Aluminum Tread Plate: 6061 vs. 3003

Aluminum Tread Plate, also known as Diamond Plate, provides traction, slip resistance, and protection in high traffic areas. Online Metals stocks inventory in two varieties: Aluminum 6061 and Aluminum 3003.

In comparison, Aluminum Tread Plate is much lighter than Steel Tread Plate and Stainless Steel Tread Plate.

Both Aluminum 6061 and 3003 provide excellent corrosion resistance, workability, weldability, and are easy to clean. So what’s the difference between 6061 and 3003 Tread Plate?

6061-T6 Tread Plate

6061 is heat treatable, provides very good corrosion resistance, and is almost as strong as mild steel. Because of this, it is a popular general-purpose alloy. This material has a T6 temper. This means it's been solution heat-treated and artificially aged to a stable condition. Because of this, it has higher strength and hardness than base 6061.

It has a high strength to weight ratio, making 6061-T6 an excellent alternative to Steel or Stainless Steel. 6061 is the most frequently used structural alloy and the most versatile of the heat-treatable aluminum alloys. Also, it has excellent machinability.

Our 6061 Tread Plate comes with a mill finish and takes finish well.

Because of its durability and light weight, this material is often used in vehicles. Truck ramps and step rails frequently use 6061-T6.

If you want more technical information about 6061, check out our 6061 Product Guide!

3003-H22 Tread Plate

Aluminum 3003, however, is not heat-treatable, but it welds very well and has excellent workability. Also, it may be deep drawn, spun, welded, or brazed. Although 3003 is about 20% stronger than pure aluminum, it is noticeably weaker than 6061. Additionally, 3003 is somewhat soft, making it more difficult to machine and vulnerable to scratches.

This material has an H22 temper meaning it has been strain-hardened and partially annealed. This has brought the metal up to about ¼ hard. These plates have a Brite Finish, giving them a brilliant shine. Additionally, they are highly reflective and easy to clean. Because of the finish, 3003-H22 Tread Plate is more commonly used in decorative and cosmetic applications. You will often notice them inside food trucks, as an example.

If you want more technical information about 3003, check out our 3003 Product Guide!

Pros and Cons of Our Tread Plate Offerings

If you’ve decided that Steel might serve your project better go ahead and check out our Steel Tread Plates!