Aluminum 6061
☀ UV Stable
⬡ Chemical Resistant
Overview
6061-T6 aluminum — the most machinable common aluminum alloy. Desktop CNC machines can cut it with conservative settings, dedicated aluminum bits, and air blast for chip clearing. Not easy without proper setup.
Properties
Difficulty
expert
Flexibility
rigid
Enclosure
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
- Real metal machining capability
- Dimensionally precise
- Strong and light
- Platable and anodizable
Cons
- Very difficult on low-power desktop CNC
- Air blast or coolant mandatory
- Chip welding — wrong feeds wreck bits
- Requires rigid machine setup
Best For
- Small brackets and hardware\nProofs of concept for metal parts\nHigh-precision jigs
Avoid For
- Underpowered machines (<300W spindle)\nDeep pockets without air blast
Storage
Keep dry to prevent oxidation.
Brands
Online MetalsMcMaster-CarrMetalsDepot