Aluminium 4006

Aluminium 4006 Alloy (UNS A94006) – Composition, Properties, and Uses

Aluminum 4006 is a high-magnesium aluminium alloy. It is one of the most commonly used alloys for many manufacturing applications thanks to its excellent physical and mechanical properties, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, machinability, and weldability. Let’s take a closer look at this versatile alloy.

Composition of Aluminum 4006

Aluminum 4006 Alloy (UNS A94006) contains 6% Magnesium (Mg) and 4% Manganese (Mn). It also contains small amounts of Iron (Fe), Silicon (Si), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Titanium (Ti), Zinc (Zn), and Vanadium (V). These elements contribute to the alloy’s tensile strength, hardness, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and weldability. In addition, it has a low melting point, making it suitable for applications such as die casting.

Element Content (%)
Aluminum, Al 97.4 – 98.7
Silicon, Si 0.80 – 1.2
Iron, Fe 0.50 – 0.80
Chromium, Cr ≤ 0.20
Copper, Cu ≤ 0.10
Manganese, Mn ≤ 0.050
Zinc, Zn ≤ 0.050
Magnesium, Mg ≤ 0.010
Remainder (each) ≤ 0.050
Remainder (total) ≤ 0.15

Mechanical Properties

Alloy 4006 has excellent mechanical properties. Its high tensile strength and hardness make it suitable for applications such as automotive parts or components requiring high load-bearing capability. Additionally, it has good fatigue strength, which means it can withstand repeated cycles of stress without failing prematurely. Furthermore, it is highly resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for parts that need continuous contact with other surfaces or elements. Finally, its stiffness ensures that components do not deform under pressure or when subjected to changes in temperature or humidity levels.

Physical Properties

Grade 4006 also possesses excellent physical properties that make it well-suited for various applications such as aerospace components or architectural structures. It has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio meaning that components made from this alloy are lightweight yet durable enough to handle massive loads without deformation or failure. Additionally, its excellent ductility ensures that parts can be easily formed into complex shapes with intricate details without compromising their structural integrity.

Properties Metric Imperial
Density 2.71 g/cm3 0.0979 lb/in3

Equivalent

  • EN 573 AW-AlSiFe
  • ASTM 4006
  • NFA 4006

Corrosion Resistance

Its corrosion resistance also makes it ideal for outdoor use, where exposure to chemicals and moisture will accelerate the degradation process in other metals such as steel or iron.

Heat Resistance

Aluminum 4006 is renowned for its outstanding heat resistance, which allows components made from this material to withstand extreme temperatures without deteriorating over time due to oxidation or thermal expansion/contraction effects. This makes it ideal for applications such as spacecraft parts where temperatures fluctuate significantly between day and night cycles while maintaining structural integrity throughout their service life span.

Heat Treatment

In addition, this alloy can be heat treated in order to further improve its mechanical properties, such as tensile strength or hardness, if required by particular application demands.

Machining

Aluminium 4006 is highly machinable due to its low melting point, making it easy to form into any shape desired by designers/manufacturers with minimal effort required by machine operators/fabricators alike.

Welding

Welding of Aluminum 4006 can be quite a challenge due to its relatively low melting point, but with the right technique and tools, it can yield satisfactory results. Welding processes should be selected carefully, as matching the material properties is essential for success. Heat inputs should be kept at a minimum, as increased temperatures can cause thermal shock and create cracks in the weld. Utilizing various materials for your filler rods, such as pure copper or copper-manganese alloy, will help control heat input while providing greater weld strength. Following these guidelines when welding Aluminium 4006 will ensure an aesthetically pleasing result that has the optimal strength needed for any project.

Conclusion

It is, therefore, no surprise why so many manufacturers choose this material when designing products ranging from aerospace components all the way up through architectural structures down towards automotive parts & beyond! Therefore if you are looking for a reliable metal alloy capable of withstanding extreme temperatures while maintaining structural integrity, then consider using Aluminum 4006! You won’t regret your decision!

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