6061 and 7005

Paul057
Paul057 Posts: 167
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
Anyone know the difference between the 2 differet grades of Alu and the pros/cons of them?

Comments

  • rafletcher
    rafletcher Posts: 1,235
    7005 is a higher strength alloy, so tubes will be (relatively) thinner compared to 6061.
  • You have to watch 7005 where there is likely to be corrosion. There have been lots of instances where sweat on 7005 handlebars has caused the bars to fail. You cannot see the corrosion because of the bar tape. The heavier 6061 bars don't suffer from corrosion as much
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    rafletcher wrote:
    7005 is a higher strength alloy, so tubes will be (relatively) thinner compared to 6061.

    So 7005 is "better" than 6061? I always thought it was the other way round...
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Looking at the two raw materials, 7005 would appear to be stronger, but 6000-series are heat-treatable and therefore can be built into a lighter/stiffer frame - however, the heat-treatment is an additional, more complex process and therefore is more costly. Generally, you find 7000-series on basic frames and 6000-series on better quality ones.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..