Metal material guide
Aluminum CNC Machining Service
Aluminum is a practical starting point for lightweight housings, brackets and fixtures. The alloy, temper, stock form and finish must be selected together because each changes strength, stability, appearance and machining response.
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When Aluminum fits — and when to pause.
Good starting point
Weight, corrosion resistance and machinability matter.
Review carefully
Thin walls, large pockets or tight post-finish dimensions can move.
Do not assume
6061, 7075, cast tooling plate and sheet alloys are not interchangeable.
Use a complete material designation.
The following examples are common ways buyers describe the family. They are not a stock list and they do not authorise substitution.
- 6061-T6/T651Confirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
- 7075-T6/T651Confirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
- 2024-T3/T351Confirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
- 5052-H32 sheetConfirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
- 5083 plateConfirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
- 6063-T5/T6 extrusionConfirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
- cast tooling plate by supplier gradeConfirm supplier grade, condition, stock form and required documentation.
RFQ material line
Aluminum · alloy, temper and stock form · stock form · quantity · required certificates · permitted substitutions.
If an application approval matters, name the regulation, edition and acceptance evidence.
Plan machining around the material behaviour.
Stock condition
State plate, bar, extrusion or casting and the temper.
Stability
Identify thin walls, large pockets and flatness-critical faces before toolpath planning.
Finishing allowance
Dimension anodised or coated features with the final condition in mind.
Specify the final surface and dimensions.
Anodising
State type, colour, masking and cosmetic criteria; alloy and surface condition affect appearance.
Conversion coating
Define electrical-contact and corrosion requirements plus masked areas.
As-machined or blasting
Name roughness, directional marks and visual acceptance.
Separate material identity from dimensional inspection.
Purchase specification, supplier documents, lot traceability and an agreed identification or test method where appropriate.
Drawing, datums, critical characteristics, inspection conditions and the required report format.
Use the relevant tester only when the drawing defines the parameter, method, location and acceptance range.
Reference and quotation boundary.
External material reference: Hydro Alloy 6061 data sheet ↗
The source supports general material context. It does not establish Prolean stock, achievable tolerances, certification scope, price or delivery for a specific part. Those are confirmed in the quotation.
Technical review updated October 2026.
Aluminum machining questions.
How should Aluminum be specified for machining?
State the complete alloy, temper and stock form, the stock form, permitted substitutions and required documents. Add the drawing, quantity, finish and inspection requirements.
Does a listed grade mean it is stocked?
No. The examples help structure an RFQ. Availability, substitutions, price and delivery are confirmed for the project.
How are tolerances confirmed?
Tolerances depend on geometry, material condition, feature size, quantity, finishing and inspection conditions. Mark critical dimensions and datums; the quote confirms what can be held.
Can material documents and inspection reports be supplied?
State the required certificate, traceability and dimensional or test report with the RFQ. The available document set and test method are confirmed before production.
Bring the drawing and material into one review.
Send the CAD model or drawing, quantity, material designation, service conditions, finish and acceptance requirements.
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- MaterialComplete grade, condition, stock form and documents.
- PartCritical dimensions, datums, finish and inspection.
- ProjectQuantity and requested delivery date.