What is the strength of the aluminum tube

Aluminum tubing is one of the most common aluminum building materials, and is required as a material for our buildings, industrial equipment frames, and bridges. However, not all aluminum tubes are suitable for some specific projects because they can break when they are overloaded. Therefore, we need to know more about aluminum tubes to avoid these dangers.

How can we avoid these dangers? We need to know the strength of aluminum tubes and the factors that affect the strength. Only by knowing this can we choose the right aluminum tubes. First of all, the strength of aluminum tubes depends on the specific alloy and toughness used in manufacturing.

 

 

Aluminum grades and its strength:

1. 6061-T6 aluminum
– Tensile strength: approximately 290 MPa (42,000 psi)
– Yield strength: approximately 241 MPa (35,000 psi)
– Elongation: approx. 8-10% 2. 6063-T5 Aluminum

2. 6063-T5 aluminum
– Tensile strength: approx. 186 MPa (27,000 psi) Yield strength: approx. 145 MPa (27,000 psi)
– Yield strength: approx. 145 MPa (21,000 psi)
– Elongation: approx. 8-12% 3. 6063-T52 Aluminum

3. 6063-T52 aluminum
– Tensile strength: approx. 207 MPa (30,000 psi) Yield strength: approx. 145 MPa (21,000 psi)
– Yield strength: approx. 145 MPa (21,000 psi)
– Elongation: approx. 8-12% 3. 6063-T52 Aluminum

 

 

 

 

 

Factors Affecting the Strength of Aluminum Tubing

 

1. Alloy composition:

Different alloys contain varying amounts of elements such as magnesium, silicon, and copper that affect strength and other mechanical properties. If you add a certain amount of silicon can improve the strength of aluminum tubes, and the addition of magnesium can improve the corrosion resistance of aluminum tubes

 

2. Tempering:

The heat treatment process (tempering) used for extruded aluminum tubes can significantly affect strength. Common types of tempering include T5, T6 and T52, with T6 usually being stronger. For example, the strength of 6063-T5 aluminum tubes will be superior to that of the common aluminum alloy 5063 tubes.

 

3. Aluminum tube dimensions:

Wall thickness and cross-sectional area affect the overall strength and load carrying capacity of the tube. The thicker the wall thickness and the larger the cross-sectional area, the greater the strength. If the wall thickness of the aluminum tube is lower than the requirements of the construction project will be fractured or deformed, so the size of the aluminum tube is very important.

 

4. The process used to manufacture the aluminum tubes:

The quality of the extrusion, the welding and any subsequent processing will affect the mechanical properties. High quality aluminum extrusion and careful fabrication maintains the inherent strength of the material. Therefore, finding a quality aluminum tube manufacturer is essential for construction projects – Hugh Aluminum, a professional aluminum extrusion manufacturer with 14 years of experience in designing and manufacturing aluminum tubes.

 

 

 

Practical Considerations

1. Type of load:

Consider whether the tube will be exposed to tensile, compressive, shear or bending loads. Each load type interacts differently with material properties. If an aluminum tube is going to be loaded in a bent condition, its performance will be much reduced. Therefore, we need to consider the complexities of using galvanized steel pipe.

 

2. environmental factors:

Aluminum properties vary with temperature and exposure to corrosive environments may affect long-term durability. Although aluminum’s corrosion resistance exceeds that of iron and wood, rusting can still occur after prolonged exposure to seawater or acidic environments. Therefore, we need to perform regular maintenance to protect aluminum tubes.

 

3. building design and safety:

Engineers typically apply a safety factor to account for uncertainty in material properties. load estimates and potential defects in fabrication. Aluminum tubes are not the optimal solution if the safety design of the building is such that stronger materials are not required, so we should follow the engineer’s design requirements for procurement.

 

 

 

Conclusion

The strength of aluminum square tubing varies by alloy, temper, and size. Typically, aluminum alloys such as 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 provide a good balance of strength, weight and corrosion resistance for a variety of applications.

When selecting aluminum square tubes, we must consider the specific requirements of the project, including load conditions and environmental factors, in order to select the proper alloy and temper.

If you are looking for aluminum tubes or want to purchase quality aluminum tubes in bulk – please contact Hugh Aluminum, as an aluminum extrusion plant with 14 years of experience, we have the ability to design and manufacture all types of aluminum tubes. Our excellent and professional team can help you solve the problem of your project!