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Aluminium Design and Construction John Dwight

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popular alloys in the series are:<br />

6060 (Mg 0.5, Si 0.4, Fe 0.2) slightly weaker than 6063, <strong>and</strong> even<br />

more extrudable;<br />

6005A (Mg 0.5, Si 0.7) a compromise alloy, lying between the<br />

stronger <strong>and</strong> weaker kinds of 6xxx<br />

material. Somewhat weaker than 6061.<br />

(c) Weldable 7xxx-series alloys<br />

The composition of the weldable (weaker) 7xxx-series alloys is adjusted<br />

to obtain a compromise between strength <strong>and</strong> weld integrity. If such<br />

material is over-alloyed, stress corrosion <strong>and</strong> cracking are likely to occur<br />

at the welds. The alloy 7020 has been carefully designed to give good<br />

strength with reasonable freedom from cracking, <strong>and</strong> an alloy such as<br />

this would be the one normally recommended. The use of a stronger<br />

version, in order to save weight, can only be considered if suitable<br />

precautions are taken during fabrication, following specialist metallurgical<br />

advice. The 7019 alloy, which probably represents the top end of the<br />

practicable strength range for welded construction, has been successfully<br />

used in large tonnages for military bridging.<br />

4.3.4 Minimum bend radius<br />

The bendability of flat aluminium material varies greatly from alloy to<br />

alloy. The problem in fabrication is to know the minimum bend radius (r),<br />

this being a function of the alloy, temper <strong>and</strong> metal thickness (t). Material<br />

st<strong>and</strong>ards list minimum values of r/t, but these are only ‘recommended’<br />

<strong>and</strong> not binding on the supplier. Here we present a rationalized procedure<br />

for obtaining r/t, broadly based on the data given in BSEN.485. It must be<br />

Figure 4.5 Approximate variation of minimum r/t with t for 90° bends in flat material.<br />

Values of the bendability index a are listed in Table 4.6.<br />

Copyright 1999 by Taylor & Francis Group. All Rights Reserved.

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