Aluminum tube

[mielke]

Can anyone suggest a good aluminum alloy to use for a tube. It will be in a moist atmosphere (air on both sides), operating conditions up to 200F and 40psig differential. It needs to be workable enough to be able to roller expand it into a tubesheet and be weldable. ideally 5/8" OD.

 

[mielke]

I have seen references of 6061-T being used in roller expanding, is this advisable for this alloy even if its heat treated?

 

[berkshire]

6061-T4 might be able to expand without splitting.
6061-0 should be soft enough.

Have you looked at 5052 it is a little softer but should still be able to handle 40 PSIG. It is a little more corrosion resistant than 6061.
B.E.

 

[mielke]

thanks berkshire, i think the main thing we're interested now is if it can handle roller expanding into a tube sheet.

 

[btrueblood]

I'd second the 5052, it's much more formable and weldable than 606x.

 

[btrueblood]

Well, ok, 5086 alloy might be a bit easier to find in tube. But again, it is weldable and formable to a much greater degree than the 606x alloys.

 

[ornerynorsk]

3003 ?

 

[berkshire]

mielke,

A source for 5052 tubing 5/8" dia.

http://www.airpartsinc.com/products/fuel-hydraulic-tubing-5052-0-round-aluminum-tubing.htm

B.E.