Aluminium sheet thickness
- Thread starter simonjrwinter
- Start date
Simon
If you are looking for a bending grade 3003 or 5052 as Bill said will do the job. You can bend these at almost zero radius, that being the thickness of the sheet. Although I would rather use 6061, it is difficult to find in T-0 (soft), this is because it age hardens, and if your local supplier stocks it it will harden on his rack, causing problems. If you want to use 6061, it mostly comes in T-6 hardness, and if you need to bend it you will need to allow at least 3 times the thickness as your radius...ok on large open bends, but on a chassis with some sharp corners it will most likely crack across the back if you try to bend it too sharply. Bill is right on with the thickness, go with 16 guage (.063) for long spans, and 18 guage (.047) for the short pieces and you should be ok. Also, if you want to with these two guages you can use a flush rivet if you are concerned with looks in a particular area, but generally I prefer the standard button style head which seems to hold better.
Cheers
Phil
If you are looking for a bending grade 3003 or 5052 as Bill said will do the job. You can bend these at almost zero radius, that being the thickness of the sheet. Although I would rather use 6061, it is difficult to find in T-0 (soft), this is because it age hardens, and if your local supplier stocks it it will harden on his rack, causing problems. If you want to use 6061, it mostly comes in T-6 hardness, and if you need to bend it you will need to allow at least 3 times the thickness as your radius...ok on large open bends, but on a chassis with some sharp corners it will most likely crack across the back if you try to bend it too sharply. Bill is right on with the thickness, go with 16 guage (.063) for long spans, and 18 guage (.047) for the short pieces and you should be ok. Also, if you want to with these two guages you can use a flush rivet if you are concerned with looks in a particular area, but generally I prefer the standard button style head which seems to hold better.
Cheers
Phil
Hi Simon, I used .080 for the belley pan, .060 for the cockpit tub work and .040 everywhere else. Some of the .040 is doubled up with flanges where there are holes, for example where suspension arms come through. All of my material is 5052 h32, it you can mess with it a bit "adjusting" bend angles and such without marring it.
Brian
Brian
Brett James-McCall
Moderator
Simon,
I am using 1.2mm 5052, bought from our usual friends down in Rainham.
Brett
I am using 1.2mm 5052, bought from our usual friends down in Rainham.
Brett
