Aluminum
Aluminum 6061 Speeds and Feeds
Soft and easy to cut. Carbide tooling can run at the high end of the range. Reduce chip load for very small cutters.
Milling Aluminum 6061
Power is a rough estimate using the material unit power factor. Verify against your spindle rating.
Spindle speed
- RPM
Feed rate
- IPM
Material removal rate
- in3/min
Approx. spindle power
- HP
Editorial estimate only
These are conservative starting points, not a guarantee. Verify against manufacturer tooling data and your machine manual. Confirm spindle power, workholding and coolant before cutting.
Drilling Aluminum 6061
Spindle speed
- RPM
Feed rate
- IPM
Editorial estimate only
These are conservative starting points, not a guarantee. Verify against manufacturer tooling data and your machine manual. Confirm spindle power, workholding and coolant before cutting.
Aluminum 6061 reference values
Editorial estimates for illustration. Start on the low end and adjust to your tooling and machine.
| Operation | Surface speed | Chip load / feed | Unit power (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milling | 300-600 SFM (91-183 m/min) | 0.002-0.004 in/tooth (0.051-0.102 mm/tooth) | 0.3 HP per in3/min |
| Drilling | 200-300 SFM (61-91 m/min) | 0.004-0.008 in/rev (0.102-0.203 mm/rev) |
Frequently asked questions
What surface speed should I use for Aluminum 6061?
A conservative milling range is 300-600 SFM (91-183 m/min). Coated carbide can run higher; HSS should stay on the low end.
What chip load should I use for Aluminum 6061?
A typical milling chip load is 0.002-0.004 in/tooth (0.051-0.102 mm/tooth). Use the low end for small or fragile cutters and increase only as your setup allows.
Are these values safe to cut with?
These are starting points, not a guarantee. Always verify against your tooling manufacturer data and machine manual, and confirm spindle power, workholding and coolant before cutting.