6061 vs 6016 aluminum

[mikenehrkorn]

A friend of mine calls me last night and wants some advice on new board racks. We are looking at the ad and it appears to be made in China with 6016 aluminum. I know nothing about the different grades of aluminum but the type I see mentioned most often is 6061 not 6016. Is the 6016 an inferior product that could break, rust, warp, etc.? In layman's terms how much of a difference is there between these products?

Thanks.

[sandm]

perhaps a typo?

[mikenehrkorn]

haha......that was my first thought too, but I sent any email and they confirmed it is 6016.

[samvq1]

I walked down the hall and talked to our structural engineers. 6016 does exist but when he looked it up there are no specifications listed regarding strength or much of anything else. 6061 is used in aircraft applictions and full specifications were listed. Knowing that I would choose the 6061.

[mikenehrkorn]

Yeah, I've heard 6061 and aircraft aluminum used interchangeability. I would agree that 6061 is the way to go if building an airplane, but this is just a wakeboard rack. So the big question -- does it really make that much difference??

[uniwarking]

The first two digits in the designation are the most important. All 6000 Al alloys contain magnesium and silicon in near proportion. All 6000's are heat treatable. The mechanical properties are ultimately determined by the heat treatment applied.

6061 is the most versatile and readily available... But honestly I doubt there is a noticeable difference in a wake rack application.


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[mikenehrkorn]

Thanks, that is the answer that we were hoping for...

I just noticed in the description of the product that it also says "surface treament is Anodize finish" -- would this be a good thing? Or would that be a sign of a cheap product?

[rbeckner27]

Correct about the first 2 digits the second 2 refer to the silicon to magnesium proportion and it's ability to form magnesium silicate
I can't recall what the minute differences mean to the end user as I deal with steel but I will look it up in my school books in a bit

[rbeckner27]

The 6016 might not have as much strength as the 6061 but that is very dependent on the hardening and temper treatments. To be totally honest I do not think in this application you as the end user with the known intended use will ever be able to tell the difference. In fact one piece of my literature suggests that the 6016 may have an ever so slightly better corrosion resistance.

[mikenehrkorn]

Thanks for all the info guys, I knew you would come through with all the answers. And that will definitely give him some piece of mind in his buying decision.