3003 aluminum work hardening quesiton

[losthelm]

My metals supplier only had 3003 aluminum so I picked up a small piece.
Can I expect 16 guage to harden enuff for SCA rapier / cut and thrust combat.

I'm planning for a pasvise in the Maximilian style but I'm unfamilure with this material.

The shapeing is not a concern but I'm worried about the durabiltiy with higher calibration from the cut and thrust community.

I expect to make at least one as a proto type but testing opertunitys are less than idea for me.

[Baron Alcyoneus]

Looking at Matweb.com, it looks like a very soft alloy, and easy to form. I don't think it will get very hard.

[Sean Powell]

I agree, it's a soft alloy. In the anealed state it only has a 6,000 psi yield strength. At H-18 temper that can be pushed as high as 27,000 psi. 6061-T6 has a yield of 37,000 psi. All of them have a youngs modulous of 10,000 ksi.

What this means is: If you cut strips (of just the right size) from 3 shields made from 3003-0 3003-H18 and 6061-T6 and bent them in your hands, they would take the same amount of force to bend .6" and then spring back. If you add a few more pounds the -0 will just start creaping and holding a bend while the H-18 and -T6 still act like springs until 2.7". After that all of the 3003 aluminum will start bending (and the -0 will probably become a pretzle) but the -T6 will go 3.7" and still spring back.

Given that my 6061-T6 shield is 3 layers of 0.100" thickness riveted together and looks like a pringle chip under the hose I'm going to say that the impacts that will lightly dent 6061-T6 will pretty much cave 3003 annealed and be 20-25% worse in the H-18.

AT BEST, the work hardening of the 3003 will mimic the H-18 but I suspect it will be signifigantly worse. I'd guestimate only half-way from your start to 27ksi.

Sorry,
Sean

[losthelm]

Ok my search through google told me basic the same thing, I was not sure if the 27K PSI would be enuff for rapier combat I guess it will not hold up to cut and thrust without some structural reinforcement.

[Sean Powell]

Ok my search through google told me basic the same thing, I was not sure if the 27K PSI would be enuff for rapier combat I guess it will not hold up to cut and thrust without some structural reinforcement.

It might be good enough for rapier I don't have a base-line. How does the 6061-T6 hold up and what temper did you buy the 3003 at? 3003-H12, -H14, H-16, H-18?

Sean

[Baron Alcyoneus]

If you put Trim-lok on the edge it will probably hold up well enough, it isn't like it will be taking huge impacts.

[losthelm]

The temper was not labled, Its just the 0.63 and 3003 on the sheet.

Figure I will try a basic round dome buckler today and just roll the edge, planishing should work harden it a little.

[Baron Alcyoneus]

That is pretty thin, it would not survive rattan at all. C&T? I would expect that it would last some time before you replace it because it doesn't look good- but it would still be protective.