6061 aluminum alloy is considered to be one of the most popular choices among many manufacturers and metalworkers. Its resistance to various types of corrosion is its best feature and also the reason for its popularity. However, aluminum is not an extremely strong metal but this particular alloy has high strength, and corrosion resistance and it reduces the stress on parts. This alloy‘s texture is similar to steel, but it is easy to work on and can be polished with different colors.

What Is 6061 Aluminum Alloy? First of all, let’s define 6061 aluminum alloy. Mainly, this alloy is produced with 3 elements that are aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. Element percentages are different for various uses. For example, aircraft parts usually contain 1% magnesium and copper but ball bearings mostly have a high percentage of silicon.

To achieve specific characteristics, various elements are used to make alloys. So, other elements vary according to the use of alloy. For instance, to manufacture long-lasting parts, magnesium and silicon are added to aluminum alloys to maximize their strength and corrosion resistance. Another notable thing is aluminum itself has a low level of melting point; so mostly it is alloyed with other metals to improve its strength. Let’s go through the top benefits of 6061 aluminum alloy.

High Corrosion Resistance: The combination of magnesium and silicon gives 6061 aluminum a higher resistance to corrosion than others in its aluminum alloy family. Therefore, it can be used anywhere without any worries related to the corrosion effects on your application. What is notable is that you can even use it in extremely corrosive environments. It is one of the top materials for applications related to water cooling, underwater welding, and even aerospace. If your product usually comes in contact with salt water, moisture, or humidity, 6061 aluminum is the perfect choice for your application.

Strength: With silicon addition to alloy 6061, it gets the ability to resist corrosion and work more strongly. Plus, it has nice cold work properties so it can be molded and bent without cracks. For example, to manufacture a curvy product and require various cuts and shapes, the 6061 Extruded Aluminum Bar is the best choice as it will be easy for you to bend it into various shapes instead of making extra efforts in cutting panels out and then welding them together with high-strength joints. The popularity of this alloy is also high for buildings and bridges as they want a metal that will hold up over time while being cost-effective.

Final Words: Alloy 6061 aluminum is one of the most popular and used aluminum alloys. Machines that make pieces of it are also highly efficient that’s why this alloy is considered to be cost-effective in comparison to other materials. This alloy is more corrosion-resistant than other aluminum alloys however you should think well and take expert advice to choose the best alloy according to your application. If you are ready to purchase a 6061 extruded aluminum bar then ArchMetals will be the best supplier for you to take the best quality product at a competitive price.