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paperguy
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8

Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 2:54 PM

I'm tempted to buy some sheet aluminum, but the seller doesn't know what grade it is. I need 2024 T-3. Is there some way to tell what the material is?
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lyn
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#1

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 4:25 PM

None that I'm aware of without chemical tests. Maybe Milo will know of a way.
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CNCNuckingfuts
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 51
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#2

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 8:46 PM

I think if you do a Rockwell test on it you can determine the grade of the aluminum using a conversion chart...or test a piece you know is 2024 T6 and compare. I know they can do grade verification with plastics.

ANALYTICAL INFORMATION

Rockwell Hardness Test Scales - Superficial Tester Scales

Regular Rockwell Hardness Testing - Measures the bulk hardness of the material. There are separate scales for ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, and plastics. Common Rockwell hardness scales include A, B,C and F for metals and M and R for polymers.

Superficial Rockwell Hardness Testing - A more surface-sensitive measurement of hardness than regular Rockwell scales. This technique is useful for testing thin samples, samples with hardness gradients at the surface, and small areas. Superficial Rockwell hardness scales are N and T for metals and W, X and Y for nonmetallic materials and soft coatings.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

• Quality control for metal heat treatment
• Incoming material inspection
• Weld evaluations in steels and other alloys
• Grade verification for hard plastics
• Failure analysis
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lyn
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#3

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 9:00 PM

Maybe. I looked on Matweb and it does give numbers for 2024-T3. I assume it gives numbers for other types and grades, too.
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ronseto
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Technical Fields - Technical Writing - New Member Engineering Fields - Marine Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Vancleave, Ms about 30 miles inland from Biloxi and the coast
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Good Answers: 106
#4

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 9:03 PM

Look more closely. Aluminum sheet usually has the alloy designation silk screened on it.

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Milo
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: "Dancing over the abyss."
Posts: 4884
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#5

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 10:06 PM

If you have a known sample to compare to, And are comfortable playing with Acids this method is pretty cheap to set up. If i worked in an aluminum service center I would SO set this up. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5906945/description.html Howdy there LynLynch. Milo

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Ed Weldon
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: I'm outa here
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#6

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/20/2010 11:00 PM

You could help yourself a lot if you would tell us what part of the world you are working in. If the USA then there is a high probability that an unknown aluminum sheet is 5052 H34, by far the most common form for general purpose aluminum sheet metal fabrication. If you have a genuine need for 2024-T3 then go to a source that will commit to supplying you with that alloy. Expect to pay more for that than 5052.

Ed Weldon
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Jaguar
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 940
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#7

Re: Testing Aluminum Sheet

07/21/2010 1:17 PM

You might be able to rent a device like this or take a sample to a metal supplier and if you bring a box of donuts, they might test it for you.

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Users who posted comments:

CNCNuckingfuts (1); Ed Weldon (1); Jaguar (1); lyn (2); Milo (1); ronseto (1)

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