Aluminum is manufactured on a massive scale for a wide range of industrial, commercial, and residential applications. It is a highly versatile metal that is perfect for the seemingly endless number of purposes. Its diversity and adaptability also mean that it can be a challenge to choose the right aluminum alloy for your particular application. Manufacturers, product developers, and other business entities must plan and evaluate their goals properly in order to select the best alloy option for a particular product, project, system, or application. Two commonly chosen aluminum alloys for various applications are 2024 aluminum and 6061 aluminum. In this blog, we discuss each type of aluminum alloy and compare the differences and similarities between the two.
At Howard Precision Metals, we have aligned ourselves with only the best aluminum mills to ensure we provide you with only premium aluminum alloy products. By sourcing from only top-tier mills, we can achieve precision saw tolerances, as tight as ±.005”, and offer finishes as close as 32 RMS.
Similar Alloys
Both 2024 and 6061 alloys include similar characteristics, like as high-strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance, which has made them so popular over the past century. However similar, each one has its own unique set of properties as a result of the primary alloying elements. When comparing 6061 to 2024 aluminum, it is important to carefully consider each alloy’s chemical and physical properties to ensure you choose the best material for your application.
Unique Composition of 2024 Aluminum & 6061 Aluminum Plate
The 2024 and 6061 aluminum plate alloys are popular options in various industries. However, 2024 is commonly chosen in aerospace applications while 6061 is chosen as the day-to-day general-purpose metal. Understanding the composition of these alloys will explain why each of their applications are so distinct.
Like other alloys in the 2000 series, 2024 is alloyed primarily with copper, which makes it extremely resistant to metal fatigue. In other words, under repetitive stresses, the metal maintains its strength and performance. In addition to copper, other elements such as magnesium, manganese, and small amounts of iron, chromium, silicon, titanium, and/or zinc are also used in the production of this alloy.
Alloy 6061 is primarily alloyed by the addition of silicon and magnesium. Other metallic elements of this alloy include in ascending order of quantity, titanium, manganese, zinc, chromium, copper, and iron. Alloy 6061 has set the industry standard for an economical, lightweight, medium-to-high strength material. The addition of chromium in 6061 gives this alloy a high resistance to corrosion when compared to other alloys.
Comparative Characteristics of 2024 & 6061 Aluminum Plates
At Howard Precision Metals, our aluminum inventory includes 2024-T351, which is a plate product. Alloy and temper designation 2024-T351 is rated with a B rating in machineability, arc weldability, and resistance to spots and seams. It receives a score of C in gas welding, cold workability, and stress-corrosion (cracking). The general resistance corrosion on 2024 is a D rating. In addition to being used in structural aircraft parts, this material is often used in truck wheels and screw machine products.
The 6061 aluminum plate, or 6061-T651, scores an A in both stress-corrosion (cracking) and resistance to spots and seams. A cold workability score of C is listed for this alloy and temper. However, it scores a B in general resistance to corrosion, machineability, brazeability, and both gas and arc weldability. With such solid ratings, it is no wonder why 6061 is considered the general-purpose alloy for many machinists. Is it commonly used in heavy duty structures requiring good corrosion resistance, truck and marine applications, railroad cars, furniture, and pipelines.
Applications That Feature 6061 or 2024 Aluminum
Each of these alloys is a popular choice for an extensive array of products and industrial applications. 2024 aluminum-T351 aluminum plate is readily available at Howard Precision Metals. The aircraft industry utilizes this alloy frequently due to its high fatigue resistance and strength. Common applications include fuselages and wings, which commonly undergo tension stresses. Another application for 2024 aluminum is in the construction of large hydraulic manifolds. Due to the intense stresses and pressures placed on the metal used in hydraulics, the fatigue resistance is of this alloy makes it a viable candidate.
Due to 6061 aluminum’s versatility, it is utilized in multiple industries. The construction industry commonly uses 6061 as trim for doors and windows and in architectural design elements. The automotive industry looks to improve fuel efficiency by replacing steel parts with parts made from aluminum. Some additional products made using 6061 aluminum alloy are bicycles, boats, motorcycles, firearms, fly fishing reels, electrical fittings, docks, gangways, and camera lenses. 6061 is also used in many types of non-flight critical aircraft parts, such as seat tracks and handles. Howard Precision Metals stocks an inclusive inventory of 6061 aluminum plate, sheet, and extruded aluminum bar stock to meet your everyday needs.
Selecting the Aluminum Alloy for Your Application
When deciding what alloy to select for an application, whether 6061 aluminum plate, 2024 aluminum plate, or any other material, manufacturers should run down a checklist of considerations. The type of the application and the required performance of the material are important to consider. Some key factors to review include: the degree of formability required, importance of machining, importance of weight-to-strength ratio, exposure to elements, welding in the production process, and heat treatment requirements. With the above comparisons between 6061 and 2024 aluminum, you should have a sharper idea of what alloy is best for your end-use. If you need some guidance in your aluminum alloy selection, we can help.
For more than 90 years, we have provided industrial customers with a wide range of metal solutions. We can help you with your industrial applications, whether you need 2024 aluminum plate, 6061 aluminum plate, or another aluminum alloy for your project or application. To learn more about how we can serve your aluminum alloy requirements, call us today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote right on our website.
