Arch Metals | Dallas Aluminum Extrusion Company

Arch Metals, the Dallas aluminum extrusion company explains the properties, characteristics, and applications of 6061 aluminum.

The 6061 aluminum alloy is well known for its versatility and wide use in various industries. 6061 aluminum alloy’s alloying elements provide it with unique properties like fair workability, high strength, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and better corrosion resistance. In this article, we will discuss 6061 aluminum alloy composition, attributes, properties, and most usual applications.

6061 Alloy Chemical Composition - Primary alloying elements of 6061 aluminum alloy are 97% aluminum, 0.2% chromium, 0.28% copper, 0.6% silicon, 1.0% magnesium, and a small amount of a few other elements. There is a big list of aluminum alloys, each with their one unique code number, i.e., 1000 series, 6000 series, and 7000 series. Each digit indicates specific properties to describe aluminum alloys' special uniqueness.

6061 aluminum is one of top most popular member of the 6000 series of aluminum alloys. Its first number is 6 which represents major alloying elements (magnesium and silicon). Major alloying elements are those elements that are used in higher portions than other alloying elements. The second digit is for indicating impurity control demanding adequate attention as alloying elements are mixed with the base element - aluminum. The number “0” is to depict that no specific care is required to tighten controls. The last two digits (third and fourth) have just to indicate the alloys present in their series.

Characteristics Of 6061 Aluminum - 6061 aluminum alloy is one of the most highly used aluminum grades across industries. It is used in various forms like angle, bar, sheet, or plate. It has medium to high strength, fair weldability, and machinability making it a versatile alloy. Mostly, it is heat-treated for strength improvement and corrosion resistance. The treatment involves exposing the material to high temperatures under the melting point. Therefore, tampering strengthens the aluminum by decreasing its internal stresses and brittleness.

6061 Aluminum Alloy Applications - 6061 aluminum alloy is known for its diverse use in many different industries. It is remarkably strong, light weight, rust resistant, and cost-effective. Aside from building bicycle frames, cans, industrial parts, electrical fittings, and food containers, here are a few other applications of alloy 6061:

Automotive Parts - There are various applications of the 6061 aluminum alloy in the automotive sector. This alloy‘s excellent strength helps while manufacturing frame components like engine, brake, suspension, vehicle, and drivetrain components. And, its lightweight makes it ideal for body panels. It helps reduce the vehicle’s overall weight while maintaining durability and strength. If you want to purchase this alloy for automotive applications, choose 6061 Aluminum Supplier in Dallas Austin Texas wisely.

Aircraft Components - Aluminum 6061 is considered to be one of the most used materials for aerospace applications as it has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio with corrosion resistance. Manufacturers use this alloy to build aircraft components like bulkheads, fuselages, wings, stabilizers, and other structural components. It is used for both commercial and military aircraft. The durability and flexibility of this alloy make it the most suitable choice for aerospace applications.

Conclusion - Here, we have comprehensively mentioned the details of 6061 aluminum alloy. Now that you understand the aluminum alloy’s composition, properties, and applications, you can decide if it suits your products. To get the top-quality product at the best price, you are suggested to purchase the 6061 Extruded Aluminum Bar from Dallas Aluminum Extrusion Company.