I need to fabricate some brackets from 6061 aluminum rod. They are 3/8" diameter. Basically I would like to bend a sharp 90 degree angle 4" from one end. Can this alloy simply be clamped in a vise and "bent"? Does it need to be heated to bend or can it be cold worked?
6061 Aluminum working question
- Thread starter Lane
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SPIKER
Elite Member
6061 is sorta brittel when being worked, it can be bent but if you are after a very tight radius bend then you need to warm it with torch. it will take a bend as long as you go slow with the force and keep the torch on it.
Mark M
Mark M
It also depends on how "hard" the alloy is tempered to. If it is the commonly available 6061-T6 fully annealed/aged, it will indeed be brittle.
Once you heat it with the torch, it won't be T6 any more. It may not break while you bend it, but the areas heated with the torch will probably end up being a lot closer to unannealed aluminum ("O"). The bend will likely un-bend or fail if it is a critical point in the aseembly where you are counting on the properties of the 6061-T6.
6061-T6 aluminum would typically have a 40,000 psi yeild strength. 6061-O (unannealed) would be around 8,000 psi. A factor of 5 difference!
Same thing happens when you weld aluminum.
In industrial fabrication situations, it is possible to temper or re-temper the parts after bending/welding, but it is not something you can probably do with any success on your own. It takes hours in annealing ovens cycling through the proper temperature profiles. I think it may also require a hydrogen atmosphere or something for some of the steps.
The most strength in an aluminum assembly will typically be achieved not by heating and bending or welding the parts, but by mechanically fastening them together into the shape you need.
- Rick
Once you heat it with the torch, it won't be T6 any more. It may not break while you bend it, but the areas heated with the torch will probably end up being a lot closer to unannealed aluminum ("O"). The bend will likely un-bend or fail if it is a critical point in the aseembly where you are counting on the properties of the 6061-T6.
6061-T6 aluminum would typically have a 40,000 psi yeild strength. 6061-O (unannealed) would be around 8,000 psi. A factor of 5 difference!
Same thing happens when you weld aluminum.
In industrial fabrication situations, it is possible to temper or re-temper the parts after bending/welding, but it is not something you can probably do with any success on your own. It takes hours in annealing ovens cycling through the proper temperature profiles. I think it may also require a hydrogen atmosphere or something for some of the steps.
The most strength in an aluminum assembly will typically be achieved not by heating and bending or welding the parts, but by mechanically fastening them together into the shape you need.
- Rick
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
If you've ever seen that idiot Jesse James on the Discovery Channel work do his fabricating you've seen him take aluminum and anneal it with a torch. It goes from stiff to hand formable instantly.
(I use the term "idiot" in his case because he's the poster child for the addage about the line between being an idiot and genius being a fine one.)
(I use the term "idiot" in his case because he's the poster child for the addage about the line between being an idiot and genius being a fine one.)
SPIKER
Elite Member
LOPL: I love that monster garage show! lol. ya he does some great metal fab work though...
not fond of his tats but do love his hummor...
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
not fond of his tats but do love his hummor...
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ha! My son and I watch that show.
We laugh when they show some of the stunks we've done, such as one son telling the other (newbie son) "Don't tack next to my fingers!" when the one guy was holding a piece of metal bare handed in place.
Son and I have had the same conversation in our welding projects--cept we had gloves on.
I don't care for all the put downs, but they sure can build some neat stuff.
Ron
We laugh when they show some of the stunks we've done, such as one son telling the other (newbie son) "Don't tack next to my fingers!" when the one guy was holding a piece of metal bare handed in place.
Son and I have had the same conversation in our welding projects--cept we had gloves on.
I don't care for all the put downs, but they sure can build some neat stuff.
Ron
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
I like that show too. But Jesse is the definition of two of my own observations about creativity.
First, "When the good lawd gives out creativity he removes a corresponding amount of common sense." Jesse is very very creative. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Second, "To think out of the box, you have to live out of the box." Jesse defines what it means to come up with ideas that defy accepted thinking. It doesn't matter if it's what a motorcycle should look like. Or what defines a relationship or acceptable behavior.
The show my wife likes to watch with me is American Chopper. She loves to hate Paul while rooting for Pauly. She hasn't got it yet that show is more about television audience appeal than real life. It's so scripted some times one has to cover the jaded eye or gag. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
First, "When the good lawd gives out creativity he removes a corresponding amount of common sense." Jesse is very very creative. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Second, "To think out of the box, you have to live out of the box." Jesse defines what it means to come up with ideas that defy accepted thinking. It doesn't matter if it's what a motorcycle should look like. Or what defines a relationship or acceptable behavior.
The show my wife likes to watch with me is American Chopper. She loves to hate Paul while rooting for Pauly. She hasn't got it yet that show is more about television audience appeal than real life. It's so scripted some times one has to cover the jaded eye or gag. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue"> We laugh when they show some of the stunks we've done, such as one son telling the other (newbie son) "Don't tack next to my fingers!" when the one guy was holding a piece of metal bare handed in place. </font>
You're confusing two shows. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The scene you're referring to took place on American Chopper (not Monster Garage, the show Jesse James hosts) between Paul Jr and his brother Mikey when they were fabricating Mikey's blues brothers themed motorcycle.
You're confusing two shows. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The scene you're referring to took place on American Chopper (not Monster Garage, the show Jesse James hosts) between Paul Jr and his brother Mikey when they were fabricating Mikey's blues brothers themed motorcycle.
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue"> She loves to hate Paul while rooting for Pauly. ...It's so scripted...</font>
Thomas has mentioned that he's actually met the Teutuls and, in real life, they are nothing like they are on the show. I like watching the show, but the 'tension' between Sr and Jr is getting old. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Thomas has mentioned that he's actually met the Teutuls and, in real life, they are nothing like they are on the show. I like watching the show, but the 'tension' between Sr and Jr is getting old. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
SPIKER
Elite Member
Ya I love watching both shows and also monster house is fun sometimes too.
I have a boss who is so much like paul SR it aint funny. there has been mo9re than one time he has thrown stuff across the shop yelling at his son, who no longer works for him btw. lol
anyhow I watch it and crack up laughing cause I've been there done that and the old lady is looking at me like I'm nuts saying that paul sr is an animal and paulie don't deserve it. I think the best is the other son, Mikie. he is hilirous... loved the part when they were making him a bike and they were stiching a piture of paul sr on the seat and mikie said he was gonna fart on it every time he got on! lol...
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a boss who is so much like paul SR it aint funny. there has been mo9re than one time he has thrown stuff across the shop yelling at his son, who no longer works for him btw. lol
anyhow I watch it and crack up laughing cause I've been there done that and the old lady is looking at me like I'm nuts saying that paul sr is an animal and paulie don't deserve it. I think the best is the other son, Mikie. he is hilirous... loved the part when they were making him a bike and they were stiching a piture of paul sr on the seat and mikie said he was gonna fart on it every time he got on! lol...
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
