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Sheet metal in Aluminum 6061-T6
Aluminum 6061-T6 is one of the most economical choices for sheet metal: good strength-to-weight: 45 ksi (310 mpa) tensile at 0.098 lb/in³ (2.70 g/cm³). On a representative bracket at 100 pieces it estimates at about $3.68 per part, with a lead time of 5–12 days. Typical tolerance is ±0.004–0.005 in (±0.10–0.13 mm) laser or punch.
- Per part
- $3.68
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 5–12 days
Price it in 6061-T6
Bracket · Sheet metal
Order total $488
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $3.68
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 5–12 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Width60.060.0 mm
Leg A (vertical)50.050.0 mm
Thickness2.002.00 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity100100 pcs
Material
R2 mm bend risks cracking 6061-T6
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
6061-T6 vs other sheet metal materials
The same bracket at 100 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. 6061-T6 is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | $3.68 | $4.88 | 37 g | 310 MPa |
| Aluminum 5052-H32 | $3.68 | $4.88 | 37 g | 228 MPa |
| Steel 1008 cold-rolled (CRS) | $3.72 | $4.92 | 108 g | 330 MPa |
| Steel A36 (structural) | $3.72 | $4.92 | 108 g | 450 MPa |
| Stainless steel 304 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 110 g | 505 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 110 g | 580 MPa |
| Stainless steel 430 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 107 g | 483 MPa |
| Copper C110 (ETP) | $4.91 | $6.11 | 123 g | 290 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
Sheet metal design rules
About 1× material thickness, or the shop's standard tooling radius
Use a standard inside bend radius
Use the same inside radius on every bend
Keep one radius per part
At least 4× material thickness
Minimum flange length
At least 2.5× thickness plus the bend radius
Hole-to-bend distance
At least 1× material thickness
Minimum hole diameter
Relief width at least 1× thickness; length at least bend radius plus thickness
Add bend relief
Questions
How much does sheet metal in 6061-T6 cost?
For a representative part (l-bracket 50 mm × 70 mm legs, 60 mm wide, 2 mm thick, r2 mm bend, 4 × ø5.5 mm holes), SSG's estimator gives about $3.68 per part at 100 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $4.88 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 6061-T6 a good material for sheet metal?
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 8 materials run in sheet metal, it ranks 1 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 6061-T6 sheet metal 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 sheet metal hold in 6061-T6?
Typical capability is ±0.004–0.005 in (±0.10–0.13 mm) laser or punch. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote sheet metal in 6061-T6.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.