Aluminum alloy densities
Each alloy has its own density, and the calculator uses the one for the alloy you pick. The plate column shows what the density does to a 1/4 x 48 x 96 in plate.
| Alloy | Density | In lb/in³ | 1/4 x 48 x 96 in plate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6061 | 2.70 g/cm³ | 0.0975 | 112.4 lb | Kaiser Aluminum |
| 5052 | 2.68 g/cm³ | 0.0968 | 111.5 lb | Smiths Metal Centres |
| 3003 | 2.73 g/cm³ | 0.0986 | 113.6 lb | Kaiser Aluminum |
| 7075 | 2.80 g/cm³ | 0.1012 | 116.5 lb | Kaiser Aluminum |
For the same size, 7075 weighs 3.7 percent more than 6061, and 5052 weighs 0.7 percent less. Kaiser Aluminum gives one nominal density per alloy in each data sheet, whatever the temper. Kaiser rounds its imperial values to 0.098 lb per cubic inch for 6061, 0.099 for 3003 and 0.101 for 7075.
Worked examples
Plate, inches. A 1/4 in 6061 plate, 48 x 96 in, holds 1,152 cubic inches. At 0.0975 lb per cubic inch, it weighs 112.4 lb.
Plate, millimetres. A 6 mm 6061 plate, 1250 x 2500 mm, holds 0.01875 cubic metres. At 2,700 kg per cubic metre, it weighs 50.6 kg.
Round bar. A 2 in 6061 round bar weighs 3.677 lb per foot by the formula. Russel Metals lists 6061-T6 round at 3.69 lb per foot.
Angle. A 2 x 2 x 1/4 in 6061 angle weighs 1.097 lb per foot with the sharp corners the calculator assumes. Russel Metals lists 1.115 lb, 1.6 percent more.
With a price. At an example price of $3.00 per lb, the 1/4 in plate costs $337.11 in material. The prices in these examples are round numbers for illustration, not market prices. Enter what you pay, per pound or per kilogram, and the calculator adds the material cost.
Aluminum sheet and plate weight per square foot
These values use 6061 at 2.70 g/cm³. Russel Metals lists 0.901 lb per square foot for 0.064 in sheet and 3.521 lb for 1/4 in plate. The calculator gives 0.899 lb and 3.512 lb, within 0.3 percent.
| Thickness | 6061, per square foot | 6061, per square metre |
|---|---|---|
| 0.040 in | 0.562 lb | 2.74 kg |
| 0.050 in | 0.702 lb | 3.43 kg |
| 0.063 in | 0.885 lb | 4.32 kg |
| 0.080 in | 1.124 lb | 5.49 kg |
| 0.090 in | 1.264 lb | 6.17 kg |
| 0.125 in | 1.756 lb | 8.57 kg |
| 3/16 in | 2.634 lb | 12.86 kg |
| 1/4 in | 3.512 lb | 17.15 kg |
| 3/8 in | 5.267 lb | 25.72 kg |
| 1/2 in | 7.023 lb | 34.29 kg |
| 3/4 in | 10.535 lb | 51.44 kg |
| 1 in | 14.046 lb | 68.58 kg |
| Thickness | 6061, per square metre | 6061, per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mm | 2.70 kg | 0.553 lb |
| 1.5 mm | 4.05 kg | 0.830 lb |
| 2 mm | 5.40 kg | 1.106 lb |
| 3 mm | 8.10 kg | 1.659 lb |
| 4 mm | 10.80 kg | 2.212 lb |
| 5 mm | 13.50 kg | 2.765 lb |
| 6 mm | 16.20 kg | 3.318 lb |
| 8 mm | 21.60 kg | 4.424 lb |
| 10 mm | 27.00 kg | 5.530 lb |
| 12 mm | 32.40 kg | 6.636 lb |
| 15 mm | 40.50 kg | 8.295 lb |
| 20 mm | 54.00 kg | 11.060 lb |
| 25 mm | 67.50 kg | 13.825 lb |
Aluminum and steel
At 2.70 g/cm³, 6061 weighs 34 percent as much as carbon steel at 7.85. A part that weighs 100 lb in steel weighs about 34 lb in 6061 at the same size. Use the metal weight calculator to compare aluminum with steel, stainless, brass or copper.
Pricing aluminum in a quote
Aluminum is bought by weight, so the alloy's density feeds straight into the material cost. A quote that weighs each part from its own alloy prices the material more closely than a flat rate per part. The guide to manufacturing quoting software explains how a quote gets its material price.
Questions
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