Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Types of aluminum

  1. #1
    Gold Member spalm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    578
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Types of aluminum

    Would you please help a newbie to metals understand aluminum type codes?

    I am considering taking the plunge into aluminum for building my next machine. I am looking here.

    What is the difference with 2024, 5052, 5083, 5086, 6061 etc? Is half inch a good start for something like a gantry or Z-axis structure? Tap it for 1/4” bolts?

    Steve


  2. #2
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    2
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Spalm,

    I have refered to The Machinist's Handbook 25th Edition in the past when running into material questions. Here is a simple explanation of Aluminum alloy codes from the books. http://www.jjjtrain.com/vms/engineer...al_stds.html#6 I'm sure an Engineer can better answer your questions, but I hope this helps. I machine aluminum everyday, and have found 6061 to be one of the easier alloys to machine, as well as reasonably priced. 2024 is pretty expensive and other alloys can be "gummy" or brittle to machine and tap. Be sure to use a tapping fluid specifically for aluminum, or kerosene works too, but may be a bit dangerous. Hope this may be of some help.
    Dan


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    NC/USA
    Posts
    10
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I have found that you can get Alum in the 6000 range fairly cheap, at your local salvage yard.

    They tend to cul these harder Alum, due to the fact that it is harder to recycle.

    I have been paying $1.00 per pound, at lot cheaper than paying by the foot!

    KinneyCan


  4. #4
    Gold Member widgitmaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,357
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Hello Steve!

    My favorite is 2024 because you can get it pre ground flat, its called MIC-6 or Jig-Plate. Because its nice and flat, everything builds up nice and square! Its easy to tap, and I prefer course threads like 1/4-20 and 10-24. A little WD-40 helps with the tapping too!

    My 1st machine has 24x18 table, the bulk of the machine was built using 1/2" MIC-6. The X-axis slide block was hogged out of a piece of 6061 18x9x2" Due to the high cost of Linear Slides, I choose to use 1" diameter Thompson rails. They still flex a little, but it is much stronger than I expected!

    As for the other alloys, the nicest to machine is 7075!

    I sure wish there was a scrap yard in my area, I had to pay full price from Speedy Metals and eBay!

    Eric


  • #5
    Gold Member mxtras's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,810
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Google aluminum alloys - tons of info.

    7075 can not be welded....well - not very easily, anyway - in fact it is an absolute pita to weld. Just a consideration....

    6061 and 6063 are likely the most popular alloys for structural application and extrusion and is readily machined and welded.

    Scott
    Consistency is a good thing....unless you're consistently an idiot.


  • #6
    MBG
    MBG is offline
    Registered
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    uSA
    Posts
    753
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Get the t6 5-11 6061 it is the best to machine and like everybody sells it... haah it's all I cut..


  • #7
    Registered l u k e's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    793
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Here is a nice little write up from McMaster-Carr>>>



  • #8
    Gold Member spalm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    578
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Thanks guys. Looks like jig plate will work nice for my Z. The half inch already comes in 7.5" strips and machinability is rated excellent. (But I'm sure the others would work fine also.)

    L u k e,
    Nice link. That's a good reference that I will hang on to.

    Steve

    P.S. looks like OnlineMetalSupply.com has become an eBay store since I first posted.


  • #9
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    2
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Just to clear things up, I was a bit confused to widgetmaster's response in stating that 2024 and MIC-6 are the same material. is this true or not? I thought MIC-6 is a material that is easily workable, and cheap, while 2024 is a very expensive and unfriendly material to work with. Just wondering.
    Dan


  • Visitors found this page by searching for:

    Nobody landed on this page from a search engine, yet!
    SEO Blog

    Posting Permissions


     


    About CNCzone.com

      We are the largest and most active discussion forum from DIY CNC Machines to the Cad/Cam software to run them. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

    Follow us on

    Facebook Dribbble RSS Feed


    Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.