Aluminium Parts Australia
Custom aluminium machined parts in all standard alloys — 6061-T6, 7075-T6, 5052, 2024, and more. CNC milling, turning, sheet metal fabrication. Managed supply from drawing to delivery. Quote in 2 business days.
Aluminium Alloy Selection Guide
Choosing the right aluminium alloy affects part cost, strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Here is how the most common Australian engineering alloys compare.
| Alloy | Tensile Strength | Machinability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | 310 MPa | Excellent | General engineering, prototypes, most applications |
| 7075-T6 | 572 MPa | Good | Aerospace, high-stress structures, defence |
| 5052-H32 | 228 MPa | Good | Marine, saltwater, sheet metal forming |
| 2024-T4 | 469 MPa | Good | Aerospace fatigue-critical, riveted structures |
| 6082-T6 | 310 MPa | Excellent | Structural, extrusions, Australian standard |
| 6063-T5 | 185 MPa | Excellent | Architectural, extrusion profiles, light structural |
Manufacturing Processes for Aluminium Parts
CNC Milling
The most common process for aluminium parts. Housings, brackets, plates, manifolds, and complex 5-axis components. Aluminium machines 3–5× faster than steel, keeping cycle times and cost low.
- ✓ 3-axis through 5-axis
- ✓ Tolerances to ±0.005mm
- ✓ Complex geometry single setup
- ✓ Fast cycle times
CNC Turning
Shafts, bushings, fittings, threaded components. Aluminium turns cleanly with excellent surface finish. Swiss turning for high-precision small-diameter parts.
- ✓ Diameters 1mm to 600mm
- ✓ Swiss turning available
- ✓ Excellent surface finish
- ✓ Threading, grooving, knurling
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Aluminium enclosures, panels, brackets, and structural weldments. Laser cutting, press brake forming, and TIG welding. 5052 and 6061 are the most common sheet aluminium grades.
- ✓ Thickness 0.5mm to 12mm
- ✓ Laser cut, bend, weld
- ✓ TIG welding 5052 and 6061
- ✓ Powder coat or anodise finish
Aluminium Surface Finishes
Surface finish is managed as part of our supply service — machining and finishing quoted and supplied together.
Type II Anodising
Clear, black, or coloured anodise. 5–25µm oxide layer. Excellent corrosion resistance, good wear resistance. Standard for most aluminium parts.
Type III Hard Anodising
25–50µm hardcoat. Excellent wear and abrasion resistance. Used for sliding surfaces, hydraulic components, and high-wear applications.
Powder Coating
Full colour range. Tough, UV-resistant coating. Used for enclosures, panels, and exterior components. Applied over bead blast for best adhesion.
Chemical Film (Alodine)
Thin protective conversion coating. Electrically conductive — used for aerospace and electronic enclosures where conductivity is required.
Bead Blasting
Uniform matte finish. Removes machining marks. Applied before anodising or as a standalone finish for cosmetic parts.
As-Machined
Standard machined finish Ra 1.6µm. No additional treatment. Cost-effective for structural or non-cosmetic parts.
Aluminium Parts FAQ
What aluminium grades are available for machined parts in Australia?
We supply aluminium parts in all standard engineering alloys: 6061-T6 (most common, excellent machinability, good strength), 7075-T6 (highest strength, aerospace grade), 5052 (marine grade, excellent corrosion resistance), 2024-T4 (aerospace structural, high fatigue strength), 6082-T6 (structural, common in Australian engineering), and 6063 (architectural and extrusion profiles). Material certifications are available for all alloys.
Which aluminium grade should I choose for my part?
6061-T6 is the right choice for most applications — it offers excellent machinability, good corrosion resistance, strong anodising response, and competitive pricing. Choose 7075-T6 for maximum strength where weight is critical (aerospace, high-performance structures) — it is 40% stronger than 6061 but harder to machine. Choose 5052 for marine or saltwater environments — superior corrosion resistance. Choose 2024 for fatigue-critical aerospace applications. When in doubt, specify 6061-T6 and note the application — we will advise if a different grade is more appropriate.
What processes are used to manufacture aluminium parts?
Aluminium parts are most commonly manufactured by CNC milling (for housings, brackets, plates, and complex geometry), CNC turning (for shafts, bushings, and round components), and sheet metal fabrication (for enclosures, panels, and structural weldments). 5-axis CNC milling is used for complex aerospace and defence aluminium components. Swiss turning produces high-volume small-diameter aluminium parts. Die casting produces high-volume near-net-shape aluminium components at low per-unit cost.
What surface finishes are available for aluminium parts?
Common aluminium surface finishes include: anodising (Type II — clear, black, and colour; Type III — hardcoat for wear resistance), powder coating (full colour range, excellent corrosion protection), chemical film / alodine (Alodine 1200S — thin protective coating, electrically conductive), bead blasting (uniform matte finish before anodising), and polishing (decorative or mirror finish). Standard machined aluminium is supplied with a machined-as finish (Ra 1.6µm typical) unless otherwise specified.
What tolerances can be held on aluminium machined parts?
Aluminium is one of the easiest materials to machine to tight tolerances due to its low cutting forces and good thermal stability. Standard CNC machining achieves ±0.05mm on general features. High-precision aluminium machining achieves ±0.01mm. Ultra-precision work with CMM verification can achieve ±0.005mm or better on specific features. Aluminium typically holds tighter tolerances than steel during machining due to lower heat generation.
How much do custom aluminium parts cost in Australia?
Aluminium is the lowest-cost machining material per part. Indicative pricing: simple bracket or plate, 1 off — $200–$500 AUD ex GST. Medium complexity housing, 1 off — $500–$1,500. Complex 5-axis component, 1 off — $1,500–$5,000. Production runs of 50–100 parts typically reduce per-unit cost by 40–70% compared to single-off pricing. The main cost drivers are machining time (complexity), number of setups, tolerance requirements, and surface finish.
Can you supply aluminium parts with anodising included?
Yes. We manage post-machining surface treatment as part of our supply service. Anodising, powder coating, chemical film, and other finishes are arranged through our finishing supplier network. You receive a single quote that covers machining and finishing — no need to source anodising separately. Specify your finish requirement on your drawing or in your quote request.
Is aluminium suitable for structural and load-bearing parts?
Yes, depending on the alloy and application. 6061-T6 has a tensile strength of 310 MPa and yield strength of 276 MPa — suitable for most structural engineering applications. 7075-T6 reaches 572 MPa tensile strength — approaching mild steel strength at one-third the weight. For high-stress or fatigue-critical applications, specify alloy and temper explicitly and consult our engineering team about appropriate safety factors.
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