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This article will discuss the characteristics of aluminum materials, and the advantages and applicable occasions of different series of aluminum.
For the characteristics of aluminum materials, it can be roughly divided into the following 4 points:
1. Lightweight
With a density of about 2.7g/cm³, aluminum is a lightweight metal. This makes parts processed with aluminum materials have great advantages in weight-sensitive fields such as aerospace and automotive.
2. Corrosion resistance
As a passivated metal, aluminum naturally forms a protective oxide film on the surface to effectively resist corrosion. In a humid or corrosive environment, aluminum products can maintain stability and durability for a long time. For example, aluminum curtain wall components in the field of architectural decoration can resist erosion by environmental factors such as acid rain through proper surface treatment.
3. Good cutting performance
The hardness of aluminum is relatively low, and in CNC machining, the cutting tool is subject to less resistance. This makes the machining process smoother and can achieve higher cutting speeds.
For example, in milling, aluminum alloy materials can use higher spindle speeds than steel, thereby improving machining efficiency.
Its good cutting performance is also reflected in the surface quality after machining. Since aluminum materials are cut more smoothly, under appropriate cutting parameters, a machined surface with lower roughness can be obtained, reducing subsequent finishing processes such as grinding.
4. Good thermal conductivity
The thermal conductivity of aluminum is very high, second only to gold, silver, and copper among metals, and three times that of iron. At the same time, the electrical conductivity of aluminum is also second only to silver, copper, and gold. Although the conductivity is only 2/3 of copper, the density is only 1/3 of copper. Therefore, the mass of aluminum wire is only half of that of copper wire to transmit the same amount of electricity.
In CNC machining, the commonly used aluminum materials mainly include various aluminum alloys:
(1) 5 series alloys:
- 5052 alloy: It has good corrosion resistance, weldability, and cold formability, and is suitable for products with low requirements for mold size.
- 5083 alloy: It has high strength and good corrosion resistance, and is often used in situations where higher strength and corrosion resistance are required.
(2) 6 series alloys:
- 6061 alloy: This is one of the most commonly used aluminum alloys, with medium strength and good machinability, suitable for a variety of CNC machining applications. Its strength and corrosion resistance is moderate, and the price is relatively reasonable, so the market volume is large.
- 6082 alloy: It has medium strength, excellent weldability, and thermal conductivity, and is suitable for situations where higher thermal conductivity and weldability are required.
(3) 7 series alloys:
- 7075 alloy: It has high strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance, and is suitable for applications with extremely high strength requirements, such as aerospace and high-performance sports equipment. However, due to its high price and long processing time, the market volume is relatively small.
In general, CNC aluminum parts are in high demand in CNC machining.
CNC machining of aluminum materials has the advantages of high precision, high efficiency, the ability to process complex parts, and high flexibility and customizability, and plays an important role in multiple industrial fields. When choosing a specific aluminum alloy material, factors such as product usage requirements, processing costs, and material availability need to be considered. In addition, different aluminum alloy materials may require different processing parameters and tool selection during CNC machining to ensure the best processing effect and material utilization.
