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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Paul Smith on May 21, 2009, 06:20:04 AM

Title: What is a good grade of aluminum to buy?
Post by: Paul Smith on May 21, 2009, 06:20:04 AM

I bought some 6061 aluminum from McMaster Carr.  It was "OK" but I've heard some rumbling that there may be a better grade to use.

My applications:

Engine mounts (all metal),
Plate between engine and wood mounts,
Threaded plate under the wood mounts,
Bellcrank.

Title: Re: What is a good grae of aluminum to buy?
Post by: Randy Ryan on May 21, 2009, 06:25:28 AM

Paul,

If it's 6061-T6 you don't need anything better, it will hold threads and its as tough as you'll ever need it to be. There is 7075 (not sure of the tempers available), but that's some pretty expensive stuff, overkill.

Title: Re: What is a good grae of aluminum to buy?
Post by: Mark Scarborough on May 21, 2009, 08:08:52 AM

The "-T6" is part of the equation, that is the temper of the metal. T-6 is good, "-0" would not be, unless your trying to form a cowling and need to shape it,, -0 is dead soft.

Title: Re: What is a good grae of aluminum to buy?
Post by: don Burke on May 22, 2009, 11:14:25 AM

For general use 6061 is OK.  The T + a number indicates the temper.  "0" showing no temper.  For ultimate strength and machinablity 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 are much better, but as noted more expensive and harder to find.  Also I have found some 2011 extruded shapes at McMaster-Carr, round and hex, that are an absolute joy to machine for spinner nuts, venturis, etc.  A machinist friend of mine used to refer to 6061 as "GUM"!

Title: Re: What is a good grae of aluminum to buy?
Post by: Pinecone on May 23, 2009, 06:02:09 AM

Good info on various alloys and tempers of aluminum:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/aluminfo.php