Perforated Aluminium Sheet - R6/T8.5 (6.0mm Holes / 8.5mm Pitch)

Aluminium perforated sheet with R6/T8.5 hole pattern - 6.0mm round holes at 8.5mm pitch (staggered 60° triangular pattern), 45% open area. Lightweight, naturally corrosion-resistant aluminium - the standard choice for trailers, vehicle work, marine applications, architectural cladding and any project where weight or natural finish matters. Supplied in standard 2 x 1m sheets at 1.5mm thickness.

R6/T8.5 Pattern Specification

Hole diameter: 6.0mm round, staggered pattern.
Pitch: 8.5mm centre-to-centre spacing.
Open area: 45%.
Material: Aluminium sheet (mill finish).
Sheet size: 2 x 1m.
Thickness: 1.5mm.

Available Sizes & Pricing

All prices include VAT.

Why Aluminium Perforated Sheet?

Aluminium gives you three key advantages over steel for perforated work: lightweight (around 1/3 the weight of steel - much easier to handle and install on large panels), naturally corrosion-resistant (no zinc coating, paint or galvanising needed - aluminium oxide forms naturally on the surface and protects against further corrosion), and easy to machine (cuts cleanly with standard tools, bends and forms readily). The natural mill finish suits architectural and decorative applications without further coating. The trade-offs are lower strength than mild steel and higher cost per sheet - so aluminium is the right choice when weight, corrosion resistance or finish matters more than maximum strength.

Applications

This R6/T8.5 pattern is suited to: trailer floors and side panels, vehicle bodywork and grilles, exterior architectural cladding, decorative facades and screens, marine and boat-deck panels, balcony infill panels, ventilation grilles in damp environments, signage backing, radiator and speaker covers, machine guards where weight or corrosion matters. The 6.0mm hole size provides strong visual through-flow with good ventilation.

Bulk & Trade Orders

For bulk and trade orders (5+ sheets or multi-pattern orders), contact us for a project quote - trade pricing is available for larger quantities. Sheets are supplied in the standard sizes shown above.

Delivery Information

Lead times are currently 3-5 working days for aluminium perforated sheets. Sheets are bulky items - delivered on a pallet to mainland UK addresses. Aluminium is lighter than steel so offloading is easier, but suitable site access is still required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does R6/T8.5 mean on an aluminium perforated sheet?
R6/T8.5 is the industry-standard pattern code: 'R' is the hole diameter and 'T' is the pitch (centre-to-centre spacing). So R6/T8.5 means 6.0mm round holes spaced at 8.5mm pitch on a staggered (60-degree triangular) pattern. The open area is 45% - meaning 45% of the sheet is open hole and the rest is solid material.

Why choose aluminium over steel perforated sheet?
Aluminium has three big advantages: (1) Lightweight - around 1/3 the weight of steel for the same sheet size, making it easier to handle, transport and install. (2) Naturally corrosion-resistant - no zinc coating or paint needed for outdoor use. (3) Easy to cut and machine. Aluminium is the standard choice for trailer panels, vehicle bodywork, marine applications, architectural cladding, decorative facades, and any application where weight matters or steel would corrode. The trade-off is lower strength than mild steel and higher cost per sheet.

What is aluminium perforated sheet used for?
Common applications include trailer floors and side panels, vehicle bodywork and grilles, machine guards in damp or chemical environments, marine and boat-deck panels, architectural cladding and facades, sign-board backings, decorative interior panels, exterior screens and balcony infills, speaker grilles, radiator covers, and any project where lightweight or corrosion resistance matters more than maximum strength. The natural finish suits architectural and decorative applications without further coating.

What's the open area of this pattern?
This R6/T8.5 pattern has approximately 45% open area - meaning 45% of the total sheet surface is open hole, and the remaining material gives the sheet its strength. Higher open area gives better air-flow, lighter weight and more transparency; lower open area gives more strength and rigidity. R6/T8.5 is suited to ventilation, screening and decorative applications where the 45% balance works well.

What's the delivery lead time?
Lead times are currently 3-5 working days for aluminium perforated sheets. Sheets are bulky items - delivered on a pallet to mainland UK addresses. Aluminium is lighter than steel so offloading is easier, but suitable site access is still required.