. aluminum temper

[flynntuna]

I'm going to be buying some aluminum sheet for firewall and other parts around my car. The local metal supplier has different tempers to choose from.
T4, T6, T651, H14, and H 32
Which should I be looking for?

[NAZ]

Depends on what you need. The tempers listed are associated with different alloys. If you need strength and willing to sacrifice some work-ability then go with 6061 T6 or T651, that's a common structural aluminum. 6061 with a T4 hardness trades some strength for more work-ability. For a typical flat firewall that doesn't need a lot of bending on a brake I'd go with 3003 H14 as the 3003 alloy weathers well and the H14 is plenty strong for something that is bulkhead supported by steel tubing. 5052 H32 would also work.

Now if you need to form the aluminum by bending or braking it I'd consider an O temper in 6061 or 3003 alloy as that is much easier to form.

[edwardb]

Factory Five provides 6061. I believe it's the 6061T6 variety. If you want to stay with what's in the kit, use that. I order mine from Aircraft Spruce, and get 6061T6. Can't tell the difference.

In a pinch, I stopped at a local metal supplier for some aluminum sheet. They only had 6061 in full sheets (4 x 10 as I recall) but had some scraps of 5052. Said for my use would be an acceptable alternative and actually would bend a tighter radius without fracturing. Found that to be the case.

[progmgr1]

FWIW: Dan Ruth recommended using 3003 for fabricated parts. Also, it is much less expensive at my local metals store. Keith

[NAZ]

If you want to learn a bit more about aluminum (and other metals), Online Metals has a fair information section on their website. They are also a convenient source for small quantities of metal. Google www.onlinemetals.com

[flynntuna]

Thanks guys