6061-T6 Aluminum Bar Stock

6061-T6 aluminum bar stock is the most versatile aluminum bar product on the market, available in both round and flat configurations for lathe turning, CNC milling, and structural fabrication. The T6511 temper designation used for extruded bar indicates the material has been solution heat treated, stress relieved by controlled stretching, and artificially aged, providing the same 45,000 psi tensile strength and 95 Brinell hardness as 6061-T6 sheet and plate. Round bar is the starting stock for lathe-turned components — shafts, bushings, spacers, standoffs, pins, and custom fasteners. 6061-T6 round bar turns cleanly with good chip control and produces excellent surface finishes at cutting speeds of 500-1,500 SFM with carbide tooling. The alloy's free-cutting nature and dimensional consistency make it the preferred material for CNC production runs of turned aluminum parts. Flat bar serves as convenient stock for milling operations where the part cross-section approximates a rectangular profile. Starting with flat bar closer to the finished part dimensions reduces material waste and roughing time compared to machining from plate. Both round and flat bar configurations weld reliably with standard TIG and MIG processes using 4043 or 5356 filler, and anodize with the same consistent results as 6061 sheet and plate. Our bar stock is cut to length from certified domestic mill stock meeting ASTM B221. Round bar is available from 1/4 inch through 6 inch diameter.