Aluminum plate starts at a quarter inch and runs to several inches thick. Machine shops buy it as saw-cut blanks for fixtures and parts. Fabricators use it for boat hulls, trailer tongues, base plates and gussets. We source 6061, 5052, 5083 and 7075 plate, arrange precision saw or waterjet cuts, and deliver across Texas.
What aluminum plate is used for, and how to pick it
Start with what happens to the part next. If it goes on a mill, 6061-T651 is the workhorse. It machines cleanly, welds and anodizes, and the stretch stress relief (the 51 in T651) keeps it from moving much when you hog out a pocket. If the part needs maximum strength and won't be welded, 7075-T651 is the answer for molds, fixtures and high-load parts.
If it gets welded and lives in water, go to the 5000 series. 5052-H32 plate bends and welds well. 5083-H116 and 5086-H116 are the usual marine hull and deck alloys, stronger than 5052 as welded and rated for salt water. 6061 shows up on boats too, but it gives up strength at every weld.
For flatness-critical work like fixture plates and machine bases, cast tooling plate is worth a look. It is stress free, comes machined flat on both faces, and can save you a facing operation. See tooling and mold plate.
Aluminum plate grades
| Grade/temper | Why pick it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 6061-T651 | Machines well, welds, anodizes clean. Stress relieved, so it stays flatter as you remove material. | Not the strongest option. Weld zones lose much of the T6 strength. |
| 7075-T651 | Strength in the range of many steels at about a third of the weight. Machines to a fine finish. | Not weldable. Less corrosion resistant than 6061, so protect it in wet service. |
| 5052-H32 | Welds and forms well, good in salt air. Tanks, marine brackets and formed plate. | Gummy to machine compared with 6061, with stringy chips. |
| 5083-H116 / 5086-H116 | Marine hull and deck plate. Keeps good strength as welded and resists salt-water corrosion. | Not a machining alloy. Not for parts that run hot for long periods, which can make high-magnesium alloys prone to corrosion. |
| Cast tooling plate | Very flat and stress free, machined on both faces. Fixture plates, bases and jigs. | Lower strength than 6061-T651. Not meant for welding or cosmetic anodizing. |
Common aluminum plate sizes
| Thickness (in.) | Commonly available as | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| .250, .313, .375 | Full plates 48" x 96", 48" x 144", 60" x 120", 60" x 144", or cut blanks | Brackets, base plates, gussets, trailer and boat parts |
| .500, .625, .750 | Full plates or saw-cut blanks | Fixture plates, mounting plates, machined parts |
| 1.000 to 2.000 | Saw-cut blanks and full plates, mostly 6061 and 7075 | Molds, manifolds, heavy fixtures |
| 2.500 to 6.000 and up | Saw-cut blocks, mostly 6061-T651 and 7075-T651 | Mold bases, large machined blocks |
Sizes only. Metal prices move daily, so every order is quoted.
Cut-to-size options for aluminum plate
Plate is sawn, not sheared. A precision plate saw gives square blanks with a clean edge, close enough that most shops take only a light pass to finish. If your process needs a plus-only size for cleanup, say so and the blank gets cut with that allowance built in.
Waterjet cutting cuts profiles, rings and shaped blanks from thick plate with no heat-affected edge. It holds a few thousandths, with a slight taper on the thickest parts. Plasma is fast on thick aluminum but leaves a rough edge that needs machining. Cuts are arranged through our supply network, and we'll suggest the method that fits the part and the budget.
What to include in your quote request
- Alloy and temper, such as 6061-T651 or 5083-H116
- Thickness, plus width and length for each blank
- Quantity per size
- Cut method and tolerance, including any cleanup allowance
- Surface protection, such as PVC film on one side
- Mill certs or a spec like ASTM B209, if the job calls for them
- Ship-to ZIP code