2017-T4 Substitute for 6061-T6

Greg Mitchell

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2004
Messages
1,959
Location
Australia
Aircraft
Butterfly Monarch 582
Total Flight Time
200 hrs
G'Day Gents,

Research excercise. Anyone have any comments regarding said substitution of alloy. I have spec sheets on both and they are very similar. It is my understanding that 6061-T6 is actually the least expensive and most versatile of the heat treatable aluminium alloys.

We are talking the possibility of substituting 2017-T4 for 6061-T6 for possible use in manufacture of rotor heads, head and keel plates, mast, keel and all other tube sections on gyro's. The web site I listed below, figures and the data is similar and some have suggested the use of 2017-T4 as a superior product for the application.

I have also been told that 6061-T6 is essentially marine grade adopted as aircraft grade for use in same. Anyone shed any light on this

I seek guidance and advice with respect to this info.

Any info would be appreciated.

www.matweb.com

Like I said research question, based on local availability of product and suitability for said uses.

Cheers,

Mitch.
 
In my experience (non aircraft) the 2000 series aluminum is very good. I've used the 2024 T-3 which is easier for me to find. It is not however weldable which is one of the big plusses of 6061, easy weldability. I'm not sure about the relative corrosion resistance.
 
Thanks John,
2017-T4 is likely more susceptible to corrosion. What were you turning out John?
Mitch.
 
If you can do a search of the forum. Chuck Beaty had a good comparison between the two. Sorry, I don't remember all the details.
 
Chuck,
I did some searching and only came up with zeeoo's question on 2018 usage, some detail from Doug Riley, nothing from Chuck B. Would be good to get some advice from these guys.

Thanks,

Mitch.
 
Mitch, I scanned the attached stuff from the Alcoa Structural Handbook but I’m not very proud of the result. Bit bloat combined with poor legibility.
 

Attachments

Chuck,
Thanks for lookin in. Mate can't read your attachment. I signed on to matweb which gives me comparison data, Spruce catalogue gives general usage and some detail and have people in Oz giving feed back.

What do you think about its use?

Anodising will help with corrosion? (rotor head parts and plates)

Two pack epoxy paint? (rather than powder coating, hiding corrosion)

From a technical/engineering perspective and given history of safe opps with 6061-T6, I'd appreciate your thoughts on this Chuck and anyone else.

Cheers,

Mitch.
 
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