cost per kg of 6061 aluminum plate

“How much is the cost per kg of 6061 aluminum plate?” — this is probably the question aluminum buyers ask most often, and also the one that’s hardest to answer with a single “standard” number. If you’re looking for a single figure, you may be disappointed; but if you want to understand what drives price and make the smartest purchasing decision, this article is your ultimate guide. As a consultant for Mingtai Aluminum, we’ll walk you through the main factors that determine the unit price of 6061 plate.

In short, the price per kilogram of 6061 plate isn’t fixed. It behaves like a formula made up of several variables: raw material, product specifications, order quantity and market conditions. Blindly comparing quotes won’t help — evaluating your actual needs is the key.

Core factors: raw material costs and market swings

Aluminum ingots are the basic raw material for plate production, and their price is tied to the London Metal Exchange (LME) futures price, a global benchmark that changes daily. All mill costs base themselves on this, so today’s quote can be different from next week’s because of ingot price fluctuations. This is the broad market factor that no supplier can control.

Determining factors: product specs and processing requirements

These explain why “price per kilogram” can vary so much even for the same 6061 alloy.

– Thickness and dimensions:

– Thickness: Thinner plates (under ~1 mm) require higher rolling precision and tighter process control, with lower yield; their processing cost per kilogram can be higher. Extra-thick plates demand heavy equipment and high energy. Medium-thickness plates generally offer the best cost-performance balance.

– Size (length/width): Ordering non-standard sizes (unusual widths or custom lengths) creates more edge waste, and that waste is absorbed into the unit price. Choosing sizes close to the mill’s standard stock helps reduce cost.

– Temper (heat-treatment state):

6061-T6 is commonly used because solution heat treatment and artificial aging give higher strength. That extra heat-treatment step adds energy and time cost, so T6 plates are pricier per kilogram than soft-annealed (O) plates.

– Surface quality and tolerance requirements:

If you require scratch-free surfaces, uniform matte finishes, specific textures, or very tight thickness/flatness tolerances (for example ±0.05 mm), the mill must apply finer process control and stricter inspection — and the unit price will reflect that.

Commercial factors: purchasing strategy and logistics

– Order quantity:

Scale matters. Ton-scale bulk orders allow continuous production, maximizing efficiency and lowering average processing and fixed-cost shares per kilogram. Small sample or cut orders incur extra setup, cutting and tooling costs, so the price per kilogram is higher.

– Logistics and location:

Transportation from the mill to your site and current freight rates are important parts of landed cost. Choosing a supplier with better logistics and geographic advantage can reduce your overall cost.

How to get the most accurate quote — prepare a “request list”

Once you know the factors, don’t just ask “how much per kilo.” To get a fair, comparable and competitive quote, prepare a clear request list:

1) Alloy: 6061

2) Exact dimensions: thickness (mm), width (mm), length (mm)

3) Temper: e.g., T6

4) Surface finish: state “matt finish acceptable” if no special requirement

5) Quantity: estimated weight (kg) or number of sheets

6) Delivery address: your company location for freight calculation

Why choose Mingtai Aluminum?

When you understand cost drivers, the next step is picking a reliable, cost-effective partner. Mingtai Aluminum has over 20 years in aluminum processing and offers unmatched advantages for competitive 6061 plate pricing:

– Scale advantage and controllable costs: As a leading domestic producer, we operate integrated casting, hot rolling and cold rolling lines. Scale brings strong raw-material bargaining power and optimized unit production costs — benefits passed to customers as better quotes.

– Stable quality to reduce hidden costs: We implement ISO9001 quality management to ensure consistent composition, mechanical properties and dimensional tolerances. Stable material reduces scrap, rework and schedule delays, lowering total ownership cost.

– One-stop service to save you time: From standard stock to custom cutting, various tempers and surface treatments, we provide full-service solutions so you don’t waste time coordinating multiple vendors.

– Technical support to optimize material selection: Our engineers can advise on the most economical spec and temper for your application (automotive parts, mold making, machinery, etc.), helping you avoid over-specification or under-performance.

Ready to get your tailored quote?

If you’ve prepared the request list, contact Mingtai Aluminum’s sales team and we will provide a clear, transparent and competitive quote within 24 hours. For the most accurate assessment of the cost per kg of 6061 aluminum plate for your specific needs, provide the details above and we’ll respond quickly.

Visit Mingtai Aluminum’s website to check technical specs and stock information and start a more efficient procurement process.