5 07, 2018

Marine Applications of 5xxx Series Aluminum Alloys

2018-07-05T21:24:40+00:00July 5th, 2018|

The applications of the 5xxx series aluminum alloys range from shipping containers to their most prolific application, boats. Whether building a recreational boat, commercial ship, or naval vessel, the advantages that the 5xxx series of aluminum alloy have, make it the premier building material for anything marine related. Before we ‘dive’ into the specific advantages of the 5xxx series and it applications, lets break down what aluminum alloys are and what sets the 5xxx series apart.

What is an aluminum alloy and what does it mean when an alloy is considered part of the 5xxx series?

Simply, an aluminum alloy is created by adding elements to pure aluminum, creating a chemical composition that has enhanced properties (typically to increase strength). Once these compositions are created they are assigned a 4-digit number where the first digit signifies a general series that characterizes its main alloying elements. For the 5xxx series, its main agent is magnesium which gives the alloy high strength as well as good weld ability amongst other things.

What are the advantages of 5xxx aluminum alloys?

  • Weight Saving: By using 5xxx aluminum alloy, structures save an average of 55 to 67% of their weight. With comparable strength to mild steel, the alloy’s ability to decrease a structures weight can be hugely beneficial, especially for marine vessels. By saving weight the boats can increase payload, haul more equipment, and lower the amount of power required to power the boat.
  • Weld ability: With weld yield strengths of 100 to 200 MPa, the 5xxx series have good weld ductility without post weld heat treatments.
  • Corrosion resistance: The 5xxx series has lower resistance to corrosion making it ideal for any structure that will be coming in contact with water or chemicals. Through a 10-year seawater test, the tensile strength of the alloy showed reductions of only 2 to 5%.

What are the marine applications of 5xxx Series Aluminum Alloys?

  • Pleasure Boats: Made from both 5xxx and 6xxx series aluminum alloys, pleasure boats utilize the alloys ease of fabrication, corrosion resistance, and cost effectiveness for building their hull or other equipment.
  • Commercial ships: Many passenger vessels utilize the 5xxx series for both superstructures and equipment; ranging from 1000 to 2000 tons per ship. Since for many ocean liners appearance is important, the structures are painted but aluminum allows for a 50% longer time frame till repainting.
  • Naval Vessels: Each year, 6000 tons of aluminum is used on destroyers. Within the past decade, 5456 plate and extrusions have become the standard for the welded deckhouse structures of destroyers. The weight saving ability of the 5xxx series allows the ship to maintain stability with its narrow hull that is needed to reach high speeds. Beyond the main structure, the alloy can also be employed for a variety of equipment including doors, windows, gratings, lockers, bunks, etc.

It is the use of the aluminum alloys that has allowed the marine industry to undergo a technological revolution. While the aluminum may have an initial cost premium, its ability to create lighter ships with lower maintenance costs means that the ship will be a worthwhile investment over the course of its life. And though boats may not be the first thing you think of when discussing the application of an aluminum alloy, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy has transformed the marine industry for the better.

7 03, 2018

Applications of 6xxx Series Aluminum Alloys

2018-05-11T23:04:10+00:00March 7th, 2018|

6xxx series aluminum alloysThe most predominant alloy used for aluminum extrusions is the 6xxx series.

6xxx series aluminum alloys are used across a wide variety of end use applications, including transportation applications with structural requirements to architectural projects with high surface finish requirements.

There is a 6xxx series alloy variant for most extruded profile end uses.

What is it about alloys from this series that make them so fitting for these types of projects? To understand series classification, you must first understand the science of an aluminum alloy.

An alloy is a mixture of metals. In the case of aluminum alloys, the mixture is typically 90-96% aluminum, with the remaining percentage filled by other elements, such as silicon. The beauty of alloys is that the interaction between aluminum and the added elements enhances the properties of aluminum (e.g., an alloy mixture may increase the strength of aluminum).

Alloy mixtures are classified into a series according to their unique characteristics. The qualifying criteria for the 6xxx series of aluminum alloys is the inclusion of magnesium and silicon in the mixture. Magnesium and silicon combine within the mix to form magnesium silicide.

The salient characteristics of 6xxx alloys are their extrudability, strength to withstand heat treatment, and exceptional corrosion resistance. The alloys in this series also have a great surface finish.

6xxx series aluminum alloys

6xxx series aluminum alloys are ideal for architectural projects like bridge construction and repair, and other projects that will be repeatedly exposed to the elements given their resistance to atmospheric corrosion.

The corrosion resistance and surface finish also make 6xxx alloys ideal for framing windows and doors.

6xxx series aluminum alloys

The 6xxx series is used widely for other applications, including consumer goods, piping and tubing, and electrical components.

For more information on these and the other aluminum alloys Taber Extrusions employ, contact us at info@taberextrusions.com or request a quote here: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/.

 

Sources:

http://www.orangealuminum.com/index.php/news/-understanding-6000-series-aluminum-alloys

http://www.aluminum.org/resources/industry-standards/aluminum-alloys-101

https://www.clintonaluminum.com/aluminum-uses-in-construction/

Pic sources:

http://ckyalloy8ekwsway.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/2/9/14292710/5858756.jpg?0

19 09, 2017

Taber Extrusions: A Look Back, a Look Beyond

2017-09-19T16:10:44+00:00September 19th, 2017|

Since 1973, Taber Extrusions LLC has pioneered the extrusion of large, heavy and wide complex shapes to differentiate itself from the typical aluminum extrusion company. Since its inception, the Taber Extrusions brand has been synonymous with innovation, service and quality. All of our extrusions have, and will continue to be engineered, manufactured and tested in the United States. Taber Extrusions maintains its headquarters at the Russellville, Arkansas facility, with a Gulfport, Mississippi facility that includes a regional sales office, aluminum cast house and extrusion operations.

Today, Taber Extrusions continues to expand upon its operations and capabilities to retain the cutting-edge service that the company is known for.

Our recent aluminum cast house renovations now allow us to create aluminum billets in 8”, 9”, 11”, 16”, 20”, and slab sizes. We have unmatched access to the full range of aluminum alloys, without having to go through a middle man. Because Taber controls our billet casting, we have greater flexibility in our casting chemistry.
Learn more about our aluminum cast house renovations here: https://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-cast-house/

We also continue our production of a wide range of aluminum extrusion sizes and shapes. Our aluminum extrusion capabilities can now utilize both hard and soft aluminum alloys, of the kind found in aerospace, marine and military applications. The company’s profile capabilities range from industry standard extrusions to intricate custom designs that meet specific needs. Our standard shape catalog includes rods, hollows, channels, beams, angles, tees, zees, and bars in a wide range of sizes.

Learn more about our updated extrusion capabilities here: https://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-fabrication/

A modern aluminum extrusion company

After all this time, why do our customers continue to return to an aluminum extrusion company like Taber? It’s because we’re dedicated to innovation. We’re dedicated to finding intricate solutions for even the most complex extrusion request. While other extruders continue to focus on standard products and techniques, Taber’s work ethic and attention to the needs of the market allow Taber to create customized, versatile, high quality and market oriented products, that can satisfy a wide range of applications.

Want to get in touch with Taber? Our contact information can be found in the link below.

https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

11 04, 2017

Aluminum Alloys Keep Aircraft in the Sky

2017-07-26T17:49:21+00:00April 11th, 2017|

aluminum alloys

In the modern era, aluminum alloys are the integral element that keeps the aerospace industry on the cutting edge. Metallurgists are constantly seeking and developing new aluminum alloys to increase the speed, strength, and safety of aircraft. Strong alloys are used to protect aircraft from the stresses of flight; light alloys are used for heat and cold resistance and insulation.

Aluminum is naturally strong, lightweight and very workable. These powerful natural properties are enhanced by combining it with elements such as zinc, copper, and silicon to create a variety of aluminum alloys; some strong, some more malleable for complex aluminum shapes. Modern aircraft parts are made primarily from these alloys, and not just the frame- everything from the engine to the nuts and bolts are made from aluminum due to its attractive cost to weight ratio. Below, you will find some of the most common aluminum alloys found in aircraft, and what they’re used for.

 

Alloy 2024

One of the most common of the aluminum alloys, 2024 is primarily alloyed with copper, which gives it incredible strength and high fatigue resistance. This makes it the ideal alloy when a high strength to weight ratio is needed, making it perfect for wings and fuselages which are the parts of the aircraft that undergo the most tension.

Alloy 6061

Containing magnesium and silicon, aluminum alloy 6061 is very corrosive resistant and is known for its great weldability. The premiere alloy in aluminum extrusion, 6061 is also used to create fuselages and wings- but is very rarely found in airliners. Mostly, it’s used in small, personal airplanes.

Alloy 6063

Aluminum alloy 6063 is very similar to alloy 6061. Because of this, it’s the most popular alloy for aluminum extrusion.

Alloy 7075

Because of its light weight and incredible strength that is comparable to most steels, alloy 7075 is used for the main frame of aircraft structures. No other aluminum alloys can match 7075 in fatigue resistance, and its reliability is constantly being worked upon to create faster, safer and cheaper airplanes, and its great anodization quality gives it a great finish. Due to this alloy’s high copper content, it is hard to weld.

 

Sources:

http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/articles/aircraft-aluminum.php

http://metalspecialist.continentalsteel.com/blog/aluminum-in-the-aerospace-industry

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/aluminfo.php

 

For more about Taber and what we can do for your business, get in touch by e-mailing us at  info@taberextrusions.com

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