generic aluminum material callout
generic aluminum material callout
(OP)
We have some components to make that are extremely low stress in a clean environment and are hidden from view.
I'd like to specify a low cost, machinable, readily available alloy on the drawings.
For many sizes of bar Mcmaster Carr bargain offering is "Multipurpose Aluminum (Alloy 6061)"
Is this description really recognized by industry?
If not, is there a good generic aluminum callout?
thanks,
Dan T
I'd like to specify a low cost, machinable, readily available alloy on the drawings.
For many sizes of bar Mcmaster Carr bargain offering is "Multipurpose Aluminum (Alloy 6061)"
Is this description really recognized by industry?
If not, is there a good generic aluminum callout?
thanks,
Dan T





RE: generic aluminum material callout
I would include this on a drawing:
Material: 6061-XX according to ASTM B ###
Where XX is the appropriate temper (O, T6, whatever)
and ### is 209 (for sheet and plate) or 211 (for bar, rod, wire).
Regards,
Cory
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RE: generic aluminum material callout
In these mundane cases I want to use an "open" spec rather than limit a shop to a particular alloy and temper if it adds procurement time, material expense or fab time and difficulty.
For instance, I hate to default to 6061 (fair machinability) on the drawing when a shop may have 2007,2011, 6020 (excellent machinability) in stock.
Actually some of Master's pricing suggests there are uncertified grades of 6061 are the price leader, and that's a powerful incentive to use it.
I may see if I can create a table or insert a note that lists several acceptable alloys and tempers.
RE: generic aluminum material callout
Regards,
Cory
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: generic aluminum material callout
RE: generic aluminum material callout
For this application I would not hesitate to use any aluminum alloy, at any temper (or pine strapping, if it was reasonably tappable) . When components enforce abominably small screws I spec larger tap drills and lean heavily away from materials with less than excellent machinability. And as I am a cheap bastitch, and usually trying to get a project back on schedule, creating an open material spec that gives a shop broad latitude in material selection (when appropriate) without delaying quote and procurement by burning up time with phone calls, discussions, and debate looks like an easy way to cut 3 days off delivery time.
My strong personal and professional preference is to take full advantage of what's "in stock." When the line is long I order from amongst the prefabbed burgers that MacDonalds has sitting in the warming rack, and would never pass by the closeout racks at Home Depot or Walmart without looking and poking around.
RE: generic aluminum material callout
permissible to use any temper of material
permissible to use the following alternates: 6061 per blah blah, 5052 per, 5056, 7075, etc
just cover the bases
RE: generic aluminum material callout
I'd spec just the 2024, which cuts much better than 6061.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: generic aluminum material callout