Alfiniti, Inc., a leader in the production of drawn tube and pipes, has taken two significant steps to improve the standardization of its products. The company has registered the 6061-T8 temper with the Aluminum Association and ensured its inclusion in the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) International standards. This move standardizes the temper’s manufacturing methods and mechanical properties, broadening its application in the aluminum industry.
“This registration is about standardizing an established temper, allowing designers to use it without prior supplier agreements,” said Richard James, managing director of Alfiniti. “Any industry that is looking at hydraulic cylinder tubing would be interested in this. They can now look at designs for changing materials, like converting from steel to aluminum, or optimizing current aluminum designs by taking advantage of the higher properties. This makes applications lighter and less costly.”
The lightweight and durable 6061-T8 temper has been in use for decades. However, its application was based on individual agreements between companies and suppliers. Registering this temper with international industry associations provides a consistent manufacturing process with guaranteed mechanical properties for designers to reference.
This also makes the data more widely available, which in turn means the 6061-T8 will be more widely used. Applications for the 6061-T8 will broaden as a result of the recent inclusion, but for now use cases include: shock absorbers, hydraulic cushioning systems, trench shoring, and mining.
Alfiniti produces drawn aluminum tube and pipe, offering products in a wide range of alloys and sizes. With over 55 years of experience, they have extensive tooling capabilities, producing tubes and pipes in facilities located in both Winton, NC, in the U.S. and Chicoutimi, QC, in Canada.