Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Aluminum Frame Conversion (AFC)

Lesson's Learned / Postmortem / Advice

<< < (2/2)

jBernard:
Good info thanks! Do you think the heat treating is necessary though? I think the stck rails are 6063. I don't think to many on here have had any lower rail failures and the one crack I did see seemed to be from a engine bracket mount that didn't distribute the weight enough.
Also, would the heat treating of the 7000 series lower rails negatively impact the surrounding 6000 series of the rest of the frame since they may need to be processed differently?

mxaniac:

--- Quote from: jBernard on May 01, 2012, 05:21:23 AM ---Good info thanks! Do you think the heat treating is necessary though? I think the stck rails are 6063. I don't think to many on here have had any lower rail failures and the one crack I did see seemed to be from a engine bracket mount that didn't distribute the weight enough.
Also, would the heat treating of the 7000 series lower rails negatively impact the surrounding 6000 series of the rest of the frame since they may need to be processed differently?

--- End quote ---

The properties of 6000 series aluminum completely turn to crap after welding.  Yes heat treating is beneficial.  Especially where the downtube is cut and the Y moved up.

I've not found a definative answer on what the stock frame is made of, where did the 6063 come from?  6061 in something like a T4 condition is much stronger than a 6063.

jBernard:


jfab uses 6063.
i did a bit of research and bending 6061, especially T6 which is 99% of whats out there, wont handle the bend of the rails without cracking/deforming. 6063 is architectural grade and handles the forming much easier. welds easy as well.
also, 6061 seems to loose up to 80% of strength at the weld site whereas 6063 while lower tensile and yield strength will only loose up to 30%. i think the reasoning behind the 6063 is thats yes it looses quality at the weld, but with proper design and gusseting it is strong enough and doesnt need to be treated after welding.
i'll be bending mine out of 6063 within a week or so, hopefully turns out fine!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page