There is a range of versatile and excellent aluminum alloys on the market today available to manufacturers. It is important as a manufacturer or user of aluminum alloys to make the proper alloy selection for a particular application. And experienced precision aluminum metals supplier can offer a range of aluminum shapes and alloy options to meet the demands of your project specifications. Let us take a close look at two highly effective aluminum alloys – 6061 and 5052.
Characteristics of 6061 and 5052
With excellent toughness and structural strength, 6061 aluminum offers first-class corrosion resistance and good surface finish characteristics. It has great machinability and weldability. Although 6061 may suffer a reduction in strength after subjection to welding, heat treating the alloy may restore its strength.
As a non-heat treatable aluminum alloy, 5052 has moderate to high strength characteristics in addition to high corrosion resistance and weldability. Besides magnesium, it contains trace amounts of iron, copper, silicone, chromium, zinc, and manganese.
5052 is ideal for applications involving contact with chlorine, wastewater, and saltwater. It offers a smooth surface, high strength to weight ratio, and solid formability as a result of its high modulus of elasticity. It is not a heat treatable alloy.
Applications of 6061 and 5052
Due to its excellent versatility this alloy can be found in various industries and products. It was originally used to manufacture aircraft, but is commonly used as a mature in the automotive and construction industry. Items manufactured from 6061 included bicycles, boats, motorcycles, camera lenses, firearms, flyfishing reels, scuba tanks, and electrical fittings. In the construction industry gangways and docks built in part from 6061 aluminum alloy. Through this alloy is also used to manufacture aluminum cans.
Aluminum alloy 5052 is used extensively in welding applications in addition to applications involving general sheet metal work, architecture, aircraft’s, marine parts, tanks, fuel lines, heat exchangers, appliances, wire and rivets, street lights, and flooring panels. A number of large marine transports and structures utilize 5052 due to its exceptional corrosion resistance against salt spray and seawater.
To gain access to the aluminum products you need for your industrial applications, contact an experienced aluminum metal supplier today.
