | $50.20 | $60.90 | 74 g | 98 MPa |
| Steel 4140 (annealed) | $52.20 | $62.90 | 444 g | 655 MPa |
| Stainless steel 304 | $60.60 | $71.30 | 453 g | 505 MPa |
| Stainless steel 303 | $61.10 | $71.80 | 453 g | 620 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $62.70 | $73.40 | 453 g | 580 MPa |
| Stainless steel 17-4 PH (H900) | $66.60 | $77.30 | 440 g | 1379 MPa |
| Titanium Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | $99.00 | $110 | 251 g | 950 MPa |
6061-T6 at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 310 MPa51th pct
- Yield strength
- 276 MPa50th pct
- Density
- 2.7 g/cm³47th pct
- Max service temp
- 150 °C55th pct
- Elongation
- 12 %22th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Good strength-to-weight: 45 ksi (310 MPa) tensile at 0.098 lb/in³ (2.70 g/cm³)
- Machines fast with good chip control and finishes to 32 µin Ra (0.8 µm)
- Weldable by TIG and MIG with 4043 or 5356 filler
- Anodizes cleanly in clear, black and dyed colors
- Stocked in bar, plate, sheet, tube and extruded shapes
Watch for
- As-welded strength drops to about 24 ksi (165 MPa) tensile in the heat-affected zone
- Cracks on tight bends in T6; allow an inside radius of 1.5–3× thickness or use 5052-H32
- Strength falls off above about 300 °F (150 °C)
- No true fatigue endurance limit; design cyclic parts to a stated cycle life
CNC machining design rules
At least 1/3 of cavity depth; 0.030 in (0.8 mm) minimum
Radius internal corners
Depth no more than about 4× pocket width
Limit pocket depth
0.030 in (0.8 mm) in metal; 0.060 in (1.5 mm) in plastic
Minimum wall thickness
About 4× diameter standard; up to 10× with peck drilling
Limit hole depth
About 1.5× diameter for most tapped holes
Limit thread depth
Match standard drill, reamer, and tap sizes
Use standard hole sizes
Questions
How much does cnc machining in 6061-T6 cost?
For a representative part (plate 120 mm × 80 mm × 6 mm, 4 × ø6.6 mm holes, r6 mm corners), SSG's estimator gives about $33.10 per part at 50 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $43.90 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 6061-T6 a good material for cnc machining?
It is when you need good strength-to-weight: 45 ksi (310 mpa) tensile at 0.098 lb/in³ (2.70 g/cm³) and machines fast with good chip control and finishes to 32 µin ra (0.8 µm). Watch for as-welded strength drops to about 24 ksi (165 mpa) tensile in the heat-affected zone. Of 23 materials run in cnc machining, it ranks 7 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 6061-T6 cnc machining parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), anodize type ii (sulfuric), anodize type iii (hardcoat), chem film (chromate conversion), powder coat. The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can cnc machining hold in 6061-T6?
Typical capability is ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm), or ISO 2768-m. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote cnc machining in 6061-T6.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.