Aluminum Plates for Precision Machining
aluminum plates with tolerances. 6061/5083/7075 grades for CNC milling and structural applications.
AI Summary
Aluminum plates are flat-rolled products optimized for CNC milling, structural fabrication, and precision machining applications. Our 6061-T651, 5083-H116, and 7075-T651 plates feature stress-relieved conditions that minimize warping during material removal. Unlike extruded bars, plates offer superior flatness control (±0.1mm) and consistent thickness across large surface areas, making them ideal for aerospace components, tooling plates, and high-precision fixtures where dimensional stability is critical.
What Are Aluminum Plates?
Aluminum plates are flat-rolled metal products with thickness typically ranging from 3mm to 300mm. Unlike sheets (which are thinner) or extruded bars (which have different grain structure), plates are specifically manufactured for applications requiring superior flatness and thickness consistency.
The key advantage of plates lies in their surface stability. The rolling process creates a uniform grain structure that maintains dimensional accuracy during machining operations, particularly important for CNC milling where material removal can cause stress-related warping in non-optimized materials.
Key Advantages of Flatness Control:
- Reduced machining setup time and fixture complexity
- Consistent surface finish across large components
- Minimal post-machining stress relief requirements
Aluminum Plate Grades & Properties
Comprehensive specifications for our most popular aluminum plate grades, optimized for different applications and machining requirements.
| Alloy Grade | Temper | Key Advantages | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
|
6061
General Purpose
|
T651 |
• Excellent machinability
• Good corrosion resistance
• Stress-relieved condition
|
CNC machining, tooling plates, fixtures, general fabrication |
|
5083
Marine Grade
|
H116 |
• Superior corrosion resistance
• High strength-to-weight ratio
• Excellent weldability
|
Marine applications, pressure vessels, structural components |
|
7075
Aerospace Grade
|
T651 |
• Highest strength aluminum
• Excellent fatigue resistance
• Precision machining capability
|
Aerospace components, high-stress applications, precision tooling |
|
6082
Structural
|
T651 |
• High strength & toughness
• Good formability
• Excellent surface finish
|
Structural engineering, bridges, heavy-duty applications |
Flatness & Stress-Relieved Aluminum Plates (T651)
Why T651 Condition is Critical for Milling
The T651 temper designation indicates that aluminum plates have been solution heat-treated, quenched, and then stress-relieved by stretching. This process removes internal stresses that could cause warping during material removal operations, making it essential for precision CNC machining.
Stress Relief Process
- • Controlled stretching removes residual stresses
- • Eliminates warping during machining
- • Maintains dimensional stability
- • Reduces spring-back after material removal
Machining Benefits
- • Consistent cutting forces
- • Predictable tool life
- • Superior surface finish
- • Reduced scrap rates
Technical Specifications: Flatness Control
Quality Certifications
Lead Times
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about aluminum plates and their applications
The primary distinction is thickness and intended application. Aluminum sheets are typically under 6mm thick and used for lighter applications like roofing or automotive panels. Plates are 3mm and above, specifically manufactured for structural applications and precision machining. Plates undergo additional processing for flatness control and stress relief, making them superior for CNC operations where dimensional stability is critical.
6061-T651 is the most popular choice for general CNC milling due to its excellent machinability, good strength-to-weight ratio, and stress-relieved condition. For high-strength applications, 7075-T651 offers superior mechanical properties but requires more careful machining parameters. 5083-H116 is preferred when corrosion resistance is paramount, such as marine or chemical processing applications.
Stress-relief (T651 condition) eliminates internal stresses created during the rolling and heat treatment process. Without stress relief, removing material during machining can cause the plate to warp or bow as internal stresses are released. This is particularly critical for precision components where tight tolerances must be maintained throughout the machining process. The T651 temper ensures dimensional stability and reduces scrap rates.
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