5000 and 6000 Series Aluminum for Building Cruise Vessels
Aluminum is an advanced material for building ships and marine engineering structural parts. Based on the excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys, aluminum cruise vessels have the advantages of fast speed, long service life, high load capacity, and low maintenance costs.
The most suitable aluminum alloys for use in corrosion-prone environments are 5000, which is not heat treatable, and 6000 series aluminium, which is heat treatable. The most traditional and commonly used alloys in shipbuilding are 5083, 5052, 5383 and 5086 aluminum sheets and, 6061 and 6082 aluminum profiles. What are their differences between 6000 and 5000 aluminum alloys?
1. Different chemical compositions
The alloy composition of the 5xxx aluminum alloys is mainly magnesium, with a magnesium content of 3% to 5%; while the alloy composition of the 6 series is magnesium and silicon. Magnesium is the element that increases corrosion resistance and silicon is the element that increases strength.
The 5 series aluminum alloy has a high magnesium content, so it has strong corrosion resistance, and its hardness is relatively low, so its ductility is very good. 6 series aluminum alloy has higher hardness, relatively strong corrosion resistance, and good plasticity.
The 5 series aluminum alloy is lighter than the 6 series, so it can be used in the fields of aircraft and ships, such as aircraft skins, fuel tank parts, bulletproof decks, etc.; while the 6 series aluminum profiles have better mechanical properties and are mainly used for support in the industrial and construction fields.
2. Different uses
5 series aluminum alloys are mainly used as aluminum sheets. 052 aluminum sheet is often used to make yachts in fresh water. Due to its good welding performance, it is also used to weld structural parts; while 6 series aluminum alloy is mainly used as aluminum profiles because of its good deformability, mainly hot extruded profiles and die castings.
6xxx aluminum alloys are also used to make aluminum sheets like 6006, 6010 and 6061. 5 series aluminum alloys are also used to make profiles. For example, 5050 aluminum alloy can be made into pipes and special shapes.
3. Different physical properties
The 5 series aluminum alloy like Al 5052 is characterized by low density, high tensile strength and high elongation; while the 6 series aluminum alloy is characterized by medium strength, good plasticity and excellent corrosion resistance. In particular, it has no tendency to stress corrosion cracking, has excellent weldability, corrosion resistance and cold workability. It is a promising alloy with a wide range of applications.
4.Different processing techniques
The treatment processes of 5 series and 6 series are mainly different in heat treatment. The 5 series cannot be heat treated, while the 6 series can be heat treated.
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