6061T6 vs 6082 aluminum suppliers?
JesseConant
BannedPosts: 1
Hi there.
Finally, after building me a new workshop, buying a big TIG welder etc. I was ready to start building a boat. Sent out quotations to a number of aluminum suppliers for 5083 plate, and 6061T6 extrusions. 5083 was no problem to obtain, but 6061T6 is not available here in Sweden (or in Europe...)
. I was recommended to choose 6082T6 from 6082 aluminum suppliers as referral instead. It will be used for transverse frames, longitudinal stringers, floor support, gunwales etc. Is this the best choice, regarding strength, welding and corrosion issues?
I know there are some high skilled aluminium welders, and alloy boat builders, here on AAB, so I really could use some opinions in this matter.
Finally, after building me a new workshop, buying a big TIG welder etc. I was ready to start building a boat. Sent out quotations to a number of aluminum suppliers for 5083 plate, and 6061T6 extrusions. 5083 was no problem to obtain, but 6061T6 is not available here in Sweden (or in Europe...)
. I was recommended to choose 6082T6 from 6082 aluminum suppliers as referral instead. It will be used for transverse frames, longitudinal stringers, floor support, gunwales etc. Is this the best choice, regarding strength, welding and corrosion issues?I know there are some high skilled aluminium welders, and alloy boat builders, here on AAB, so I really could use some opinions in this matter.
Comments
The numbers represent various alloys.
5083 is use for plate as it doesn't require certain workability qualities that 6061T6 might require to create other shapes.
I would suspect that you want to deal with several aspects - overall strength, durability, fabrication qualities (such as welding, but the whole spectrum of assembly), and ease of machining to precision parts.
http://core.materials.ac.uk/repository/eaa/talat/1501.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_alloy
If you are going to work with aluminium, you need to get up to speed on all the choices of alloy to avoid problems. The same thing is involved in steel or stainless steel.
Some alloy markets are very big, so easy to buy from -- airplane aluminum, marine aluminum, electrical conductor aluminum, and generics. Each has different goals.