Plates.....which Alu?

328gtb

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2004
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5
Location
milano
G'day all,
could anyboudy out there please tell me which is the best aluminum grade to use for the cluster,drop and engine head plates between 60/61T6 and 20/24T3 and,most important, why?
Thank you for stopping and reading
Respectfully
Manuel
 
Manuel,

I asked StarBee Gyros which aluminum they use for a certain part once, and they said that all the aluminum they use is 6061-T6.

Alan
 
You can use either, the 2024 is a little stronger, but it costs more.
 
In my experience 2024 t3 is stronger than 6061 t6 . 6061 is weldable and 2024 isn't. 6061 is less expensive and easier to find. Both are easy to work with.
 
Metal used...

Metal used...

Hello Alan

T6 1/8 aluminum is ideal for all plates. Althought Dr Bensen on his plan
recommends T5 for cheek plates (head plates) it wont hurt to use T6.

Besides, T6 is so much fun to cut and drill. T5 is soft and will produce
burrs around the drill bit when drilled and heavy chips when sawed. T6 wont.

T6 is about 5 time stronger, will not bend unless pressed and only costs a bit more. 2024 T3 is not easily available and costs 3 to 5 times compared to T6.

I think every welding shop has some T6 on hand. Dont forget that it has to be stencilled as T6 or make a drill test before you buy it.

Charles Gagne
Quebec city PQ
Canada
 
Metal to use...

Metal to use...

Sorry Alan, I meant to answer Manuel in my reply on use of metal.
Anyway, have a good day...

Charles
 
2024-T3 has better one-time strength and fatigue strength than 6061-T6. Its corrosion resistance is so poor, though, that you must keep it well protected. It's expensive, too.

Dr. B actually prescribed 5052-H32 for the sheet parts. This material is softer and weaker than either 6061 or 2024. It's easy to bend and holds a shine very well.

6061-T6 is a good compromise between these extremes. It's the standard for gyros these days.
 
In Oz we mostly use 1/4" thick 5083 for our plates. Interested in any comments.

Aussie Paul.:)
 
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