Round Aluminium Tubes | 6mm x 1.6mm (1/4″ OD x 1/16″ Wall)

Aluminium Tubes

We offer a wide selection of aluminim tube online from trusted mills in the UK. Providing high-quality, low-priced aluminium piping to UK businesses and the general public, Speciality Metals is a leading aluminium metals supplier.

Aluminium is a highly versatile material that has been used in many industries due to its excellent properties, including corrosion resistance, lightweightness, thermal and electrical conductivity, ductility, durability and recyclability. At Speciality Metals, we offer round aluminium tubes in 6mm diameter x 1.6mm thick, manufactured from 6082 grade aluminium, which is an excellent choice for applications that require strength, toughness and good surface finish. Our aluminium tubes are available in various lengths to meet your specific needs and are incredibly flexible, making them ideal for a wide variety of applications. Whether you are looking for a material that can withstand tough environments or requires high strength-to-weight ratios, our round aluminium tubes can offer you the perfect solution.

Speciality Metals is known to be the United Kingdom’s best up-and-coming small-quantity metal company.

Over 50,000 customers of Speciality Metals are provided with fast, friendly customer service every year. We’re the place to try when you need metal of any shape and size. We’re based in Warrington, UK. We pride ourselves on our rapid turnaround and a large range of options.

We are the exact suppliers for you because:

• FREE UK delivery on all orders
• Order dispatch within 24 hours of order
• Located in Warrington, UK which is the UK home of mesh and metals
• Our experienced staff are experts in the mesh market and care personally about your customer experience

Key information:

• Shape – Round Tube
• Grade – 6082
• External Diameter – 6mm
• Wall Thickness – 1.6mm
• Internal Diameter – 2.8mm

We also carry a wide range of mild steel sheet metal, angle iron and flat bar.

Can I Drill Holes in Round Aluminium Tubes?

Yes, you can drill holes in round aluminium tubes. Aluminium is relatively soft compared to many other metals, which makes it easier to drill. Standard drill bits are typically suitable for this task. However, it’s essential to take certain precautions.

First, secure the tube properly before drilling to prevent it from moving or rotating, which could lead to inaccurate drilling or potential injury. Use a punch or sharp object to create a small indentation at the drilling point. This will help the drill bit to stay in place and prevent it from slipping off the surface of the tube when you start drilling.

Second, ensure the drill bit is sharp and in good condition to provide a clean, precise hole. Use a slow to moderate drill speed and apply steady pressure to prevent overheating, which can dull the drill bit and cause rough edges on the hole.

Finally, it may be beneficial to use a cutting lubricant, which can help keep the drill bit cool and extend its life, as well as make the drilling process smoother.

Once the hole is drilled, you may need to deburr it to remove any sharp edges or excess material. This can be done with a deburring tool or a larger drill bit.

Remember that, while it is possible to drill holes in round aluminium tubes, proper technique and safety measures are important to ensure the best results and to prevent injury.

Are Aluminium Tubes Safe for Food-Related Applications?

Aluminium and its alloys are widely used in the food and beverage industry due to their high thermal conductivity, light weight and natural resistance to corrosion. Aluminium containers and tubes are often used for packaging and storing food items and in cooking utensils.

However, while aluminium itself is generally considered safe for food-related applications, untreated aluminium can react with certain types of food, particularly those that are acidic or alkaline. This reaction can cause the aluminium to corrode and small amounts of aluminium to be absorbed into the food, which can impact the taste and potentially health.

To prevent this reaction, aluminium tubes used for food-related applications often undergo a process such as anodising or coating with a food-safe material. Anodising increases the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of the aluminium, enhancing its corrosion resistance and preventing it from reacting with food. Alternatively, a food-safe coating or lining can provide a barrier between the aluminium and the food, preventing any interaction.

It’s also important to note that any use of aluminium in food-related applications must comply with local regulations and standards, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines in the United States.

In conclusion, while aluminium tubes can be safe for food-related applications, care must be taken to treat or coat the aluminium appropriately to prevent reactions with food, and to comply with relevant safety regulations.

Are Round Aluminium Tubes Flexible?

The flexibility of aluminium tubes made from the 6082 grade or any other specific aluminium grade depends on various factors, including their size, wall thickness and the temper condition of the aluminium.

Grade 6082 is a medium strength alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. It has the highest strength of the 6000 series alloys, often used in highly stressed applications. As such, 6082-grade aluminium tubes are strong and durable.

However, as a result of this strength, 6082 aluminium may not be as flexible as tubes made from softer, more ductile aluminium grades. Also, its flexibility will be less in a hardened temper condition, like T6, compared to a more annealed condition, like T4.

That said, smaller tubes with thinner walls made from 6082 aluminium can have a certain degree of flexibility, but they could be prone to bending or kinking under excessive force due to their strength. Always take into account the specific application requirements and stresses that the tube will undergo when choosing the grade and dimensions of aluminium tubes.

In summary, while 6082-grade round aluminium tubes exhibit high strength and good resistance to corrosion, they may not be as flexible as tubes made from some other aluminium grades or temper conditions. However, they can be appropriate for applications where a balance of strength and some degree of flexibility is needed.