Aluminium Characteristics
Aluminium is a light metal which can be given tremendous strength by alloying. It conducts heat and electricity, reflects light and radiant energy and resists corrosion. It is also non-magnetic, non-toxic, and can be formed by all known metal working processes. Because of these advantages it has thousands of uses.The density of Aluminium is 2.7kg/dm³ or approximately one third the density of Steel
Aluminium alloys have tensile strengths of between 70 and 700N/mm² at low temperatures the strength increases without embrittlement in contrast to most steel alloys
At high temperatures the strength decreases . At constant temperatures over 100°C the structural strength is affected so much special consideration must be takenCompared with other metals Aluminium has a relatively large coefficient of linear expansion. In some fabrications it is necessary to take account of this
Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity . An Aluminium cables weighs half as much as a copper cable with the same conductive capacity
Good malleability which is a necessity for Aluminium Extruding , allows bending and other forming operations in both hot and cold conditions
Aluminium is simple to fabricate with most punching and machining techniques it is also suitable for advanced bonding and welding
As with most other metals Aluminium reacts with oxygen in the air . The oxide layer which is created is very thin , only a fraction of a micron . The oxide layer is compact and provides very strong corrosion protection
Aluminium is non toxic with its compounds found naturally in our food
Physical characteristics of some of our most important construction materials
Al
Fe
Cu
Zn
Nylon (polyamide 6-60)
Delrin (Polyacetal)
Weight volume g/cm³
27
7.9
8.9
7.1
1.1
1.4
Yield Point (YP), °C
658
1540
1083
419
255
175
Heat / Thermal Volume J/kg, °C
900
450
390
390
1680
1470
Heat / Thermal Conductivity W/m, °C
220
75
390
110
0.23
0.23
Linear exp. coeffecience x 10 -6/C
24
12
16
26
70-100
80-90
Electrical conductivity % I.A.C.S
63
16
100
30
-
-
Electrical resistance x 10-9 ohms/m
27.5
105
17
58
-
-
Coeffecience of elasticity, Gpa
70
220
120
93
3
3
The following table outlines some of Aluminium's features and uses.
Alloy
Characteristics
Available Forms
Typical Uses
1200
Commercially pure' Aluminium. Very ductile in extruded condition. Excellent resistance to corrosion.
Simple shapes.
Mouldings, lightly stressed and decorative assemblies in architecture and transport, equipment for chemical, food and brewing industries; heat exchangers.
6063
Suitable for intricate extruded sections of medium strength. Forms well in T4 temper. High corrosion resistance. Good surface finish. Excellent finishing characteristics especially anodising.
All shapes. Tubing, rod.
Architectural members such as glazing bars and window frames. Windscreen sections. Road transport trim.
6005General purpose structural alloy. Good mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and weldability.
Structural shapes. Rod, bar and tubing.
Structural applications of all kinds. Road and rail transport vehicles, cranes, bridges, roof trusses etc. Drive screws, bolts and nuts
6060
Special purpose structural alloy. Good surface finish and corrosion resistance. Good formability in T4 temper. Good weldability. Responds well to surface finishing, especially anodising.
Structural shapes of all kinds. Rod, bar and tubing. Offered in the T5 temper with the same mechanical properties as 6351 T6.
Structural applications where surface finish is important or where thin, intricate shapes are involved. Yacht masts, road transport sections, e.g. Plankflor. Ladder sections.
6063 / 6063A
The recommended alloy for structural purposes with good strength and general corrosion resistance. Good weldability.
Structural shapes. Rod, bar, tubing.
Vehicles, bridges, cranes, roof trusses and all general structural applications.
6082
Free machining alloy of medium strength giving fragmented chips. Not suitable for anodising.
Rod and bar.
Automatic lathe products.
Alloys are available in different tempers each giving different results see table below
0.2% proof stress N/mm²
Tensile strength N/mm²
Elongation % on 50mm
Typical Hardness Brinell
6063 F
-
-
35
T4
70
130
14
55
T5
110
150
7
65
T6
160
195
7
80
6063 T4
75
125
14
T6
160
185
9
6082 T4
120
190
14
65
T6
255
295
7
100
NOMINAL MASS (kg/m2) of Aluminium sheet and plate
THICKNESS
mm
NOMINAL
kg/m2
THICKNESS
mm
NOMINAL
kg/m2
0.5
1.355
3.0
8.130
0.6
1.626
4.0
10.840
0.7
1.897
5.0
13.550
0.8
2.168
6.0
16.260
0.9
2.439
8.0
21.680
1.0
2.710
10.0
27.100
1.2
3.252
12.0
32.520
1.6
4.336
16.0
43.360
2.0
5.420
20.0
54.200
2.5
6.775
25.0
67.750
To calculate NOMINAL mass (kg/m) of extruded Aluminium sections, tube, etc:
(a) Calculate cross-section area (mm2);
(b) Multiply by 0.00271.To calculate FACTOR (i. e. the "difficulty of extrusion" factor):
(a) Calculate the perimeter of the section (Note: for hollows, add outside perimeter and inside perimeter);
(b) Divide this by the nominal kg/m of the section.
METRIC CONVERSION DATA
Length:
1 inch = 25.4mm
1 foot = 0.305m
1 mm = 0.0394 inches
1 m = 3.28 feet
Area:
1 sq inch = 645mm2
1 sq foot = 0.0929m2
1 mm2 = 0.00155 sq inches
1 m2 = 10.8 sq feet
Volume:
1 cubic inch = 16387mm3
1mm3 = 0.000061 cubic inches
Force:
1 pound per foot = 4.45 Newtons
1 Newton = 0.225 pounds per foot
Stress:
1 pound per sq inch = 0.00689MPa
1 MPa = 145 pounds per sq inch
© 2007 H.Snelson Engineers - Aluminium Extrusions Aluminium Fabricators
Nat Lane, Wharton Industrial Estate, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3BS. UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1606 553580 Fax: +44 (0) 1606 861084
