Aluminum alloys: properties and processing of metals

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Aluminum is a very demanded metal both in construction and in other spheres of human activity. However, it is rarely used in its pure form. The most commonly used aluminum alloys.

All alloys can be divided into casting and wrought. The first type is made by melting, and for the manufacture of alloys of the second type, pressure is applied. Cast aluminum alloys are often represented by a combination of aluminum with silicon. Such metals are durable, have high resistance to corrosion, and are well cut. As for wrought alloys, duralumin, which contains aluminum, magnesium and copper, is well known among them. Wire, profile, sheets, tape are made from this metal. You can process the presented alloy in any way.

Properties of aluminum alloys can be divided into physical, mechanical and chemical. In terms of physical properties, the alloys have almost the same density as aluminum itself. They have high strength, which can compete with titanium and steel. But it must be taken into account that the temperaturemelting alloys is small (it is about 200 degrees). It is worth noting that aluminum alloys have good thermal conductivity, conduct electricity remarkably well, are well welded and resistant to corrosion, although these properties are much higher for pure aluminum.

As for the mechanical properties, they become higher with the increase in the degree of alloying. The presented aluminum alloys are used for the construction of structures of low and medium load. It is worth noting that the properties of alloys change significantly after heating to a certain temperature, which determines the use.

Since alloys must be processed before use, and elements of alloys must be welded to create certain structures, you should pay attention to the fact that welding of aluminum alloys has certain features. The process has some difficulties:

- alloys are difficult to weld due to the oxide film that appears on the surface of the metal (it often contaminates the seam, which prevents the normal fusion of the edges of the metal);

- the oxide film and the alloy itself have different melting points, and the difference can be significant;

- since the casting expansion of aluminum is quite high, the metal can be seriously deformed after welding;

- alloys have high fluidity, therefore, when welding, flows may appear on the metal.

For welding of alloys, carbon ormetal electrodes. The process is carried out using direct current of reverse polarity. Before starting work, the surface to be welded must be treated with acetone or gasoline and cleaned with a steel brush. In order for welding to take place more efficiently, it is necessary to heat the parts to be welded to a certain temperature (200 degrees). To get a good seam after welding, you should cool it slowly.