About the Aluminum material

Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals in the world because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, low cost, and recyclability. GPT precision offers multiple aluminum alloys parts.
Our standard alloy on platform is 6061, a versatile and easy-to-machine metal. It is corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic, and heat treatable.
7075 Aluminum is a hard, high strength alternative to 6061 Aluminum . It is often used for parts in high-stress applications, and is also corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic and heat treatable.
7050 Aluminum can be used instead of 7075 when high stress corrosion resistance is necessary (ie. bulkheads and fuselage frames). It is heat treatable and non-magnetic.
2024 Aluminum is not as strong as 7075 Aluminum but is commonly used when a high strength-to-weight ratio is required. It is heat treatable and non-magnetic.
5052 Aluminum is the easiest aluminum to weld and is exceptionally corrosion resistant against salt spray and salt water. It is easy to form, heat treatable, and non-magnetic.
6063 Aluminum is more corrosion resistant and formable than 6061 Aluminum. It is not ideal for high strength applications, but can be used for exterior railings and decorative trim. It is heat treatable and non-magnetic.
Also known as jig plate or cast tool, MIC6 is a cast aluminum alloy that is great for tight tolerance applications due to it being stress-relieved. It is most commonly used in precision machine tables and tooling. MIC6 is non-magnetic and not heat treatable.
Material Finish
Untreated aluminum generally has a dull silver/grey finish which varies depending on the roughness of the surface.
Many consumer products made with aluminum are anodized, most notably the MacBook Pro. Anodization allows the introduction of a variety of color options and adds a consistent shine across the entire part.
Aluminum can also be media-blasted, sanded, and hand-polished to achieve a multitude of surface finishes. Alodine is often used as an alternative protective coating to anodize on aluminum parts, and can be clear or gold in color.
Comparing Aluminum Alloys Used in Aluminum Machining
CNC machining is a versatile manufacturing process that is compatible with a wide range of materials. However, in product manufacturing, the process is more common with the use of aluminum, i.e., aluminum machining. Aluminum machining is a process that involves the use of aluminum in product manufacturing due to its availability in numerous grades. Aluminum is highly machinable and relatively affordable, and the different types of aluminum alloys are applicable in a myriad of machining applications. This includes rigid architectural components, aerospace parts manufacturing, etc.