Metals are an important part of many industries today. In fact, just about every business uses metals for some purpose. When you need metal parts or structural components, you have many options to consider. However, aluminum alloys like 6061 and 7075 offer many advantages over steel. In fact, these alloys are very popular with modern aluminum machining services for several reasons.
Most people choose aluminum over steel because it’s lighter and highly resistant to corrosion. You can cast, form, machine, weld, and this makes it popular for fabrication projects. Also, aluminum is an excellent electrical conductor, and it’s easier to work with because it’s softer than steel. Let’s look at two popular alloys and why they have many uses today.
6061
6061 alloy is aluminum, magnesium, silicon and several other metals. It’s considered a general purpose alloy because it has so many uses. To increase its durability, it goes through a heat treatment process, and this creates a strong alloy. Working with 6061 is easy, and it is routinely formed into many shapes. In fact, many companies use 6061 for creating extruded products like metal rods and bars. Aluminum machining services like 6061 because they can create precision machined parts, easily.
7075
Made mostly from zinc and aluminum, 7075 alloy is one of the strongest aluminum alloys on the market. In fact, its strength is sometimes comparable to steel yet it is much lighter and resists corrosion well. You’ll see 7075 alloys used in large beams instead of steel when corrosion or weight is a major concern. This is especially important for aerospace applications because weight and corrosion are two of the most important factors.
6061 Vs 7075
Most aluminum machining services prefer to work with 7075 alloys. It’s harder and easier to machine than 6061. However, 7075 does not work well for welded applications, but 6061 is commonly welded.
