How strong is aluminum?

This topic is right up my alley cuz i work at an aluminum extrusion plant .We use mostly 6063 for cosmetic parts and 6061 T5 or T6 for structual parts.We make bumpers for buses and frame crossmembers for Peterbuilts out of 6061 T6 so you tell me how strong is it ? As was pointed out earlier the "T" stands for the temper or heat treat or artifical age process .

 

Obviously aluminium is a great material. However, for building rods it can be troublesome making quality welds that would also have structural integrity. Sometimes it is tricky to fab. One has to have the skill and experience to weld aluminum. Aluminum types vary greatly, and their weld characteristics can vary. Steel in general is easier to weld and be strong-not so easy for us (me) to screw it up! For anything in steering which experiences torques/moments I would stay away from aluminum IN GENERAL. My

 

Well Said. AL is great, but if you have to weld it, you better know what you are doing. Your average Joe mig squirter can get a pretty good weld w/ steel, but it can be hard to get solid welds in aluminum.

I used to weld aluminum pressure vessels... and the other guys in the shop said they could always tell what metal I was welding from the other room.

Steel - Silent, work just got done.
Copper - Mild swearing, yelling, only a few flying parts.
AL - %$)(*#$%^@#*&@$%(#$%(*&#$%&*^#$%#$%

Would I build a frame out of AL? yes.

 

Aluminum has it's place. So does steel. One thing that nobody has brought up is the fact that aluminum will survive a lot more stress cycles than steel. Check out the aluminum front axles made by several companies.

 

I think you have that backwards. A steel part can be engineered to have an infinite fatigue life . Aluminum cannot. DAVE

 

6061 T6 Aluminum
Modulus of Elasticity 10,000 ksi

7075 T6 Aluminum
Modulus of Elasticity 10,400 ksi

1010 steel
Modulus of Elasticity 29,000 ksi

1045 steel
Modulus of Elasticity 29,700 ksi

 

MATWEB.COM

your one source for material specs.

 

Ever see Aluminum springs ?

Compare one of those aluminum axles to a steel axle,side by side.
You'll find the Aluminum axle is a little bulkier,to get the strength.

 

hell man... luminum con rods MAKE great column drops...

 

Look at it this way....If your in a wreck and the column drop breaks, your'e probably going to be in another world anyway. So does it really matter?
Aluminum is plenty good for a column drop.
Pat

 

every modern midget/sprint car uses aluminum steering arms, radius rods, drag link, and pitman arm, not to mentiom aluminum rod ends, torsion bar arms and stops, alumimum dzus ****ons etc etc etc

 

i'm seeing a LOT of aluminum on late model cars/trucks, especially in the front end (cradles,steering shafts/u-joints, knuckles,etc.)

 

This thread actually cracks me up.


We are talking about a column drop here. I have seen 2x4's drilled and attached under the dash. I mean its a column drop.

As far as aluminum vs steel. They each have their place. I prefer aluminum whereever I can. But I like lightweight.

As far as welding aluminum vs. steel. I gas weld like a mofo, and haven't had any trouble welding AL. Yeah its not MIG work where you point and pull but come on!

I really can't believe people are arguing the strengths of aluminum.


Thank you Unkl Ian for posting the yields.

7075 T6 Aluminum
Yield strength 67,000 psi
Elongation at break 11%

1045 steel
yield strength 73,200 psi
Elongation at break 12%

Like I said I run my links on my suspension with 2" 7075.

That said, I'm 100% sure an AL column drop will be sufficent. And at that you should find a used AL connecting rod off a race motor and use that. polsihed it woudl look trick.

You guys crack me up.

 

I just did a test, two different materials and can positively state
Alum. is stronger than raisin bread.
I wouldn't use raisin bread for the drop.

 

I'm sure there is someone here
who will argue about your conclusion.

 

What if you toasted it?

 

i use 7075-0 thru t6, 6061-0 thru t6, and 5052 everyday at work making parts, and panels. its good enough for navy fighter jets, it will work for your column drop.

 

the raisins would create weak spots within the structure. i think plain old whitebread would have more shear strength, not to mention being more traditional!

 

Okay, time to lay off the bull testicles. A loaded question is one that intentionally influences a specific or desired response. The original question was simply too general, but wasn't intentionally asking for smart-***ed replies.

You are really cool, and know alot of really important things, Tman. I play with toys and know nothing. Happy?

 

Here's the funniest thing.... people don't seem to realize that a BILLET is a raw BLOCk of material.

 

Yup jamal, steel OR aluminum

 

So get a a loaf of raisin bread, a drill press, and a band saw...Viola! Billet Column drop!

 

But they know "Billet" is evil.

 

toasting your bread after processing would bring the grain structure back to normal for optimum strength. now just dont drive while you are hungry....

 

MidWest Nowledge Reprezent! haha

 

Wow what answers you got with that simple question. Just make the drop out of aluminum and don't worry about it. It will be strong enough for that with no sweat. Thanks, BOBBY FORD

 

How strong is aluminum?

This is a 5 page question if I ever saw one, maybe more.

 

Keep posting, we will get there.

 

I prefer pumpernickel....