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How to Choose Between 6061 and 2024 Aluminum Alloys

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Structural engineers and designers have various material options from which to choose when evaluating aluminum alloys. These alloys offer numerous benefits and are created through the incorporation of alloying elements into the base aluminum metal. The focus here is on two alloys taken from the 2xxx and 6xxx series – 2024 aluminum and 6061 aluminum. As popular commercial metals, they both possess exceptional properties that make them ideal for many applications. Look no further than our supply at Howard Precision Metals to meet your 2024 and 6061 aluminum requirements. Our team has the experience to help you secure the aluminum alloy products you need for your industrial applications.

2024 Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum 2024 utilizes copper (Cu) as its primary alloying element. The chemical composition of 2024 aluminum reflects this: 0.6% Mn, 1.5% Mg, and 4.4% Cu. With the significant percentage of copper comprising 2024, the alloy’s corrosion resistance drops significantly, but its strength increases at the same time. To offset the corrosion resistance disadvantage, finished machined parts like manifold blocks are often hard coat anodized, and in sheet metal applications the surface if is often covered with a cladding, which is a corrosion resistance metal made from either pure aluminum or another aluminum alloy resistant to corrosion. Alclad products are available for application to 2024 aluminum alloys to take care of the corrosion resistance issue.

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum 6061 aluminum is one of the most popular alloys on the market for designers and possesses excellent characteristics for many applications. These features include high strength, and good machinability, weldability, and corrosion resistance. Coming from the 6xxx series of aluminum alloys, it uses silicon and magnesium as its primary alloying elements. Its chemical composition is as follows: 97.9 Al, 1.0% Mg, 0.6% Si, 0.28% Cu, and 0.2% Cr. It also has a density of 0.0975 lb/in3 (2.7 g/cm3). The process of heat treating is part of the production process to increase the strength of this alloy. After being heat-treated, 6061 aluminum, including 6061 aluminum plate is ideal for many applications, including structural machine components, electronics, manifolds, and more.

Comparing 2024 and 6061 Modulus of Elasticity

The modulus of elasticity of 2024 aluminum is greater than that of 6061 aluminum. The modulus of elasticity identifies the stiffness of the alloy or its degree of elasticity. Materials with a high modulus of elasticity can handle higher levels of stress when force creates a permanent change in shape. Materials with a low modulus of elasticity are less elastic more easily prone to brittle fracture. As a result, 2024 aluminum alloys are the better option for application that require high strength under load.

Comparing 2024 and 6061 Yield Strength

The yield strength of a material is the minimum level of stress that will cause its permanent deformation. It is the point at which the material yields to this condition. The yield strength of 2024 aluminum is greater than 6061 aluminum (324 MPa > 276 MPa). For this reason, 2024 is commonly used for aircraft aluminum applications. If strength is not the main concern, then 6061 may be considered, since it is also strong and possesses many beneficial properties.

Comparing 2024 and 6061 Fatigue Strength

The fatigue strength of a material indicates the endurance of the material against cyclical (repetitive loading). Aircraft performance and operating conditions (landing, takeoff, temperature fluctuations) often induces these types of stresses. Aluminum 2024 had a higher fatigue strength than 6061 (138 MPa > 96.5 Mpa — based on 500,000,000 loading cycles) and so is used in these applications.

Comparing 2024 and 6061 Machinability

Machinability measures the degree to which metals respond to tooling. Over recent years machine tools have made significant advancements and typically if you ask any machinist, they will say all wrought Aluminum alloys are pretty easy to machine. The most common wrought Aluminum alloys are 6061, 2024, and 7075. When ranking the machinability of these 3 alloys, 7075 is the best, followed closely by 2024, and then 6061. However. defining the term machinability has taken a new path in recent years as some machinist will tell you it is not just about how the metal chips, but how it holds tolerance when machining. All three alloys are heat treated to produce the strength properties they possess, and typically the higher the strength, the higher the stress. Hence 6061 might not chip as well as 2024 or 7075, but when working with thinner plates, you are less likely to experience dimensional instability with 6061 when milling the thickness of a plate. For projects that require machining operations, 6061 aluminum is still a great option if you don’t need the strength of 2024 or 7075.

Comparing 2024 and 6061 Hardness

The hardness of a metal measures the resilience of a material and specifically its resistance to local deformation and its surface quality. Alloys 6061 and 2024 have sufficient ductility to yield under stress instead of breaking or shattering. However, these alloys are also sufficiently hard to resist smaller stresses. Aluminum 6061 is ideal for use with machined parts due to the fact it does not cause damage to machine tools and when polished, displays a semi-gloss finish. Aluminum 2024 functions well as an aircraft alloy due to its hardness – it must resist yielding to outside forces from elements such as rain, dirt and other flying debris).

Regardless of whether you need 2024 aluminum plate, 6061 aluminum plate, or other forms of aluminum alloy, including bar or plate, we have you covered at Howard Precision Metals. Our team will provide you with the technical data to make an educated decision on the best aluminum alloy to meet the requirements of your applications. For more information about our supply of aluminum alloys and our capabilities to meet your material needs, give us a call today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote using the convenient form on our website.

How to make a machine shop website bring in new customers.

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How does one differentiate their job shop from others on the web? Well lets first start with admitting your first goal is to be recognized by Google. Google is the largest search engine by far with over 92% of all searches online happening on Google.

Unlike many other companies with websites, machine shops are not selling tangible products, they are selling a service so you cannot increase your rankings through ecommerce hits. For example, McMaster Carr has tremendous traffic on their site because 1) they sell thousands of items, all manufacturing related in one place and 2) everything listed has a detailed description that takes you right to the item you want to buy. A machine shop must define their services and differentiate them from every other machine shop in order to be found before the thousands of similar machine shops out there.

Google’s goal is to help the users find what they are looking for quickly, so you as a business owner need to help them understand what it is that differentiates your company from other machine shops. Bringing users to your site is only part of it. Google judges how long people stay on your site, and how many pages they navigate through, so you need to keep the user interested enough to read your content. It is all about good content. Google has web crawlers that are looking for keywords, phrases, tagged photos and in addition to rating you on how many hits you get and how long a person stays on your site, they are judging your content to make sure you match up with the person’s search criteria. What’s most important to the search engine is the quality of information and the relevance to the user. Quantity only matters if each bit of information helps the user answer a question or complete an objective.

As an aluminum supplier, we sell to many 10-man machine shops. Most of them don’t have the marketing budget to have an elaborate website created, but they are missing the boat if they don’t recognize what a powerful sales tool a website can be. I decided to write this blog for two reasons. 1) It took me years to understand what is important on a website, and if I can help my customers grow, we will all grow. 2) I love manufacturing and want to see it thrive in the U.S. I believe a country needs to make things to compete on a global basis and here in the U.S. the job shop is part of our manufacturing supply chain.

So here is my list of key components you should have on your website and by the way you should not give this list to your teenage kids and tell them to make it right. Nobody knows your business like you do as an owner. When writing blogs, write them with the love of your business in mind.

  • You need a page dedicated to your equipment list. Not an attached downloadable file and not a picture of your list from a brochure you hand out. It needs to be written into the web page. Include make, model, and year of the machine as well as any upgrades like live tooling or robotics that are not standard to that model. This is important because if an OEM is making a part in house, and is looking to offload some work, they will search on those machine specifications trying to find equipment that matches what they are currently running their parts on. It’s also important to make sure this equipment list is unique to you. Do not simply copy and paste from a competitor’s site. This is called duplicate content and will trigger search engines to not want to rank your page.
  • Have a frequently asked questions page and answer them in detail. It is important that potential customers see your manufacturing processes, business ethics, quality commitment match up with theirs. The buyers we deal with are getting younger and not as apt to pick up the phone. Instead, they feel they can find everything they need on a website. Make it easy to find everything they need on your site so you are not discounted too quickly. Many OEMS require ISO and other quality certifications so make sure that is clearly on your home page and easy to find. FAQs also are hugely valuable to search engines because of the ever-growing population who use voice search. Want to have Siri, Alexa or Google mention your site? FAQs is a great place to start.
  • Write Blogs on your website that not only educates your customers but makes them look to you as a resource of information. Weirdly, less promotion equals a better chance to rank in Google. You want your blogs to give away valuable information for free. Then, because the user will have liked what they read, that visitor should navigate the rest of your site and if you are a resource they need, they are much more likely to contact you now that you opened as a resourceful company versus overly salesy.
  • Lastly social media is all the hype these days, but currently is does not make that much of a difference in the eyes of google if you have a Facebook page or Twitter account. The fact is people of our breed in manufacturing are going to go to the web to find a machining partner. Certainly, posting your blogs on LinkedIn manufacturing groups may bring new eyes to your site and company, but it is far more important that your website tells your story.

Traffic is good, but ultimately, we want the customer to call us and make a connection. Think of your website as the salesman that never sleeps or a cold call waiting to happen. You just never know where your next big customer is going to come from. Hoping mine comes from here.

Why Work With Aluminum 6061?

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Pure aluminum has properties that are fixed, in other words permanent. These properties include strength, malleability, durability, melting point and others. An alloy such as 6061 aluminum, which includes 6061 aluminum plate and 6061 aluminum tooling plate, is the combination of the pure aluminum metal with other alloying elements, creating the aluminum alloy hybrid material. The blending of the properties of the various elements produces a stronger, more durable, and more flexible metal that may be used for particular purposes. When aluminum is alloyed with different metals, its strength can come close to the strength of many steel alloys, but remain light weight.

There are two general classes of aluminum alloys – wrought alloys and casting alloys. Wrought alloys include 6061, 2024, 7075, & 7050. They are cast and then sent through the extruding, rolling, or forging process as they are worked into particular shapes. Casting alloys like A380 may be poured into molds that are cast in sand to produce the desired shape. Heat treating may be used on some of these alloys to increase their hardness and strength.

6061 Aluminum Properties

6061 aluminum is among the most commonly available heat treatable aluminum alloys used in commercial applications. Its primary alloying elements are magnesium and silicon. Other metallic elements that comprise the alloy include copper, iron, zinc, chromium, titanium, manganese. As a lightweight, medium to high strength, and economic material, aluminum alloy 6061 sets the standard. Some alloys manufactured previously to 6061 had the problem of stress corrosion cracking. However, the addition of chromium into this alloy gives it corrosion resistance.

The various advantageous properties of 6061 aluminum, including 6061 aluminum plate and 6061 aluminum tooling plate, include toughness and structural strength, solid corrosion resistance, good surface finish, machinability, resistance to seawater and atmosphere, weldability, and the ability to be joined. Many other types of aluminum alloys are difficult to weld resulting from their chemical composition and poor conductivity. Although 6061 aluminum alloy can lose strength when welded, the material may be heat treated again and aged artificially to help restore its strength.

Anodizing and other coatings may be applied to 6061 aluminum, an alloy which possesses exceptional connection properties. As an experienced aluminum supplier, we choose our suppliers very carefully. As we all know there are many foreign producers of Aluminum, but they are not all good. Our customers demand the highest quality at a competitive price and high quality doesn’t just need to look good, but it needs to machine well, remain dimensionally stable, and meet all required specifications. We provide 6061 aluminum plate with a satin brushed finish that provides the plate with consistent surface finish ready for anodizing. Aluminum alloy 6061 possesses better mechanical and physical properties than many other casted products like A380. In addition, if you specify 6061 Aluminum Tooling Plate, you can obtain enhanced flatness tolerances in thicknesses up to 4”. This is available only with aluminum 6061-T651 and not in other alloys.

Aluminum alloy 6061 can be easily cold worked and formed in its annealed condition. Through the use of common operational methods, the processes of stamping, bending, and tapping can be applied to the material, which is versatile and easy to manage.

6061 Aluminum Uses

Aluminum alloy 6061, including 6061 aluminum plate is used widely as a construction material and often in automotive manufacturing applications. Some of the products and components that are made with 6061 include motorcycles, camera lenses, brake components, yachts, marine fittings, scuba tanks, archery equipment, electrical fittings, fishing reels, valves and couplings, and bicycle frames. Many roof structures with wide spans, including those for arenas and bridge decks, are made with this type of aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy.

For extrusion purposes, 6061 aluminum alloy is one of the most versatile and commonly used. Due to the fact that it possesses strength for many structural applications, it is often referred to as a structural aluminum. The combination of properties it possesses makes it applicable for a variety of applications.

It takes familiarity with aluminum alloys to know which one is best for a particular application. Although distributors do not employ engineers to design for end, use they are experienced with Aluminum Alloys and will provide you with the specification data for you to make your structural calculations. Working with an experienced aluminum supplier can help you in the process of material selection. At Howard Precision, we strive to help our clients find the perfect material match, whether it involves 6061 aluminum plate, 6061 aluminum tooling plate or another aluminum alloy material. We are here to help you achieve success in your projects and applications.

If you have requirements related to aluminum alloys or aluminum extrusions for a project or application, our professionals at Howard Precision Metals can help. For more information about our products and services, give us a call today at 800.444.0311 or go to our website and request a quote.

Applications of 2024 Aluminum Alloy

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Aluminum is similar to steel as one of the most available and frequently selected metals for numerous commercial and industrial applications. Whether the application involves commercial aircraft construction or the manufacture of a host of consumer products, 2024 is an often chosen aluminum alloy. This alloy possesses excellent strength and outstanding resistance to fatigue. Consequently, it is highly ideal for use in numerous aerospace applications. It is the perfect option for applications requiring metals with optimum strength-to-weight ratios. At Howard Precision Metals, we are your source for the 2024 aluminum alloy products you need for your applications.

Aerospace and Other Applications

Alloy 2024 was introduced by Alcoa in 1931. It was the first Al-Cu-Mg alloy to have a yield strength approaching 50,000-psi and generally replaced 2017-T4 as the predominant 2XXX series aircraft alloy. The strong fatigue resistance makes the Alloy 2024 a continual specification for many aerospace and structural applications. The machinability as well as the workability of both 2024 and 2024 T351 also make them perfect for automotive part production.

Aluminum 2024 is a common feature in aircraft industry applications as a result of its high-strength qualities. This alloy, however, also has relatively poor resistance to corrosion. When used in aircraft sheet applications As a result, it is often given aluminum or Al-1Zn cladding for protection, which may at the same time lower its fatigue strength. While it has questionable capabilities at resisting corrosion, it possesses good machinability characteristics. These properties are crucial for applications requiring machined parts and precision fitting. Because of the alloy’s exceptional grain structure, aluminum 2024 is also ideal for applications that require thread rolling and cold heading. The chief alloying element of 2024 aluminum is copper. This alloy may be welded, but only effectively by means of friction welding.

The following applications make common use of 2024 aluminum alloy:

  • Aircraft structural elements such as fuselage and wing structures that carry tension forces
  • Aircraft fittings
  • Truck wheels
  • Hardware of various types
  • Hydraulic Manifolds
  • Other transportation vehicle components

Shear ribs and webs and the wing and tension members mentioned above include 2024 aluminum plates – these are structural configurations that require good strength, fatigue resistance, and stiffness. Aluminum 2024 sheet alloy is used in military and commercial aircraft fuselage skin applications.

Aluminum 2024 is most commonly stock in plate and bar forms, sheet with Alclad protection, and some custom extruded shapes. Most bar is stock cold finished as the round stock is often machined on screw machines requiring tighter diameter tolerances to hold. Due to the high strength of a 2024 alloy, it is difficult to extrude, and there are only a few extruders that have the capabilities to extrude 2024 with limited complexity. It can be produced in an annealed condition as well as various tempers – T3, T4, and T8. It is not usually forged, however, unlike its closely related alloy, 2014 aluminum.

Aluminum alloy 2024 is highly-suited to handle high strength requirements. It is used frequently for fittings that must withstand fatigue. Impact applications where typically components would fatigue over time will often be engineered out of 2024 as well as applications where temperature fluctuations may result in thermal shock.

Aluminum alloy 2024 is also used commonly for worm gears, fuse parts, couplings, hardware, colts, shafts, clock parts, computer components, and other structural parts. As an age-hardening alloy, 2024 aluminum reacts well to heat treating applications. Aluminum 2024-T3 is ideal for use in RV restoration and repair projects because of its shiny finish appearance.

The structural mechanical benefits of aluminum 2024 can vary significantly based on its particular temper. Some of the most common available tempers of this alloy are 2024-T351, 2024-T851, 2024-T6, 2024-T4, 2024-T3, 2024-O. Increased tensile strength among other improvements are noticeable when 2024 alloy is manufactured in these tempers. Difficult machining processes like deep hole drilling are a strong suit for 2024 heat treated.

Although aluminum alloy 7075 is used often for high strain and stress applications, 2024 aluminum also has exceptional resistance to cyclic fatigue, as stated above high cycle counts on impact applications. It also has more strength than 6061 aluminum, but less versatility.

Heat-Treating 2024 for Enhanced Strength

Heat treatment operations can be used on various aluminum alloys in the 2xxx, 6xxx, and 7xxx series, and this includes 2024. The process of heat treating for 2024 involves heating the alloy to a pre-determined temperature that allows the mixing or homogenizing of the alloy elements into the base metal. Then, the metal undergoes solution heat treating that involves the quenching of the metal in a solution that keeps the elements in position.

As the piece cools down, atoms of copper and other elements precipitate from the solution. Through this process, the alloy increases strength by aging – this involves the interaction of compounds with the aluminum metal’s superstructure. Based on the actual process of heat treating and aging, the 2024 aluminum may be assigned designations such as 2024-T351, 2024-T4, 2024-T851, or others.

Machinability and Forming

Aluminum alloy 2024 possesses solid machining capabilities in its annealed and heat-treated conditions. However, this aluminum alloy may not undergo hot forming.

Our team can provide 2024 aluminum plates ranging in thicknesses from 1/4 in. to 6 in. These plates may be used for various applications, including hydraulic manifolds, fuselage structures, shear webs and ribs, and tension members. Your applications can be properly outfitted with 2024 aluminum in areas that require structural strength and fatigue resistance.

At Howard Precision Metals, we are your source for aluminum alloy products to help you achieve your project specifications and goals, including 2024 aluminum plates and other 2024 aluminum products for aircraft and other industrial and commercial applications. For more information about how we can serve your aluminum alloy needs, give us a call today at 800.444.0311, or request a quote on our website.

Applications of 6061 Aluminum Alloy

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Aluminum alloy 6061 is a very common grade of aluminum alloy produced in various forms to be used for numerous applications. This includes 6061 aluminum plate, 6061 aluminum tooling plate, and 6061 aluminum bar or extrusions. It is often the alloy of choice for applications that include furniture, boats, or general engineering applications. At Howard Precision Metals, we are your source for an extensive range of aluminum alloys that help our customers fulfill their commercial and industrial applications, including 6061 aluminum. We retain a wide array of industrial connections with premier extruders in the aluminum and metals industries to ensure you receive the products you need.

What makes 6061 aluminum versatile for a variety of applications? The elements that make up the metal are what gives it its versatility. The prime alloying elements of 6061 are magnesium and silicone at 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. These elements give 6061 exceptional resistance to stress, cracking, and corrosion, in addition to good weldability and formability.

Broad Array of Industrial Applications

Aluminum alloy 6061 is a heat-treatable alloy of medium to high-strength that possesses a level of strength greater than that of alloy 6005A. Its fatigue strength is medium. It has very good weldability and corrosion resistance, even though its strength is lessened in the weld zone. It possesses good cold formability.

Aluminum 6061 is often used in certain heavy duty structural applications that involve:

  • Truck frames
  • Rail coaches
  • Military and commercial bridges
  • Ship building operations
  • Towers and pylons
  • Aerospace applications (i.e. helicopter rotor skins)
  • Rivets
  • Transport operations
  • Motorboats
  • Tube exercise equipment
  • Boilermaking

Aluminum 6061, including 6061 aluminum plate is commonly used in automobile manufacturing operations where fixtures are needed for production lines. Some of the parts and products constructed with 6061 alloy include marine fittings, camera lenses, yachts, motorcycles, bicycle frames, brake parts, valves and couplings, fishing reels, electrical fittings, archery equipment, and scuba tanks. This form of aluminum-magnesium silicon alloy is often used for the manufacture of a wide span roof structures such as those for bridge decks and arenas.

For purposes of extrusion, aluminum 6061 is one of the most commonly used and versatile alloys. Because it possesses such significant strength for numerous structural applications, it is often called structural aluminum. When designing a custom extruded shape for a structural application, it is best to include generous corner radii both to increase the strength of the design and ease of extrudability. The chemical properties of this 6061 alloy enable its effective use in wide-ranging applications including specially designed custom extrusion shapes.

Aluminum 6061, including 6061 aluminum plate and extruded bar is often put through a process of hot forging. Using an induction furnace, billets are heated and forged within a closed die process. The process of forging is utilized to make various industrial components, including ATV and automobile parts.

6061 Aluminum Sheet

One of the most commonly used materials in the world is aluminum alloy 6061 T6 sheet. The T6 in this designation identifies the temper (or degree of hardness) of the alloy, which is produced through a process of precipitation hardening. This alloy is heat-treatable and has a solid strength-to-weight ratio. With excellent weldability and formability, this aluminum alloy is used for applications involving furniture, boats, and more.

6061 Aluminum Bar

Aluminum bar 6061 is among the most versatile and commonly utilized aluminum alloy. Various industrial applications use this form of 6061 aluminum. However, the 2000 serious aluminum alloys possess better machinability.

Extruded rectangles, squares, and rounds match up with ASTM B221 and AMS QQ-A-200/8 and cold finished hexes and rounds match up with ASTM B211 and AMS QQ-225/8. Extruded 6061 square bar is easily cut, machined, and welded for a number of different demanding uses that require a significant corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. Many extruded rounds under 2.0” dia. of 6061 aluminum are produced to precise diameter tolerances for screw machine applications.

6061 Aluminum Plate

Out of the heat-treated or sometimes referred to as wrought alloys, 6061 aluminum plate is one of the most versatile. This alloy is used for stairs, ramps, and flooring due to its exceptional resistance to corrosion, weldability, machinability and strength.

6061 Aluminum Angle

When it comes to structural applications, 6061 aluminum alloy angle is one of the most commonly used shapes. This form of 6061 aluminum is ideal for welding and possesses an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

Our team at Howard Precision Metals is here to help you find the ideal aluminum alloy for your application, whether that involves 6061 aluminum tooling plate or other grade of aluminum. We are committed to helping you meet your project requirements with the right aluminum alloy materials for the job.

If you need one or more grades of aluminum alloy, including 6061 or others, for a current or upcoming project or application, our professionals at Howard Precision Metals have you covered. To learn about how we can serve your aluminum alloy requirements, call us today at 800.444.0311 or visit our website and request a quote.

2024 Aluminum: Get To Know Its Properties and Uses

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Aluminum alloys are used extensively by engineers for a variety of applications. The attributes of these materials such as conductivity, strength, and corrosion resistance all determine how they are used. Here, we are covering 2024 aluminum which is derived from the 2xxx series of aluminum alloys or those which have copper as the primary alloying element. At Howard Precision, we are your source for a wide range of outstanding aluminum alloy products, including those in the 2024 grade, such as 2024 T351 aluminum plates.

2024 Aluminum Physical Properties

In 2024 aluminum alloy, the alloying elements used significantly increases its strength. This is due to the fact that copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) are added with a combined elemental percentage of 6.5% – Cu-4.4%, Mg-1.5%, and Mn-0.6%. However, the increase in strength provided by the high percentage of copper does reduce its corrosion resistance.

Aluminum 2024 has decent workability and is easily machined, which allows it to be extruded, cold finished, and cut as required.

Corrosion Resistance

As mentioned above, basic 2024 aluminum alloy is susceptible to corrosion to a greater degree than most other aluminum alloys. This problem can be taking care of on sheet products by cladding a more corrosion resistant Aluminum to the 2024 sheet. The final product created has the strength of 2024, the corrosion resistance of the other alloy and still remains light weight. The cladding will likely be a high purity aluminum alloy like 1100 or 3003.

Heat-Treating 2024 for Enhanced Strength

Heat treatment is typically employed on 2024 aluminum alloy as it can with other aluminum alloys such as in the 2xxx, 6xxx, and 7xxx series. In this process, the alloy is heated to a set temperature that enables the alloying elements to homogenize or mix into the base metal. The metal is then subjected to solution heat treating in which the metal is quenched in a solution that locks the elements in place. Copper atoms and other elements precipitate out of the solution as the piece cools. This process increases the strength of the alloy through a process called aging in which the compounds interact with the microstructure of the aluminum. Depending on how the processes of aging and solution heat treating are carried out, 2024 aluminum may be given particular temper designations such as 2024-T3, 2024-T351, and 2024-T4.

2024 Mechanical Properties

Aluminum alloys, including 2024 aluminum plates, may be specified based on particular mechanical properties they possess. Some of the important properties in 2024 include yield strength, ultimate strength, fatigue strength, shear strength, shear modulus, and modulus of elasticity. The values of these properties determine such features as strength, workability and possible uses of the material.

Yield strength is the maximum stress the material can undergo without the material permanently deforming. Ultimate strength is the maximum stress some material can undergo before the material fractures. The yield and ultimate strengths of 2024 aluminum are quite high at 47,000 psi and 68,000 psi respectively, which makes the alloy highly useful for certain high-strength structural applications.

Aluminum 2024 has a moderately strong shear strength value of 41,000 psi. With this level of shear strength, you can find 2024 used in shear pins where Aluminum is needed over steel. In aerospace applications, fatigue strength is a valuable measure for 2024 aluminum alloy and others. Aircraft components undergo repeated stresses involving landing and takeoff activities. These stresses do not initially cause deformation. However, when they are repeated over a period of time, they may microscopically weaken the alloy, which can lead to a macroscopic weakening. Fatigue strength measures a material’s resistance to breaking under the action of recurring stresses. Aluminum alloy 2024, including in the form of 2024 aluminum plates, has a fatigue strength of 20,000 psi when calculated with 500 million cycles of loading that occur below the yield point.

The shear modulus and modulus of elasticity are properties of a material that indicate how resilient they are to permanent deformation. Aluminum alloy 2024 has a shear modulus of 4,060 ksi and a modulus of elasticity of 10,600 ksi, which are greater than the same properties in 7075 aluminum.

Uses for 2024 Aluminum

Type 2024 aluminum alloy has high-strength, good workability, excellent machinability and the ability to accept cladding to make it corrosion resistant. All these properties put together make it an excellent choice for applications involving aircraft and vehicles. Many industries utilize aluminum 2024 alloy. Some of the common applications for this alloy include cylinders, truck wheels, pistons, gears, hydraulic manifold blocks, and impact machinery.

Aluminum 2024 is often utilized in structural applications involving aircraft as a result of this high strength and resistance to fatigue. Although 7075 aluminum alloy is ideal for applications that include high stress and strain resistance, aluminum 2024 has strong cyclic fatigue resistance. It is also a stronger aluminum alloy than 6061 but not as versatile.

Our team at Howard Precision Metals is here to help you with any projects for applications you may have involving aluminum extrusion requirements and aluminum alloys, including 2024 aluminum plates. For more information about our aluminum products and services, call us today 800.444.0311, or request a quote on our website. We are happy to provide you with comparative specification sheets on each alloy you are considering for your end application.

Benefits of 7075 Aluminum for Various Industries

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If you are interested in purchasing one or more temper grades of 7075 aluminum alloy, it is important to purchase this alloy from an aluminum supplier with extensive experience and a wide range of capabilities serving your industry. At Howard Precision Metals, we work intricately with an array of top-quality producers in the metals and aluminum supply industry to help ensure you obtain the exceptional quality products you need for your applications. Our sawing services enable us to implement state-of-the-art technological processes that allow us to consistently provide the ideal aluminum shapes our customers require.

Zinc is the primary alloying element used in 7075 aluminum alloy. It possesses above average machinability and good fatigue strength. However, it delivers less corrosion resistance than many other types of alloys, and it also is not weldable. Where less expensive alloys are not a good option, this relatively higher cost alloy is often the better choice.

7075 aluminum alloy is produced in a few different temper grades – 7075-T6, 7075-T651, , 7075 T7351 and 7075-O.

7075 Properties

As a durable and high strength aluminum alloy grade, 7075 consists of various alloying elements proven to create an Aluminum alloy designed to provide exceptional capabilities and features. These elements include zinc, silicon, magnesium, chromium, iron, and obviously, aluminum. The combination of these elements gives the alloy good machinability and an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio.

Beneficial Features of 7075 Aluminum

7075 aluminum has the reputation of being the strongest grade aluminum alloy among many widely used aluminum alloys for various industrial purposes. It delivers a similar level of strength as many steel alloys while also possessing the benefits of easy machinability, corrosion resistance, and a lightweight metal.

7075 alloy has a reflective characteristic and produces a visually appealing finish when polished – this often eliminates the need for painting and also reduces the weight of the object, which is an important necessity in aerospace applications.

7075 aluminum consists of (90%) Aluminum, zinc (5.6%), magnesium (2.5%), and copper (1.6%) and has a density of .102 lbs/ cubic inch. It can support stresses that are produced during high-altitude flights, which makes it the ideal option for many aircraft structural components.

Aluminum alloy 7075 tempers T7351 T173 deliver exceptional stress corrosion resistance.

As indicated above, zinc is the chief alloying element in 7075 aluminum. This alloy was the first Al-Zn-Mg-Cu high-strength alloy that included chromium, an element that provides 7075 with exceptional resistance to stress corrosion cracking in its sheet form. 7075 aluminum possesses a high level of fatigue strength despite the fact that it is not weldable, performs at an average level, and delivers a minimal amount of corrosion resistance. However, the alloy’s high-strength to density ratio makes it ideal for applications involving military rifles and rock climbing, just to name two.

7075 Aluminum Applications

The 7000 aluminum alloy series is used in a variety of applications. 7075 aluminum has lightweight and toughness characteristics that manufacturers and product users alike recognize as highly beneficial. The aerospace, aircraft, and automotive industries utilize this aluminum alloy with its exceptional fatigue resistance, which is highly beneficial in the industries just mentioned. This aluminum alloy is the cost-efficient option for applications that involve particular stresses such as continual movement and pressure changes.

7075 is used extensively in the development of aircraft related structures such as fuselages and wings. Applications in other fields, including those involving recreation, such as bicycling, rock climbing, archery, and gun manufacturers benefit from 7075 aluminum alloy for various components. The military has used 7075 aluminum alloy in the manufacture of M-16 rifles.

Aluminum alloy 7075 is offered in various forms to meet the needs of different applications. Aluminum bar in particular is utilized for various types of high stress applications. Regardless of whether the application involves bicycle components, military grade rifles, or plastic industry molds, 7075 is often the alloy chosen. Other types of highly stressed structural components such as gears, fuse parts, and bows are also manufactured with 7075 aluminum alloy.

Machining and Welding Operations

Grade 7075 is a highly machinable Aluminum Alloy, however welding of 7075 is not recommended. The heat treating of this alloy disperses the alloying elements uniformly around the base element of Aluminum. This creates a product that chips well when machined at high speeds and does not clog up the cutting tools. Unfortunately, the combination of the alloying elements contained in 7075, along with the heat-treating process to make the temper designation, does not create a product that can be welded soundly. Since this product is used for high strength applications by design, introducing a welded area diminishes the strength in both the base part and the weld areas. I am not saying that 7075 is not able to be welded, but because of the concern of micro-cracking and reduced strength in the heat affected zone of the material, welding 7075 is frowned upon by design engineers and riveting is the preferred method for joining two pieces of 7075. Although it is not recommended to employ general welding operations on 7075 aluminum alloy, there is one application that will occasionally weld 7075 or 7000 series alloys. The plastic mold industry often finds itself repairing or modifying existing injection or blow molds. The process of cutting or grinding out a defect then filling it in is commonplace in the mold industry. Many molds are made of 7075 Aluminum. However, even in the mold industry, welding 7075 can create problems. The need to heat up the base material before the filler is laid into the defect changes the micro-structure of the aluminum. This area is called the heat affected zone. Once this area is heated it becomes softer than the rest of the mold and causes a potential change in the surface appearance of the mold. Especially if the mold has a textured surface as part of its design. This surface texturing will not look consistent. The alloy’s corrosion resistance properties may also be reduced when subjected to arc or gas welding.

For more than 90 years, we have provided an array of industrial customers with the metals they need for their applications. Regardless of your specific aluminum alloy requirements, such as 7075 aluminum in one or more of its various tempers, in addition to aluminum stock and extrusions, our team has you covered. To learn more about how we can serve your 7075 aluminum alloy requirements, call us today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote through our website.

Benefits of Aluminum Extrusions

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Aluminum extrusions provide an array of benefits in terms of their characteristics and available industrial applications. At Howard Precision Metals, we are the leading aluminum extrusion supplier you can trust to deliver the aluminum extrusion shapes you need for your projects and applications.

The various benefits provided by aluminum extrusions include:

Strength

Aluminum extrusions stock may be developed with varying levels of strength to meet the needs of a wide range of applications. The extrusion process enables the concentration of strength where it is required – for instance with the addition of internal reinforcement and varying wall thicknesses. These extrusions are particularly beneficial for cold-weather applications in which aluminum performs well.

Note: we often think of strength coming from which aluminum alloy we choose, but in Aluminum extrusion shapes, additional strength can come from the design.

Lightweight Characteristic

Aluminum extrusions are often easy to handle relative to other potential options with aluminum having approximately one-third the weight of steel, iron, copper, and brass. When weight reduction is a priority for applications that involve moving parts or transportation, aluminum extrusions are an attractive option.

Resilience

Aluminum and aluminum extrusions are flexible and strong. They offer considerable resiliency, having the ability to spring back from impact loads and flex under other loads, making them particularly useful as extruded parts for crash management systems in automobiles.

High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Aluminum extrusion shapes consist of a unique combination of low weight and high strength, making them ideal in applications where supporting heavy loads and minimizing weight is important, such as in bridges, truck trailers, and aerospace designs.

Corrosion Resistance

Aluminum extrusions stock is highly corrosion resistant. The surface of aluminum is protected naturally through oxidation, which prevents rust. This natural protection can be enhanced by anodization or other finishing processes.

Excellent Thermal Conductors

Aluminum and aluminum extrusions conduct cold and heat more efficiently than other metals in terms of their weight and overall cost. This makes extrusion ideal for applications involving heat dissipation or heat exchangers. The design flexibility offered with extrusions permit designers to optimize heat dissipation in various components, including housings.

Excellent Electrical Conductor

Aluminum has twice the conductivity as copper when compared pound for pound. As a result, aluminum extrusions are highly cost-effective for bus bar distribution parts and electrical connectors.

Non-Sparking

Aluminum is a non-sparking metal and as such aluminum extrusion shapes are ideal for applications that involve highly flammable environments or explosive materials.

Nontoxic and Noncombustible

Even in exceptionally high temperatures, aluminum does not emit toxic fumes and it also does not burn.

Non-magnetic

Because aluminum does not develop a magnetic charge, aluminum extrusions stock products are ideal for use in high-voltage applications in addition to electronics (where magnetic fields are often involved).

Seamless Construction

The aluminum extrusion process allows the creation of complex shapes that do not require mechanical connections. This results in the development of profiles that are often stronger than mechanically joined assemblies and also less prone to leaking or loosening over time.

Reflective

Aluminum extrusion shapes and parts may be given surface treatments that create high reflectance, a property that is advantageous for applications involving lighting or where it is necessary to protect certain areas from light, infrared radiation, or radio waves.

Easily Tailored to Customized Requirements

Aluminum extrusions are preferred for the design of many products because of the ability to design custom profiles that meet various aesthetic, functional, and manufacturability requirements. Creating a custom Aluminum extrusion shape is also very cost effective when comparing to machining a block to the same design.

Easy Fabrication and Assembly

Various fabrication processes are used in the production of aluminum extrusions stock and custom assemblies and components. When aluminum extrusions are effectively designed, the fabrication that follows is often greatly simplified.

As an example, it takes particular skill and experience to produce consistently good welds. In the process of welding and making other connections, additional pieces of material may be required and some material may be lost due to practice or if errors occur. On the other hand, an aluminum extrusion made from a single piece can be used instead of a number of separate pieces that need to be welded together. In addition, aluminum extrusion can be used to design sections that easily assemble together through interlocking.

Fast-to-market

Aluminum extrusion shapes are generally available with short lead times, which means designers can opt for optimized designs instead of settling for standard aluminum extrusions stock available in catalogs. This facilitates the development of prototypes, testing, and new product launches.

Recyclable and Reusable

Aluminum may be recycled over and over again without a reduction in its properties. Often times, aluminum extrusion shapes are produced using a high percentage of recycled content without negatively affecting the end product’s functionality or aesthetics. There is a considerable market for scrap aluminum. Any aluminum piece that has reached the end of its service life may be recycled for eventual reuse. Because aluminum is reusable, some assemblies made from extruded aluminum sections may be disassembled if needed, with the individual pieces used in other ways.

If you have aluminum extrusion requirements related to a project or application, our team at Howard Precision Metals can help. Give us a call today at 800.444.0311 or visit our website to request a quote.

7050 vs. 7075 Aluminum

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In the aerospace industry, aluminum alloys of the 7XXX series are commonly used to make components of aircraft. Two of the most commonly utilized alloys in this series are 7050 and 7075 aluminum. Because of the high strength coupled with good resistance to exfoliation and stress corrosion cracking, 7050 is commonly used in structural aircraft parts. Another highly capable 7XXX series alloy, 7075 also demonstrates superior strength and is heavily used by the aircraft and ordnance industries.

Below we cover the properties and uses for both 7075 and 7050 aluminum.

7075 Aluminum

A material’s modulus of elasticity and shear modulus measures its resistance to deformation. 7075-T651 aluminum plate has a typical modulus of elasticity of 71.0 GPa (10,300 Ksi) and a typical ultimate shearing strength of 48 KSI or 331 MPa. The shear strength is the maximum shearing stress the material can endure before it undergoes permanent deformation. It has considerable strength and good resistance to deformation, which makes it ideal for applications that require a lightweight, yet tough metal.

The yield strength of an alloy is one of its most important characteristics. It is defined as the maximum stress that will not cause permanent deformation of the material. The tensile yield strength of 7075 aluminum alloy is 503 MPa (73 KSI). It takes that much stress imposed on a section of 7075 aluminum alloy before it will not return to its original shape. This characteristic makes it highly useful for structural applications such as aluminum tubing for frames.

The ultimate strength of materials is another useful factor. It is the maximum stress that may be imposed before the material reaches its fracture point, or “snaps.” Prior to reaching the fracture point, the material will experience permanent (or plastic) deformation, not being able to return to its original shape. This parameter is useful for situations in which deformation is possible and needed, such as in tall buildings and military applications. Considering its low density, 7075-T651 aluminum plate has an impressively high ultimate tensile strength of 572 MPa (83 KSI).

The aerospace industry often utilizes 7075 aluminum. This industry routinely considers fatigue failure rates. A material may fail even if it undergoes a stress lower than its yield. A cyclical stress, which involves periodic loading with a certain level of force, can impose micro fractures which weaken the material, eventually causing it to break. A material’s fatigue strength indicates its ability to undergo this type of cyclical loading. It is a useful measurement for applications involving parts of this material that are subjected to repeated loading cycles, such as those that occur in motor vehicles and aircraft. Type 7075-T651 aluminum alloy has a typical fatigue strength of 158 MPa (23 KSI). This fatigue strength value is derived from the application of 500 million cycles of periodic, continuous loading of material below the yield point. This demonstrates how relatively small repeated forces and stresses can lead to the fracture of a strong alloy over a period of time.

Your Source for 7075 Aluminum

At Howard Precision, we carry 7075-T651 aluminum plate in thicknesses of .25-inches all the way up to 8-inches. Our master plate sizes are typically either 48.5- or 60.5-inches width, each with a length of 144.5-inches. Although most of the 7075-T651 aluminum plate we offer conforms to AMS 4045, QQA 250/12, and ASTM B209 specifications, please let us know if you have any specification requirements at time of quotation and/or order. Every piece of aluminum we sell is fully traceable back to the master plate, complete will mill certifications. You can trust our team of aluminum experts to provide you with accurate information about specific mills, industry specifications, or compliance matters.

7050 Aluminum

If your application requires high-strength, then 7050-T7451 aluminum plate could be what you need. Alloy 7050 aluminum plates, more so than 7075, are used frequently for aerospace requirements, particularly in the range of 3 to 6 inches thick. In fact, this alloy is often used in aircraft components such as fuselage frames and bulkheads.

Although the mechanical properties of 7050 are similar to 7075, there are some variations.

First, 7050 T7451 offers better stress corrosion cracking resistance and corrosion resistance. Also, toughness than alloy 7075. Compared to other aerospace alloys, 7050 is less quench sensitive. Because of this, the alloy’s strength properties, fracture toughness levels, and corrosion cracking resistance are retained more effectively than other high-strength aluminum alloys, especially in thicker sections. This also contributes to slightly better machinability, as compared to other high strength aluminum alloys, in those heavier thicknesses.

At Howard Precision Metals, our 7050 and 7075 plate inventories are primarily filled with Kaiser Select Aerospace plate. This plate is known for providing lower residual stress, consistent grain control throughout its thickness, and exceptional machining performance. Kaiser products utilize a highly automated manufacturing process that delivers consistency from lot to lot as well as delivering the industry standard for flatness.

Your Source for 7050 Aluminum

As a 100% aluminum distributor, we know that quality performance beings with premium aluminum products. That’s why we stock only the best aluminum plate and extrusion products available. Our 7050 aluminum plate is in-stock and ready for order. Need sawing? No problem. Let us do it for you. With our custom-built, high-speed, precision aluminum plate saws, we can hold saw tolerances as tight as ±.005” on any aluminum of our wrought aluminum alloys, which includes 7050 aluminum plate.

Since 1928, our company has serviced customers from many different industries. If you need 7075 aluminum or 7050 aluminum plate, we have you covered with an extensive in-stock aluminum. To learn more about how we can supply you with the best aluminum for your applications, give us a call today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote directly on our website.

2024 Aluminum vs. 7075 Aluminum

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When it comes to commercial applications, aluminum is one of the most commonly available and used metals throughout the world. It is found in everything from consumer products to commercial aircraft. At Howard Precision, we offer an extensive array of exceptional aluminum alloy products, including 2024-T351 and 7075-T651 aluminum plate.

Among the variety of aluminum alloys available on the market, 2024 aluminum is possibly the most well-known aircraft aluminum alloy. It is an ideal alloy when you need material that has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum alloy 2024 offers exceptional strength and fatigue resistance which makes it highly useful in various types of aerospace applications.

The aerospace industry also utilizes 7075 aluminum alloy. The primary alloying element in this metal is zinc, which gives it exceptional strength. This alloy is part of the 7000 series of aluminum alloys and is one of the strongest available alloys, even comparable to certain types of steel. Despite its strength, it does not offer the same level of weldability, machinability, and corrosion resistance as some other common aluminum alloys.

First, let’s look at 2024 aluminum:

Properties of 2024 Aluminum Properties

In 1931, Alcoa developed the 2024 aluminum alloy. Due to its beneficial properties and characteristics, it is the ideal aluminum alloy for aircraft applications. It generally replaces the use of 2017-T4 as the preferred alloy in many aircraft design applications.

The beneficial properties of 2024 aluminum alloy include stress corrosion cracking resistance, strength, and stiffness. The alloy also possesses excellent shearing resistance and can operate effectively when exposed to extreme temperatures. Although it does have limited corrosion resistance when located near the sea in lower atmospheric conditions, this issue may be handled effectively through the either painting or the application of cladding, which is the bonding together of dissimilar metals. In general, the 2XXX series of aluminum is “clad with either a high-purity alloy of a 6XXX series alloy to resist corrosion.”

2024 Aluminum Benefits

The major alloying element in 2024 is copper. This gives the alloy enhanced fatigue resistance and additional strength. Aluminum alloy 2024 is able to absorb high levels of stress and strain over extended time frames. The afore-mentioned features and characteristics make it exceptionally useful for aircraft and marine applications that involve fittings and components, structures, transportation parts (i.e. truck wheels), hardware, and other applications that require fatigue resistance. 2024 aluminum is also utilized in certain military commercial aircraft applications involving engine areas in which the temperatures reach very high levels.

Aluminum alloy 2024 can be flash, spot, or seam welded. It is also easy to machine and has favorable workability and heat treatable properties. This aluminum alloy is often extruded and provided in sheet and plate form.

2024 Aluminum and the Aircraft Industry

Different applications in the aircraft industry utilize 2024 aluminum, including hydraulic manifolds, rips, wing skins, fuselages, and wing tension members. It is also highly beneficial for use in aircraft engine components. Alclad versions of this aluminum alloy can be beneficial for the fuselage skins of military and commercial aircraft.

Now, let’s look at 7075 aluminum:

Aluminum plate alloy 7075 is a high strength aluminum alloy that is extremely useful in highly stressed parts. Common applications of 7075 aluminum include aerospace and defense, automotive, and in manufacturing. A wide variety of products are made using 7075 aluminum, such as camping knife and fork sets, tactical arms, hobby grade RC models, and competition yo-yos. This alloy is also commonly used in the mold making industry because of its high strength, thermal properties and ability to be polished.

Features of 7075 Aluminum

As previously mentioned, 7075 aluminum is a flexible and durable aluminum alloy available in various tempers, including 7075-0, 7075-T6, and 7075-T651. While the primary alloying element is zinc, additional elements are added during the production of this alloy and include iron, silicon, course aluminum, chromium, and magnesium. The resulting metal has high strength and a low density. This is what is commonly referred to as having a high strength-to-weight ratio. This ratio is what makes 7075 so attractive in applications, such as aircraft and aerospace, which require lighter weight, durable materials to safely operate.

The process of resistance welding to 7075 aluminum can provide sufficient results. However, the application of other welding processes such as gas or arc welding may diminish the alloy’s natural corrosion resistance. It is easier to machine in its annealed condition than in its cold condition. Forming 7075 aluminum is less of an issue in its annealed condition. However, forming 7075 is not suggested.

7075 Aluminum Applications

The lightweight and toughness characteristics of 7075 aluminum alloy make it highly useful in the aerospace, aircraft, and automotive industries. It is a malleable yet strong aluminum alloy that is used for the manufacture of various structural parts, including valves, gears, fuses, and other components that endure high stress conditions.

For more than 90 years we have provided metal supply services to a broad range of industrial customers. If you have need for 2024 aluminum or 7075 aluminum, we have you covered with a wide-ranging aluminum alloy supply. For information about how we can serve your aluminum alloy needs, call us today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote on our website.

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