Annealing question
I’m new to metal shaping. I bought a sheet of 16ga aluminum. I asked for 3003 h14 and the guy simply answered «*common grade*». Back at home I tried annealing a piece of it. I scribed on a piece of aluminum with a black sharpie. I then used a plomber propane torch kit to burn it off. It seemed to work since the sharpie is all gone. I left it to cool down before attempting to shape it. The aluminum is still very stiff.
I figure either the plumber propane torch is inapropriate for annealing or the guy sold me the wrong sheet of aluminum. What do you think? Thank you for tour help. |
Daniel, If you have a brake, take a small piece and try to bent it to 90 degrees with a tight radius at the bend. Look at the bend and see if there are any crack in the bend. If there are no cracks bend it past 90 degrees and look again for cracks. If it is 3003 H14 there will be no cracks If 6061 T-6 it will have cracks.
This is not a perfect test but it is a easy way to do a quick check. If you bought a 4x8 sheet it should have the alloy marked on the sheet. |
There is a white protective sticky material on one side of the sheet. I took it off and there is no markings on either side of the sheet.
I will bend it tonight to see what happens. Although a plumber propane torch is not ideal, should I still be able to anneal the aluminum with it or it does not put out enought heat? Thank you for your help. Daniel |
Is the side of the sheet polished under the white material you removed?
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no they are the same on both sides, which is a lightly brushed finish.
Daniel |
If it got the sheet hot enough for the market lines to disappear, then it should be enough torch.
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Is annealed 5052 getting «*butter soft*» like the 3003?
I don’t feel like I’m dealing with 3003. |
After marking with a permanent marker, heat from the other side. If you heat on the same side you will burn off pen before it gets hot enough. It should turn brown then go altogether, hope this helps.
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5052 will not anneal like 3003. I don't think you are dealing with 3003 either. If it cracks when you bend it past 90 degrees probably 6061. 5052 will bend but will work harden when bent.
Only the 1100 and 3000 series can be annealed by evenly heating to burn off the markings made with a marker or the coating put on with an Oxy/acet flame with low oxy to produce the soot. All other alloy must be heated to a specific temp and held there for a specific time depending on thickness and then cooled slowly at a rate specified for that alloy. |
I finally bent it with the metal brake way past 90 degrees. No cracks in sight. I torched it again on the opposite side of the Sharpy. It may be slightly softer but not much. From your messages it’s probably 5052. Either way it’s not the 3003 I asked for.
Thank you all for your help. Daniel |
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