The 6061-aluminum grade is called a structural aluminum alloy due to its workability. It can be rounded, rolled, extruded, squared, or formed into a plate or any form. In the world today, 6061 aluminum is found in large quantities in a wide range of applications. These industries include:
- Automotive industries
- Modern aircraft industries
- Building construction industry e.g. subway platforms, stairs, flooring, cover plates, walk away, and more.
- Consumer products e.g. bicycle frames and components, small utility boats, fishing reel, SCUBA tanks., docks gangways, and more
- Electrical fittings.
- Food industries especially for canned foods
As listed above, the 6061 aluminum is used to provide superb strength in today’s car for fuel efficiency and cost-saving. While it weighs about one-third as much as steel, it helps to increase strength with fuel economy and increased performance inclusive.
Due to the excellent machinability of 6061 aluminum, it is used in the aircraft industry for welding and joining different components of the aircraft. However, welding may reduce the strength of 6061 aluminum, but the strength can be resolve by heat treatment upon finishing the welding process.
6061 is highly resistant to corrosion – no wonder for its choice in the marine industry. In this case, additional powder coating or painting is required. This will help to provide complete protection against unforeseen forces of nature. With an effective coating, seawater will not have a corrosive effect on 6061 aluminum. Also, this alloy is used for fishing equipment, boat hulls, scuba diving equipment, docks, marine firearms, mooring, and many more.