Close-up of two aluminum 6061 plates side by side, one labeled T6 and the other T651, with visible clean machined surfaces and slight differences in finish, resting on a metal workbench in a well-lit fabrication shop.

Aluminum 6061 T6 vs T651: Key Differences for Welding and Machining

When you’re working with aluminum, 6061 often ends up being the go-to choice. It’s strong, versatile, easy to weld, and machines well. But once you start ordering material, you’ll likely see two common options: 6061 T6 and 6061 T651. At first glance, they seem almost identical. However, there are important differences that can affect your…