• What is 6061-T6511 Aluminum?

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What is 6061-T6511 Aluminum?

Aluminum is the third most abundant element and the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. Aluminum, in its purist form, is too reactive and soft to be of any structural use. However, mixing aluminum with various other elements such as Silicon, Copper and Magnesium creates an aluminum alloy, which is structurally much stronger and is of more use in the manufacturing of durable goods.

It's all in the numbers - 6061-T6
Aluminum alloys can be divided into grades from 1XXX to 7XXX. 6061 grade aluminum is used for a wide variety of products and applications from truck bodies and frames, to structural aircraft and aerospace components. 6061 can be further strengthened through a combined tempering process of solution heat treatment and artificial aging. The end material is now designated as 6061-T6 aluminum. The "T" signifies tempering and the "6" is the tempering method. Unfortunately, the downside of the tempering process is that it can produce internal stresses. These stresses may cause a finished machined part to distort over time.

Going the extra step - 6061-T6511
Stretching extruded 6061-T6 aluminum, by up to 3% of its length, can help relieve the internal stresses and produce a permanent set, thereby reducing the possibility of distortion of a finished machined part.

We only machine Hogue Extreme™ Aluminum grips, AR forends, Picatinny cuffs and knife frames from 6061-T6511 aluminum...giving you the best possible fit and function over a lifetime of use!

 

Note of interest: The famous Pioneer plaques that were mounted on the 1972 Pioneer 10 and 1973 Pioneer 11 spacecraft were made from gold-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum.