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+--- Thread: verything To Know About Marine-Grade Aluminum and Its Uses (/Thread-verything-To-Know-About-Marine-Grade-Aluminum-and-Its-Uses)
verything To Know About Marine-Grade Aluminum and Its Uses - hmwadeseo - 12-25-2024
Marine vehicles are meant to float (submarines being an exception), so heavy metals are typically not the best choice. Aluminum weighs less than most metals but remains comparable in terms of strength. This combination makes aluminum an ideal choice for marine applications.
Metal and water do not typically mix well due to the effects of corrosion. Corrosion in metal is amplified in salt-water environments. Not only is salt present in seawater, but it is also found in the air, carried by waves and wind and buffeting any sea craft from all directions.
This reality is what sets marine-grade aluminum apart from its counterparts. After all, no one wants the bottom of a boat or ship to corrode away.
Types of Marine-Grade Aluminum
There are several types of aluminum suitable for water environments. Marine-grade aluminum is typically found within the 5000 to 6000 grade range.
If you are considering building a boat for yourself or work in the shipbuilding industry, you have several choices in aluminum grades for your project. For our purposes, we are going to focus on three of the most popular types of aluminum used in marine-related scenarios.
man polishing blue aluminum boat
5052 Aluminum
Aluminum 5052 has excellent resistance to corrosion within marine environments and is frequently used in marine applications. For this particular grade, there are two heat treatments to consider: 5052-H32 and 5052-H34.
5052 Characteristics
• Medium to high strength
• Excellent resistance to corrosion
• Good weldability & brazeability
• Good workability
• Fair machinability
5052 Applications
• Auto parts
• Mechanical parts
• Automobiles
• Aircraft fuel tanks
• Warships
• Submarines
• Containers
• Household appliances
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5083 Aluminum
Aluminum 5083's boasts superior performance in severe and harsh conditions. It is also extremely resistant to seawater environments. This grade has two heat treatments to consider: 5083-H321 and 5083-H116.
5083 Characteristics
• Average workability (cold)
• Poor machinability
• Average weldability (gas)
• Excellent weldability (arc)
• Average workability (cold)
• Excellent weldability (resistance)
• Poor brazeability
• Poor solderability
5083 Applications
• Shipbuilding
• Railway cars
• Vehicles
• Mine skips and cages
• Pressure vessels
6061 Aluminum
Aluminum 6061 is highly adaptable for use in marine grade applications with excellent resistance to corrosion. This grade has three heat treatments: 6061-T6, 6061-T651, and 6061-T6511.
6061 Characteristics
• Medium to high strength
• Good corrosion resistance
• Good weldability & brazeability
• Good workability
• Good machinability
6061 Applications
• Wings and fuselages
• Yachts
• Automotive parts
• Scuba tanks
• Fishing reels
• Aluminum cans for food and beverages
The Ideal Choice for Marine Applications
Aluminum's easy availability and adaptability make it an ideal choice in many industries. For folks in the marine industry, marine-grade aluminum serves as the perfect material to build marine vehicles that are lighter, but with notable benefits. It’s more reliable, less costly, and more resistant to corrosion. Marine transportation would not be where it is today without marine-grade aluminum.