One essential metal for tubing is aluminium. At times, you’ll need to choose between alloys for your projects. The decision usually comes down to the particular features of the materials. Aluminium 2014 and 6061 are two leading picks. Each comes with its own distinct attributes. The real question is how well they compare to each other. We’re going to look at several areas to see how they perform. Then, if you need things like tube swaging, you can rely on us.
Composition
Aluminium 6061 and 2014 are both revered for their unique applications and features. These distinctions are mainly because of their compositions. The composition of the alloys affects the final properties in many important ways.
The higher copper content in 2014 means you get superior strength and hardness. So, it is the best choice of the two for applications that require these attributes. In comparison, the fact 6061 has less copper in the alloy means it has moderate strength.
Another crucial difference in the composition is 6061 has higher levels of silicon and magnesium. So, its corrosion resistance is better than what you’d find in 2014. The lower copper content also minimises 6061’s vulnerability to corrosive elements. You can use it in outdoor and marine applications.
Then we have workability and weldability. The higher magnesium and silicon and lower copper content in 6061 improve both these characteristics. So, it is the favoured choice for fabrication and structural applications where you need welding. It also helps if you are thinking about services like tube swaging. Despite 2014 being stronger, it’s more difficult to weld as a result of the copper content.
Applications
The distinct features of both alloys determine their particular applications. Aluminium 2014 has high hardness and strength. So, people favour it for applications where there is higher stress, including structural and aerospace.
Aluminium 6061 is really impressive for the combination of weldability, corrosion resistance, and strength. It is therefore a top option for general fabrication as well as products to use in marine environments.
Key details
Next, we’re going to look at some more direct comparisons between the two.
We’ll begin with ductility, the capacity of a material to undergo massive plastic deformation before rupture. Aluminium 2014 comes with lower ductility compared to 6061. This restricts its use in endeavours where you need extensive deformation. Aluminium 6061 comes with superior ductility. So, you can use it for shaping and forming applications, including making tubing and tube swaging.
Next is yield and tensile strength. Both are key factors when comparing the mechanical properties of these alloys. Aluminium 2014 showcases a higher tensile strength at 400 MPa. The yield strength is also higher, 360 MPa versus 276 MPa.
Keeping with the theme of strength, there’s also key differences with fatigue and shear strength. The 2014 alloy possesses greater fatigue strength, ranging from 90 to 160 MPa compared to the 58 to 110 MPa you get with 6061. Shear strength ranges from 130 to 290 MPa, higher than 6061’s 84 to 210 MPa.
Then there’s hardness, which influences an alloy’s durability and wear resistance. Aluminium 2014 is famous for this, making it ideal for projects needing robust materials. Aluminium 6061 on the other hand has moderate hardness.
Talk to us about tube swaging
At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we use techniques like bending and swaging to produce versatile products. There are many advantages to this type of work. For instance, there are short cycle times that get you the end product quickly and efficiently. In addition, we’ll ensure the quality.
So, if you need our help with tube swaging or anything else for aluminium or other types of tubing, feel free to get in touch. We can cater for all kinds of applications, including aerospace and more.