Does anyone here do metal testing?

[khushy]

I need to ascertain the exact metal type on a product we make as the info from the manufacturer is sketchy at best

I need to know is it 6000 or 7000 series aluminium

[Dr Slotter]

I can probably help with this. Drop me a PM.

[khushy]

TOP WORK Dr S - thanks

[PistonGuy66]

If you want to post me a small sample i can test it with my XRF niton gun?

[khushy]

PistonGuy66 said:

If you want to post me a small sample i can test it with my XRF niton gun?

Thanks but the Dr ^^ sorted it out for me lol

[Simpo Two]

What's the difference between 6000 and 7000 series? (and don't say 1,000!)

[yellowjack]

Simpo Two said:

What's the difference between 6000 and 7000 series? (and don't say 1,000!)

In the bicycle industry it's mainly weight and price. 7000 series is lighter and more expensive than 6000 series. I think maybe it's strength and/or flex too. Many mountain bikes use 6061 Aluminium, whilst road ('racing') bikes often use 7005.

Then again, I'm not an engineer or a metallurgist, so I might be squawking out of me 'arris on the subject...

[Simpo Two]

I'm thinking more of 'what's in it?' Aluminium is an element. So from first principle ponderings, you could have 100% Al, or mix it with something else to make an alloy. Or perhaps they are both 100% Al but the crystalline structure differs, like iron.

[Frankthered]

Dr Slotter said:

I can probably help with this. Drop me a PM.

I read that as "Drop me a PMI."

[Dr Slotter]

No problem Khushy! I'll reply to your email too.

The series numbers in aluminium alloys indicate their major alloying element(s);

1xxx - pure aluminium (near enough)
2xxx - copper
3xxx - manganese
4xxx - silicon
5xxx - magnesium
6xxx - silicon and magnesium
7xxx - zinc
8xxx - others

They all variously have different combinations of properties e.g. strength, corrosion, weldability, castability etc. which leads to which you choose (plus cost, of course).

Edited by Dr Slotter on Friday 24th January 21:42

[Simpo Two]

[khushy]

yellowjack said:

In the bicycle industry it's mainly weight and price. 7000 series is lighter and more expensive than 6000 series. I think maybe it's strength and/or flex too. Many mountain bikes use 6061 Aluminium, whilst road ('racing') bikes often use 7005.

Then again, I'm not an engineer or a metallurgist, so I might be squawking out of me 'arris on the subject...

Are you in the cycling industry?

[yellowjack]

khushy said:

yellowjack said:

In the bicycle industry it's mainly weight and price. 7000 series is lighter and more expensive than 6000 series. I think maybe it's strength and/or flex too. Many mountain bikes use 6061 Aluminium, whilst road ('racing') bikes often use 7005.

Then again, I'm not an engineer or a metallurgist, so I might be squawking out of me 'arris on the subject...

Are you in the cycling industry?

Only as a punter. My info was gleaned from buying bikes with frames made from various grades of aluminium. I perhaps ought to have not presented it as fact. You're 'The Kapz Guy' aren't you?