In vast ocean environments, the corrosiveness of saltwater and other marine elements poses a serious threat to vessels and offshore structures. This challenge demands materials with enhanced resistance to harsh conditions. Marine aluminum alloys, developed through alloying techniques, provide exceptional corrosion resistance and have become the ideal solution for ships, submarines, and offshore drilling platforms.

Material selection for marine aluminum is highly stringent. Commonly used alloys include 5083, 5086, 5454, 5754, and 6061 aluminum plates.

MC Aluminum's 6061-T6 series aluminum plates have been certified by the China Classification Society (CCS) and Lloyd’s Register (LR), verifying their structural reliability in marine environments.

Overview of 6061-T6 Aluminum

6061 aluminum alloy is a high-quality product produced through a heat treatment and pre-stretching process. While its strength is not as high as 2XXX or 7XXX series, it offers a well-balanced composition of magnesium and silicon, resulting in excellent machinability, weldability, corrosion resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability after processing. It is also known for being dense, defect-free, easy to polish, color, and anodize.

“T6” refers to the temper or hardness of the material. The T6 condition is achieved by solution heat treatment followed by artificial aging, significantly improving strength and hardness.

Common Tempers of 6061 Aluminum Plate

• T6: Heat-treated and artificially aged; high strength and hardness; suitable for structural components requiring high strength.

• T651: Based on T6, pre-stretched to relieve internal stresses and improve dimensional stability; ideal for components with precision requirements.

• F: As-fabricated; suitable for parts needing further cold working or heat treatment.

• O: Annealed; soft and ductile; suitable for cold forming or deep drawing processes.

6061 Marine Aluminum Product Information

Advantages of 6061-T6 Marine Aluminum Plate

1. High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
6061-T6 aluminum offers excellent strength while maintaining low weight—ideal for applications where reducing weight without compromising strength is critical.

2. Corrosion Resistance
Although it is not as corrosion-resistant as 5083 or other 5xxx marine-grade alloys, 6061-T6 can be effectively used in non-submerged components with proper anodizing or marine-grade coating.

3. Excellent Machinability
The T6 temper offers superior machinability, allowing for the creation of complex shapes and precision designs.

4. Weldability
6061-T6 marine aluminum can be welded using 5356 filler wire and various welding methods (TIG, MIG, arc welding), making it suitable for large structure fabrication.

5. Heat Treatable
The “T6” condition means the alloy has undergone solution heat treatment and artificial aging, enhancing mechanical properties.

6. Low-Temperature Performance
Excellent resistance to low-temperature embrittlement, suitable for cold-storage or low-temp marine equipment.

7. High Cost-Performance Ratio
Compared to higher-cost marine plates like 5083-H116, 6061-T6 offers a balanced performance-price ratio, making it ideal for mass production of structural parts or non-critical replacements.

8. Recyclable and Eco-Friendly
Aluminum’s recyclability makes it the right choice for projects aiming to reduce environmental impact.

Applications of 6061 Aluminum Plate in Shipbuilding

Structural Components:
Used in hull structures, decks, and bulkheads to reduce vessel weight, improve performance, and enhance fuel efficiency.

Auxiliary Equipment:
Ideal for railings, handrails, ladders, and other equipment requiring both durability and visual appeal.

Marine Accessories:
Suitable for pipe systems, valves, connectors, and other accessories needing corrosion resistance and strength.

As a leading aluminum plate manufacturer, MC Aluminum produces 6061 marine-grade plates known for their corrosion resistance, toughness, stable processing performance, excellent anodizing effects, and colorability. In addition to 6061, we also manufacture 5083, 5086, 5454, and 5754 marine plates, offering complete product specifications and stable quality.