We recently worked with a customer to machine a custom curing plate made from MIC 6® aluminum. MIC 6 is made from a continuous cast process. The material is very stable and holds up well in temperature changes that may occur in component heating processes. For reference, 6061 aluminum is flat-rolled or extruded.
Once we learned of the application of this plate, we also recommended using threaded inserts instead of drilled and tapped holes. This was because the plate was going to be attached and removed from a fixture frequently. This design change will give the plate a longer useful life.
MIC 6 aluminum is an excellent material choice for jigs, tooling, holding trays, and curing plates.
Note: MIC 6 is a registered trademark of Alcoa.
