ThePipingMart Blog Grades Aluminum 6105 Alloy (UNS A96105) – Composition, Properties and Uses

Aluminum 6105 Alloy (UNS A96105) – Composition, Properties and Uses

Aluminium 6105

Aluminium 6105 is a medium-strength alloy that is highly resistant to corrosion and heat. 6105 Alloy an alloy frequently used in aerospace, automotive, and marine applications due to its lightweight nature and strength. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the uses of UNS A96105 and how it can be treated, machined, and welded.

6105 Alloy Composition

Element Content (%)
Silicon, Si 0.6-1
Magnesium, Mg 0.45-0.8
Iron, Fe 0.35 max
Chromium, Cr 0.1 max
Copper, Cu 0.1 max
Manganese, Mn 0.1 max
Zinc, Zn 0.1 max
Titanium , Ti 0.1 max
Remainder (each) 0.05 max
Remainder (total) 0.15 max
Aluminum, Al Remainder

6105 Alloy Physical Properties

Properties Metric Imperial
Density 2.69 g/cm³ 0.0972 lb/in³
Melting point 599-649°C 1110-1200°F

6105 Alloy Thermal Properties

Properties Metric Imperial
Thermal expansion co-efficient (@20-100°C/68-212°F) 23.4 µm/m°C 13 µin/in°F
Thermal conductivity 176 W/mK 1220 BTU in/hr.ft².°F

6105 Alloy Equivalent

  • ASTM B221

6105 Alloy Uses

Aluminium 6105 is most commonly used in applications where strength, formability, and corrosion resistance are key factors. This alloy can be found in aircraft components, automotive parts (such as bumpers and body panels), marine equipment (like propellers), and other industrial machinery. It is also often used in applications where weight savings are important, such as racing cars or boats.

Corrosion Resistance

One of the major benefits of Aluminium 6105 is its excellent corrosion resistance. The alloy has good general corrosion resistance compared to other aluminum alloys with similar strength levels. It can also handle most organic acids, such as acetic and citric acid. However, it should not be exposed to strong alkalis or oxidizing conditions for prolonged periods of time as it may suffer from pitting corrosion or stress-corrosion cracking.

Heat Resistance

Aluminium 6105 also offers excellent heat resistance when compared to other aluminium alloys with similar strength levels. It has a melting point between 500°C – 600°C (932°F – 1112°F). The alloy retains its mechanical properties at this temperature range even after long exposure times at high temperatures. This makes it an ideal choice for applications that require high-temperature durabilities, such as turbine blades or combustion chambers.

Heat Treatment

This alloy can be heat treated using several methods, including solution heat treatment (SHT) or artificial ageing (AA). SHT involves heating the alloy above 500°C (932°F) followed by quenching in water or oil to achieve desired properties such as hardness or strength. AA involves heating the alloy at lower temperatures than SHT, then allowing it to cool slowly over time to achieve desired properties such as improved ductility or toughness without sacrificing strength levels too much. Both methods are useful for different applications depending on what characteristics are desired from the parts being treated.

Machining

Machining aluminum 6105 isn’t too difficult, but it does require higher cutting speeds than other aluminium alloys due to its increased strength level and hardness when compared to weaker alloys like 6082 T6 or 6061 T6. The best way to machine this alloy is with carbide tools that have been designed specifically for use with harder materials like titanium or stainless steel since they will offer better wear resistance than regular HSS tools, which may dull quickly when used with harder materials like aluminium 6105. Additionally, using coolants while machining will help reduce tool wear and prolong tool life significantly since they help dissipate heat away from the cutting edge more efficiently than dry machining alone would do.

Welding

Welding aluminium 6105 isn’t too difficult either, but there are some considerations you need to make before beginning any welding project with this particular material. The first thing you need to keep in mind is that you must preheat the material before welding. Otherwise, you risk cracking due to thermal shock. Secondly, you need to use a filler rod made from either a 4043 aluminium filler rod or a 5356 aluminium filler rod, depending on what type of weld process you’re using. Finally, your work needs post heated after welding; otherwise, you risk cracking due to improper cooling rates, so make sure your workpiece gets heated up again once welding has been completed.

Conclusion

As you can see, aluminium 605 is a versatile material that offers many benefits, including excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, low weight, good machinability, easy weldability, and great heat resistance. While it may take some extra effort when machining or welding this material compared to softer materials like 6061 T6 Aluminum, these extra steps will pay off in the end due to increased performance from your finished product. So if your application requires a lightweight yet strong solution, then definitely consider giving aluminium 605 a try!

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