Sheet Metal Strength?

[mapsbam]

Hello

I need to determine the 3003 H-14 aluminum equivalent of 304 stainless steel. For instance, I have a .125" thick 304 S/S sheet metal part. I need to determine the thickness of the aluminum sheet metal that will have the same strength as the existing stainless steel part. It's been a while since I've done this and I'm lost. Can anybody please help me get started? Thanks!

 

[telecomguy]

Lots of unknowns and nowhere to start.

Need to have some idea of the application, geometry, loading, etc.

<tg>

 

[mapsbam]

Just assume 200lbs of tensile strength. Also assume the sheet is being hung vertically with the top mounted and the bottom supporting the load.

 

[Heckler]

If this is a structural bracket you might want to think about 2024-T3 instead of 3003-H14.

Can you post a picture of the bracket installed in its intended use. Is this bracket mounted in an enclosure or a vehicle (plane, or truck)

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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[CoryPad]

Annealed 304 stainless steel has a yield strength of approximately 200 MPa.

3003-H14 aluminium has a yield strength of 145 MPa.

If your Al part needs to have equivalent strength to 3 mm thick 304 stainless steel, then the thickness would need to be t =(200 MPa/145 MPa)[&middot;] 3 mm = 4 mm.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[mapsbam]

Thanks guys.

Cory, I double checked my calcs according to your suggestion and it seems I was doing it correctly. Thanks again.

 

[telecomguy]

Since your application is simple tension it can be approached this way. A complex beam or shear application could yield different results. Also, your definition of same strength might impact the results.

Think about a rubberband and a string. If you incrementally add weights hanging from a string and rubberband and they both break at the same weight, does that mean they were the same strength? Not if your concern was you wanted a small deflection from the rubberband, similar to the string. Then you'd need alot thicker rubberband...

<tg>