Warbird Information Exchange

Not sure if this goes here. If not, Mr. moderator move it as you see fit!
I have a need for a unique shaped extrusion on a cowling. I know I can mill it from one leg of an extruded aluminum bulb angle. Alloy is not important (it originally was like 2SO). But the web (wall) would really need to be 3/32 (.090") or more. I need only about 12 total feet (provided I don't screw it up) so it could be cut down to a UPSable 72" if need be. I know of Airparts selling some but it is too thin.....
http://www.airpartsinc.com/products/Alu ... 6061T6.htm

Is there some heavier stock out there???

_________________
-Bill
B-17E 41-2595 "Desert Rat" Restoration Team

6000 series aluminum alloys (like 6061T6) are not alloys generally used on aircraft.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... mangle.php

http://www.tubesales.com/markets/Aerospace.aspx

Wheels: Alcoa die K15644 or Bohn die B9648 is about the closest in thickness that I can find. It's a bulbed 1"x3/4" with a thickness of .062" Don't know if those are currently available dies.

I used to have access to a Tiernay catalog and that would have listed virtually every extrusion made and available. Going to have to cast around on the net for a supplier that has a selection.

BDK: Lots of 6061T6, T8, T85 and T851 gets used in fighter production. I've drilled lots of holes and shot lots of fastners through it. Commercial side of the world doesn't use it as much. If I remember the specs correctly, you don't get much of an increase in strength by going to 6061, but you do get better corrosion resistance.

Wher did you get the catalog.... That would be a usefull thing to have around! Thanks

I wish that I had been able to get a copy. When I was working in the sheetmetal shop for an air coargo outfit, we had a copy. It looked like a Grainger catalog it was so thick. You would have to do some searching on the net to find out what neame they are under now. Tiernay was bought out and folded into another company a couple of years ago.

I'm going to need some oddball extrusions for a future project, so I'm doing some reading on extrusion dies and trying to figure out the tonnages required to extrude the shapes. I don't think the dies are going to be that expensive for the patterns that I need, so I'll probably have the dies made and have a run of random billet weights done for each. Because I'll take the entire billet run, it shouldn't be too expensive when going to a small job shop. Get them all done and then do a bulk heat treat to the temper that I will need. I don't have a handle on the cost, as this project is pretty far down the road.

Is ther an address inside of the book or a web address.. I also Want to make some special stuff for experimentals.. Any help would be appreciated.. What cargo airline.. I had my own bussiness and did line work for many

Try contacting TW Metals www.twmetals.com They are one of the largest distributors of aircraft aluminum tubes and shapes. They used to be called Tube Sales.

Tiernay is now part of the Transtar Metals group.

We have been very happy with the selection that they offer (read "if they don't have it, nobody does").

http://www.transtarmetals.com/zcSite/Tr ... space.html

Hope this helps,

Steve

Thanks everybody!!!

Ultimate strength of 6061T6 is about 310 MPa.
Ultimate strength of 2024T4 is about 476 MPa.

2024 is about 50% stronger than 6061 (6061 is 2/3 as strong as 2024).

What fighter uses 6061? Are you sure you aren't thinking of 7075 (about 565 MPa)?

6061 is still used in the design/build of new military a/c. Strength isn't everything when designing parts. Fatigue life must be considered and there is often a trade-off between strength and ductility.

And keep in mind that 6061 is a weldable material and 2024 is not.

Here is the challenge:

Show me evidence of a current manned military aircraft made with 6061 in an airframe application (not interior furnishings or seat rails). Bonus points if you can document welded aluminum in a structural application (friction stir welding excluded).

Fighters demand the highest in performance from their materials. Military and commercial transports have fuel, range and payload to think of- willing to pay thousands of dollars just to save one pound. Why would you leave weight on the table by using a weaker alloy? Nowadays even floor and interior panels are made of carbon fiber.

I personally have worked on a number of WW2 and Korean war vintage former military aircraft and do not recall EVER seeing an ink stamp for 6061.

I don't doubt that....nor likely to see a stamp for 2024 or 7075 or..etc. I believe the "new" 4 digit alloy designation system wasn't adopted until October '53. There could have been some manufacturers using the "new" designators but it was not the standard. Prior it was 1 or 2 digit with a letter and fraction showing temper. IE: 2S0 (what I originally posted that my application was....nearly pure aluminum closest new relative is 1100-0), or 3S1/2H or 17ST etc.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... uminfo.php
(halfway down is the cross over chart)
No matter....extruded and dried doggy poo is waaayyy stronger and more durable than the 2S0 extrusion I am looking to replace!
Thanks all for the leads and to DryMartini...the BAC1515-507 2024-T3511 material will work perfectly. A little cobbing around on the mill and we'll have that Wright all dressed up!