2024 vs 6061 Aluminum: Which One is Better?
Aluminum is a metal that offers various grades, and each grade has a different composition and properties. The two most common ones are 2024 and 6061.
If you are planning to make a choice between these two grades, read the guide below. It features a detailed comparison of 2024 vs 6061 aluminum. So, let's read.
What’s 2024 Aluminum Alloy, and what are the Pros and Cons?
2024 aluminum alloy is known to have high strength and hence is used in applications that need structural integrity and less weight.
2024 aluminum can pass through heat treatments and is also highly machinable. The primary element it has in its composition is copper, which adds strength to it.
Pros of 2024 Aluminum
- 2024 aluminum is the strongest of all aluminum alloys and can serve structural applications.
- It has high fatigue resistance and can handle cyclic loading, offering suitability for automobile and aerospace applications.
- Aluminum 2024 has a low weight, and therefore, in applications where weight limitations exist, it proves to be a suitable choice.
- It is highly machinable and offers excellent formability when it comes to bending it for components.
Cons of 2024 Aluminum
- Aluminum 2024 has poor corrosion resistance and, therefore, cannot be used in outdoor applications or in harsh environments.
- It can lose its strength when welded and may require post-welding treatments.
- It is not suitable for anodization.
- When exposed to high temperatures, aluminum 2024 can lose its strength.
What’s 6061 Aluminum Alloy, and what are the Pros and Cons?
6061 aluminum alloy is highly versatile and is composed of silicon and magnesium. It offers corrosion resistance strength and is easy to work with.
Pros of 6061 Aluminum
- 6061 aluminum has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
- It has seamless corrosion resistance and is suitable for use in harsh environments.
- It is easy to weld and can be selected for components that need welded assembly.
- It has high formability and machinability and can offer precision manufacturing.
Cons of 6061 Aluminum
- The strength of aluminum 6061 is not as strong as that of other kinds of aluminum.
- It loses its strength when exposed to high temperatures.
- It has limited formability and may end up being hard to bend.
What is the Chemical Composition of Both Aluminum Alloys?
The chemical composition of the two Aluminiumlegierungen is given below:
2024
- Copper: 4.5%
- Magnesium: 1.3 to 1.5%
- Manganese: 0.5 to 0.6%
- Silicon, Lead, Chromium, and Nickel: 0.5%
6061
- Aluminum: 96.85%
- Iron: 0.6%
- Silicon: 0.7%
- Copper: 0.30%
- Chromium: 0.25%
- Manganese: 0.05%
- Titanium: 0.10%
What are the Specifications of Both Aluminum Alloys?
Aluminium 2024
The specifications of Aluminum 2024 are as follows:
Aluminum 2024 T3: The T3 tempering adds smoothness and machinability to the aluminum and ensures that the strength remains intact.
It offers a tensile strength of 483MPa and a yield strength of 345 MPa. It is commonly used in hydraulic valves, missile parts, and computers.
Aluminum 2024 T4: The T4 tempering is carried out in two ways: it adds to the tensile strength, which is 469 MPa, and the yield strength 324 MPa. The strength of this aluminum alloy is lesser than T3 but has high elongation.
Aluminium 6061
Aluminum 6061 T651 is tempered in three stages. The first is to heat treat the alloy and then give it a stress-relieving treatment; the alloy is aged artificially.
In the stage where it is stress relieved, the stretching depends on the product, such as if a plate, forging, or sheet is needed. The tensile strength is 310 MPa, and the yield strength is 276 MPa.
Differences in Characteristics of 2024 and 6061 Aluminum Alloy
The differences between the characteristics of 2024 aluminum and 6061 aluminum are as follows:
Streckgrenze
The yield strength of 6061 is 276 MPa, which is less than 2024, which is 324 MPa.
Wärmeleitfähigkeit
The thermal conductivity of 6061 aluminum is 154 W/m-K, compared to 121 W/m-K in 2024. 6061 has a higher heat capacity and melting point than 2024.
Elektrischer spezifischer Widerstand
2024 aluminum offers high resistivity, which is 5.8 micron-cm. 6061 has low resistivity, which is 6.3 micron-cm.
Elastizität
2024 aluminum has high elasticity compared to 6061, and when extruded or bent, it doesn't crack and can withstand more stress.
Temperaturbeständigkeit
6061 aluminum offers high-temperature resistance. 2024 has low-temperature resistance and is not suitable for exposure to heat treatments.
Härte
6061 and 2024 are both highly ductile and can handle a small amount of force.
However, the 6061 has low hardness compared to 2024 and is highly machinable. The high hardness of 2024 makes it suitable for multiple uses, such as in aircraft.
Schweißen
Aluminum 6061 has high weldability and can be welded using various methods. Whereas the weldability of 2024 is poor.
Korrosionsbeständigkeit
Aluminum 6061 has high corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, 2024 ends up corroding when exposed to harsh environments.
Eloxieren
6061 aluminum offers enhanced anodizing capacities and creates a durable layer against corrosion. Meanwhile, 2024 aluminum was not effective when it came to anodizing.
Dichte
Aluminum 2024 alloy is heavy and has a density of 2.78 g/cm3. 6061 has less density, which is around 2.70 g/cm3.
Heat Treatable
Aluminum 6061 and 2024 are both suitable for heat treatment. They consist of different grades when it comes to varied heat temperatures and parameters for aging.
Extruded
6061 aluminum can be extruded easily, but 2024 cannot. 2024 contains copper, which creates precipitates on the surface during extrusion and leads to fracture.
Kosten
The cost of aluminum 6061 is quite less compared to 2024.
Aluminum 2024 vs 6061 Properties Table
The comparison between aluminum 2024 and 6061 at a glance can be seen in the table below:
| Eigentum | 6061 Aluminium | 2024 Aluminum |
| Streckgrenze | 276 MPa | 324 MPa |
| Wärmeleitfähigkeit | 154 W/m-K | 121 W/m-K |
| Elektrischer spezifischer Widerstand | 6.3 μΩ·cm | 5.8 μΩ·cm |
| Elastizität | Lower elasticity | Higher elasticity |
| Temperaturbeständigkeit | Hochtemperaturbeständigkeit | Low-temperature resistance |
| Härte | Lower hardness | Higher hardness |
| Schweißen | Hohe Schweißbarkeit | Poor weldability |
| Korrosionsbeständigkeit | Hohe Korrosionsbeständigkeit | Low corrosion resistance |
| Eloxieren | Enhanced anodizing capacity | Less effective anodizing |
| Dichte | 2.70 g/cm³ | 2.78 g/cm³ |
| Heat Treatable | Suitable for heat treatment | Offers to be heat-treatable |
| Extruded | Easily extruded | Difficult to extrude |
| Kosten | Lower cost | Higher cost |
Applications of 2024 vs 6061 Aluminum Alloy
2024 Aluminum
2024 aluminum is used in many applications, which consist of producing components that demand high fatigue resistance and high strength. Some of these applications are as follows:
- Komponenten für die Automobilindustrie
- Aircraft fittings
- Fuselages and wings
- Hardware
6061 Aluminium
Aluminum 6061 is heat-treatable and has a high fatigue strength. It offers excellent weldability and resists corrosion. Some of its applications can be as follows:
- Construction of towers
- Nieten
- Infrastructure
- Marine applications
- Luftfahrzeugkomponenten
Schlussfolgerung
The comparison of aluminum 2024 vs 6061 is highlighted in the guide above. If you are looking to have the components made using these aluminum alloys, you can get in touch with DEK. We offer these components with high quality and precision.
FAQs
Are both 2024 and 6061 aircraft aluminum grades?
Yes, aluminum 2024 and 6061 are both suitable for use in aircraft.
Which is stronger, 6061 or 2024 aluminum?
Aluminum 2024 has high strength compared to 6061.
How to choose machining aluminum 2024 or 6061 projects?
The machinability of aluminum alloys is based on factors like hardness, strength, and ductility. The aluminum 6061 is more machinable as it has low strength.
However, the strength of 2024 aluminum is high, and hence, it is less machinable and is mostly opted for plates and sheets.
