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 taken
Compared 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.
|
6005
|
General 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
