Abundant Aluminum

The material we use to make our pulleys and brackets is called 6061-T6 billet aluminum. This material has been around since 1935. It is used for many things because of its good mechanical properties and its ability to be welded and machined. 6061 tells us that the material is a precipitation-hardened aluminum alloy that use magnesium and silicon as its major alloy elements. The alpha-numerical suffix represents the temper-degree of hardness and how the hardness was achieved. T6 tells us that the aluminum alloy was heat-treated and artificially aged.

6061 is one of the most versatile of the heat-treatable aluminum alloys. Has good tensile strength, the resistance of the material to breaking under tension. Its ultimate tensile strength is 310 MPa, which equals 45,000 psi and yield strength us 276 MPa, that's 40,000 psi.

The structural strength and toughness of this alloy is why it's a popular material. As well for the fact that it's a non-corrosion material, conducts and dissipates heat well and it can be formed into almost any shape. Good finish, responds well anodizing - clear, color or hardcoat. The material can be easily welded without losing to much strength but that can be repaired with a re-heat treatment. 

This material is used for many things such as wings and fuselages for kit planes. Even yacht construction, utility boats, scuba tanks, fly fishing reels, bike frames and parts for firearm sound suppressors. Oh, automotive parts too because that's what we here at CVF use to make our parts.