Alloy 6013 is a new medium strength aerospace alloy that provides improved corrosion resistance and formability for use in aerospace applications including primary aircraft structures. Alloy 6013 is an aluminum-magnesium-silicon-copper alloy that has yield strengths 12% higher than alclad 2024-T3 and is virtually immune to exfoliation and stress corrosion cracking. Industry use has demonstrated that 6013 in the T4 condition has better stretch forming characteristics than other aerospace aluminum alloys. Parts can be formed in the T4 condition and aged to the T6 condition without costly heat treating or annealing operations.
Uses for 6013 include primary structural applications including fuselage panels, leading and trailing edges and engine cowlings. Lockheed has chosen 6013-T6 for the fuselage of the Navy’s
P-7A aircraft. Canadair has specified 6013-T6 for the leading edges of the Regional Jet. Questair has been producing the Questair kit aircraft since 1986 entirely from 6013. Major jet aircraft builders are considering 6013 for applications on large commercial aircraft. Alloy 6013 is receiving consideration in most new programs taking advantage of the improved formability, lower density and corrosion resistance.
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