Square AL vs steele tube Is 0.035" steel comparable to 0.062" AL t6-6063 strengthwise

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Square AL vs steele tube Is 0.035" steel comparable to 0.062" AL t6-6063 strengthwise?I work with aluminum all the time, but have hardly ever used steel. My first is in regards to wall thickness vs strength for standard tubes like 1x1" or 1x2". How does one determine an approximately similar strength material. I use mostly 6063 and 6061 aluminum. is there a general rule of thumb like steel tube deflection stregnth is about equal to aluminum tube that is twice as thick?also what are the minimum order requirements for odd thin wall steele tubes. My hunch is 1x1x0.035 steeel tube is not that common?When I order special aluminum profiles the minimum order is 1000 lbs and if they do not have the extrusion die, it is about $1800to make it.I honestly don't know how steel tube is made, only from youtube do I have a cluehttp://www.youtube.com/results?searc...ke+square+tubeI love my aluminum supplier eastern metal, they have all their profiles online, is there a similar steel distributor with a good website? around charlotte, nc or atlanta, ga?
Reply:Call your supply company and ask them to find a steel tube that is similar in strength (tensile or whatever you need for the part you are making) to the aluminum you usually use. If you buy allot from them I'm sure they will be happy to help.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I don't have a steel supply company, and I generally don't trust what sales people tell me anyways.
Reply:If you look at ultimate strength, it is about a tie.   Steel has much higher ultimate strength, but it is thinner, so it cancels out.If you look at yield strength, aluminum is clearly superior, as the yield strength is similar, but aluminum is almost twice as thick.If you look at stiffness, steel is clearly superior.   (Young's modulus of 29,000,000 vs 10,000,000)(I wrote a much more detailed reply, with numbers, which disappeared into cyberspace).So it all depends on what is important in this application.   When I am designing something, I am generally going to calculate both strength and stiffness, to make sure that the design meets both criteria.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I could model a beam of each and see where each one yields at...Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderSquare AL vs steele tube Is 0.035" steel comparable to 0.062" AL t6-6063 strengthwise?I work with aluminum all the time, but have hardly ever used steel. My first is in regards to wall thickness vs strength for standard tubes like 1x1" or 1x2". How does one determine an approximately similar strength material. I use mostly 6063 and 6061 aluminum. is there a general rule of thumb like steel tube deflection stregnth is about equal to aluminum tube that is twice as thick?also what are the minimum order requirements for odd thin wall steele tubes. My hunch is 1x1x0.035 steeel tube is not that common?When I order special aluminum profiles the minimum order is 1000 lbs and if they do not have the extrusion die, it is about $1800to make it.I honestly don't know how steel tube is made, only from youtube do I have a cluehttp://www.youtube.com/results?searc...ke+square+tubeI love my aluminum supplier eastern metal, they have all their profiles online, is there a similar steel distributor with a good website? around charlotte, nc or atlanta, ga?
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderIs 0.035" steel comparable to 0.062" AL t6-6063 strengthwise?
Reply:ok, thanks for all replies after doing some research I found these two online calculators.http://www.onlinemetals.com/calculator.cfmhttp://metalgeek.com/static/deflection.phpthe reason for asking is I thought I might switch from AL to Steel.Steel is cheaper, but requires it to be painted, so might not really save that much after I set up a paint room and pay for labor to clean it, painting tools, etc. I can use a thinner wall steel tubing and have the same strength as aluminum 3 times thickerHowever the aluminum is about 15% lighter overall, even though wall thickness is 3x thicker. thanks for all the replies gives me something to chew on.