6061-T6 Aluminum: Why We Use It
What is 6061-T6 Aluminum And How Is It Made?
6061-T6 aluminum is used in a wide range of applications, from aircraft components and electrical fittings to pistons and bicycle frames. Here at Copperloy, every ramp we produce is crafted from this premium-grade material.
What makes 6061-T6 so exceptional is its remarkable strength and versatility—no other metal is applied in as many different ways. In our state of the art facility, we manufacture the highest quality aluminum yard ramps, van ramps, twin lock and stage ramps – all with 6061-T6.
6061-T6 aluminum starts out as a clay-like soil called Bauxite. Aluminum oxide is extracted, refined, heated and filtered into a white powder. High heat hardening lowers the plasticity or flexibility and increases the yield strength, creating 6061-T6 aluminum.
What’s 6061-T6 Aluminum Made Of?
6061-T6 has a density of 2.70 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³) and is remarkably pure, with aluminum making up 95.85%–98.56% total. To increase hardness and durability other elements include:
- Iron
- Copper
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Chromium
- Zinc
- Titanium
Any Special requirements For Welding 6061-T6 Aluminum?
Yes. 6061-T6 is welded using tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) or metal inert gas welding (MIG) by our highly skilled and trained welders at Copperloy. But aluminum forms a thin coat of aluminum oxide that melts at a higher temperature, so before welding it is important to remove the oxide with heating to 350°F (176°C). 6061-T6 is much easier to weld at this high temperature and without this preheating 6061-T6 can develop weak or shallow bonds.
All our 6061-T6 aluminum yard ramps, van ramps, twin lock and stage ramp ramps are prepped with acetone, rinsed in clean water, dried, and scrubbed with stainless steel brushes before any welding is started – it’s laborious but it’s the right way to do it and makes our ramps among the best in the industry.
Copperloy Ramps vs. Imported Yard Ramps
Some imports may be cheaper but they never get the job done properly or safely. All Copperloy’s aluminum yard ramps, van ramps, twin lock and stage ramps typically use 6061-T6 aluminum and our yard ramps use a solid support side rail structure. This side structure supports the entire capacity of the load. Some cheaper imports have welded tube supports that if bent cannot handle the original load.
All Copperloy’s aluminum yard ramps have 8-foot level offs for easy access onto trucks, loading docks, and use 15-inch lips that overlap the ramp frames and rest solidly on the truck carrier bodies, dock floors, or platforms. The lip “floats” with the height of the trailer – if the trailer rises or falls, then our 6061-T6 yard ramps rise or fall accordingly.
Many imported yard ramp hinges and level offs are heavy and not integrated into the design
We use 6061-T6 Aluminum On All Our Yard Ramps
Fiberglass ramps may seem attractive from a price perspective but in the long run, the gripping surface will deteriorate over time.
Aluminum ramps however last indefinitely and they are light and easy to move – though a lighter weight, 6061-T6 aluminum yard ramps still have a rugged standard capacity of up to 25,000 lbs. Even in wet conditions, you can be sure to have no traction worries due to our serrated Sharktooth grating.
We use 6061-T6 aluminum because it provides a very stable, very mobile working material for our leading-edge yard ramps. You can feel good because it is 100 percent recyclable, non-toxic, green and easy to clean and does not rust. Our 6061-T6 aluminum ramps will last for years – maintenance-free – so you can keep working safely.
Copperloy has been designing and manufacturing aluminum ramps for more than 70 years. We are industry leaders and proud to say our products are “made in America”.
Call us at 800-321-4968 to learn more about our full lineup of ramps and other equipment.
