Aluminum is mass-produced for a variety of industrial, commercial and residential applications. It is a versatile metal that is well suited for seemingly countless purposes. Its versatility and adaptability also means that choosing the right aluminum alloy for your specific application can be a challenge. Manufacturers, product developers and other business entities must properly plan and evaluate their objectives in order to select the best alloy option for a particular product, project, system or application. Two aluminum alloys commonly selected for various applications are 2024 aluminum sheet and 6061 aluminum sheet. In this blog, we discuss each aluminum alloy and compare the similarities and differences between the two. At GNEE, we align ourselves with only the best aluminum mills to ensure that we only provide you with quality aluminum alloy products. By sourcing only from the top steel mills, we are able to achieve precision serration tolerances as high as ±.005 inches and provide machining accuracy close to 32 RMS.
Similar Alloys
Both 2024 and 6061 aluminum sheet share similar properties, such as high strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance, which have made them so popular over the last century. Regardless, each has its own unique set of properties due to the primary alloying elements. When comparing 6061 aluminum sheet to 2024 aluminum sheet, it is important to carefully consider the chemical and physical properties of each alloy to ensure that you choose the best material for your application.
Unique Composition of 2024 Aluminum Sheet and 6061 Aluminum Sheet
2024 aluminum sheet and 6061 aluminum plate alloys are popular choices in a variety of industries. However, 2024 aluminum sheet is often chosen for aerospace applications, while 6061 aluminum sheet is used as an everyday general-purpose metal. Understanding the composition of these alloys will explain why each of their uses is so unique. Like the other alloys in the 2000 series, 2024 aluminum sheet is primarily alloyed with copper, which makes it extremely resistant to metal fatigue. In other words, the metal maintains its strength and performance under repeated stress. In addition to copper, other elements such as magnesium, manganese and small amounts of iron, chromium, silicon, titanium and/or zinc are used in the production of this alloy. 6061 aluminum sheet is alloyed primarily by the addition of silicon and magnesium. Other metal elements of the alloy in ascending order of quantity include titanium, manganese, zinc, chromium, copper and iron. Alloy 6061 aluminum plate sets the industry standard for economical, lightweight, medium to high strength materials. The addition of chromium to 6061 gives the alloy high corrosion resistance compared to other alloys.
Comparative Properties of 2024 Aluminum Sheet and 6061 Aluminum Sheet
At GNEE, our aluminum inventory includes 2024-T351, which is a sheet product. Alloying and temper marking 2024-T351 grades B for workability, arc weldability, and resistance to spotting and seaming. it scores C for gas welding, cold workability, and stress corrosion (cracking). 2024 has a general resistance corrosion grade of D. It has a high resistance to corrosion. In addition to structural components for aircraft, this material is often used in truck wheels and screw machine products. 6061 aluminum plate or 6061-T651 scores A for both stress corrosion (cracking) and resistance to spotting and seaming. the alloy and temper lists a cold workability score of C. However, it scores B for general corrosion resistance, machinability, brazing, and gas and arc weldability. With such reliable ratings, it's no wonder why 6061 aluminum plate is considered a versatile alloy for many machinists. It is commonly used in heavy structures, truck and marine applications, streetcars, furniture and piping where good corrosion resistance is required.
