5052 vs 6061 aluminum for chassis

[pwfallon]

Hi All,

I am in the process of getting the aluminum stock required to build an enclosure / chassis for my 4x1 project. Both 5052 and 6061 aluminum is available in the thickness (.062") that I need. Is one of these preferred in terms of ease of forming, etc or does it not make a rat's butt difference in the context of what I am going to use it for.??..

PW Fallon

[WA2AAE]

If you go to the McMaster-Carr website, www.mcmaster.com, and go to catalog page 3416, it describes the characteristics of the different aluminum alloys. It shows that 5052 is better for forming and working.

73, Harv

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I always found 5052 much better and easier for making chassis pieces, brackets, and material that needs forming.

For data:
5052:
http://www.metalsuppliersonline.com/research/property/metals/472.asp

6061:
http://www.suppliersonline.com/propertypages/6061.asp

[K1JJ]

 

[W2JBL]

Hi Joe! at Derecktor's and Minneford's we built ocean racer hulls with 6061T6. M16/M4 carbine lower receivers are 6061T6 too- it's tough stuff! 5052 is a much better choice if you are going to work the metal, bends won't crystalize etc. and welds better if you are a novice at Heliarc. your Greenlee chassis punches will deal with it better as well.

[WA1GFZ]

T6 will crack if you bend it. You would have to use angle aluminum on th ecorners.
T6 is better suited for antenna elements. fc

[k3zrf]

I used a lot of 6061 for front panels...easily dichromated (anodized) for best appearance.

Softer grades were best suited for forming.

[K1KFI]

Wow,


You can afford to buy aluminum? My sources are crusty old buzzards who have chosen to spend their golden years on rice boxes and the town metals dump..I went to Home Despot to get some lincane for my 1600 volt power supply the other day and it was 26 bucks for a 3x3 foot sheet.....No Way! But yes, softer is better for working. Oh, to have a metal shop with a hydraulic cutter and bending jigs and such!

I've been recycling since I pulled my first short wave receiver out of a trash pile one night while walking the dog as a 10 year old...I guess Cousin Brucie and WABC weren't cutting it on my 6 transistor radio. The warm audio on that first superhet did tho....

Regards,

Cliff