CNC machining is a flexible and affordable production technique that works with a variety of materials. However, the procedure of aluminum machining is more frequently common in the production of goods. Due to its availability in a variety of grades, aluminum works well in the machining process to produce products. The many varieties of aluminum alloys that you may use in a wide range of machining applications. In addition, the aluminum is a very inexpensive and highly machinable material. This covers the manufacture of rigid aircraft parts as well as architectural components.
Indeed, each form of aluminum alloy has certain distinct and special benefits when utilized in machining. When starting a machining project, you have a lot of adaptability because they are available in a variety of possibilities.
It also gets more difficult to choose the optimum aluminum alloy for the purpose. This article makes an effort to quickly compare five of the most popular aluminum alloys in machining. It accomplishes this by introducing aluminum alloys, emphasizing their importance, typical uses, and target industries.
How Do Alloys Work?
When you blend a metal with either other metals or non-metallic elements to form an alloy, aluminum, and other elements. This includes iron, copper, and magnesium are the main components of aluminum alloys. These are the main materials people use in machining.
Charts Of Alloys Used In Aluminum Machining
The composition of aluminum alloys affects machining greatly. As a result, various aluminum alloys are appropriate for various uses. There is a strong influence of some of the aluminum alloys’ characteristics, such as strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. This is one of the most notable factors as well. Therefore, knowing these characteristics can assist a business in determining whether the material is appropriate for a particular part.
Commercially pure aluminum, heat-treatable alloys, and non-heat-treatable alloys are the three categories of common aluminum alloys. Aluminum machining uses commercially pure aluminum less frequently, though machine components do use aluminum 1060. This article also concentrates on five alloys from the latter two classes as a result.
Aluminum 6061-T6
Now that you know why 6061-T6 is one of the most common aluminum alloys on the market. Also, it is one of the standard grades for CNC machining, and it should be clear why. It provides an excellent blend of machinability and strength, as well as normally close tolerances.
It is a very adaptable material that is simple to machine in the CNC machining sector and is referred to as an extruded alloy. This alloy is commonly used by engineers with a variety of applications, including computer parts, bicycle frames, valves, and chassis.
Aluminum 2024-T4
Standard aluminum alloy 2024-T4 in sheets, plates, and extrusions for a variety of applications. This alloy is frequently common in welding electrodes and other applications where high purity is important. Also, strength at high temperatures is necessary for components. The aircraft industry is the main application for 2024-T4.
This kind of alloy is typically common for things like transport vehicle parts, wing tension members, and aircraft fuselage. However, seawater, alkalis, or acids can all damage it. Additionally, because of its high thermal conductivity, it may be heated up to create a material that is incredibly fragile.
Aluminum MIC 6
The ideal alloy to utilize when creating stable, high-tolerance plates is this one. Aluminum MIC 6 belongs to a distinct category since it consists of a particular alloy and casting technique combination. In comparison to other aluminum alloys, this metal is easier to manufacture and has higher strength-to-weight ratios. Moreover, it offers excellent precision, outstanding elasticity, and excellent thermal stability.
This alloy also has a disadvantage. The weaker MIC 6 threads cause early thread failure. As a manufacturer, engineers should bear this restriction in mind while choosing materials.
Aluminum 6082
Tensile strength is greater in aluminum 6082. Additionally, it has great corrosion resistance. For producers seeking additional power at a reasonable cost, 6082 aluminum alloy is a good choice. For general-purpose applications requiring an increase in toughness, aluminum 6082 appears promising. Popular in construction, aluminum 6082 material is preferred for trusses, towers, and bridges. However, product designers should keep in mind that employing aluminum 6082 to create thin walls is challenging.
Conclusion:
We hope that this advice will help you better understand which alloys are suitable for various applications if you’re looking for a CNC machining vendor. Engineers from a variety of sectors and geographical areas might benefit from these evaluations. They use them to inform their material selection decisions for their projects. Product teams may be confident they are selecting a robust, conductive, and corrosion-resistant material if they choose to machine an aluminum component.
The best aluminum alloys for high-performance applications are 2024-T4, 7075-T6, and 6082. On the other hand, 6061 and MIC 6 are perfect to use in the majority of situations where an all-purpose aluminum is sufficient.
Engineers may find it difficult to select the best materials for a particular project because of how adaptable CNC machining is. Uga Aluminum’s team of expert designers and engineers can assist in making material selection considerably simpler for every product team. Due to our many years of technical experience, we provide aluminum alloy parts CNC machining services at affordable prices.
Throughout the whole production process, we are dedicated to assisting every customer with innovation and achieving their desired results. You may get our FREE quotes as well. With the support of our experienced consulting services, teams can be secure in the knowledge that the material they choose will meet all essential criteria. Reach out to us right away, and let’s work together to achieve new things.
