MIC-6 (Alumec 89) is an aluminum-silicon based, continuously cast aluminum alloy mold plate. Produced via a continuous casting process followed by thorough homogenization and stress-relief treatment, it features a fine-grained structure, consistent material properties throughout its thickness, and exceptionally low internal stress. The plates are pre-milled at the factory to achieve high flatness, effectively solving the common issue of warping and deformation that occurs when machining standard rolled aluminum plates. It is the preferred, industry-standard tooling material for molds and inspection gauges in North America, the Middle East, South Africa, and Southeast Asia.

As the world's most widely shipped continuously cast, low-stress aluminum tooling plate, MIC-6 / Alumec 89 is specifically engineered for precision CNC machining, molds, and inspection gauges—distinct from conventional rolled aluminum plates.

Chemical composition

Typical Applications

Plastic Molds: Injection mold A/B plates, blow molds, foam molds, RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) molds, and rapid prototyping molds for small-batch production.

Inspection & Tooling: CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) fixtures, reference base plates, welding jigs, and drilling/positioning fixtures.

Vacuum Clamping: Vacuum chuck platforms and vacuum worktables (offering excellent dimensional stability—resisting warping after machining—and superior sealing reliability).

Equipment Surfaces: Engraving machine beds, printing fixtures, thermal-control runner plates, and base plates for automated equipment.

Not Recommended For: High-pressure/heavy-load mold cavities, high-wear environments, or structural components subject to high stress (for these, 7075 or the Alumold series are preferred).

Key Material Advantages

1. Ultra-low internal stress for superior machining stability: Produced via continuous casting followed by stress-relief processing, the material remains virtually deformation-free even after heavy-duty roughing or deep milling. This eliminates the need for secondary flattening and significantly reduces the risk of scrap.

2. High as-supplied flatness: Delivered with pre-milled surfaces, offering flatness far superior to rolled 6061 aluminum plates—ready for immediate use as reference tooling or vacuum platforms.

3. Excellent machinability: Enables high-speed machining with efficient chip evacuation and low tool wear, effectively reducing CNC processing time.

4. Superior thermal conductivity: With a thermal conductivity of approximately 167 W/m·K, it ensures uniform heat dissipation in molds, shortening cooling cycles for injection/blow molding and boosting production efficiency.

5. High material consistency: Free from the rolling-induced grain flow (anisotropy) found in rolled plates, ensuring uniform properties throughout the entire thickness of the plate.

6. Lightweight: With a density of 2.7 g/cm³—roughly one-third that of steel—it simplifies mold handling and assembly, making it ideal for high-speed molding applications.

7. Globally recognized standard: Known as "MIC-6" in North America and "Alumec 89" in Europe, this material is highly trusted by international buyers, ensuring strong alignment with global procurement requirements.