Re: [ATM] Types of aluminum

["Bob May" <bobmay@nethere.com>]

The problems with aluminum are more that there are soft varieties.  Some of
it is really difficult to machine as it gunks up the tools unless you use a
lot of machining lubricant.  It also happens that the gunky stuff also tends
to be the softer, more easily bent stuff.  The color of the bad stuff
generally tends to be the more whitish frosty surface stuff.
The stuff that has more of a bluish tint to it are the better kinds of the
stuff.
I used to do plastic injection molds with a friend for fun and when he
shifted from brass to aluminum, he really learned fast how to find the
better aluminum.  6061 is a common type and is a nicely machinable and
sturdy type of aluminum.  Go to one of the metal vendors and take a look at
all of the various numbers of the stuff and you will get a good idea of the
machining characteristics of the stuff.
Bob May
http://nav.to/bobmay
bobmay@nethere.com
NEW! http://bobmay.astronomy.net


_______________________________________________
ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/