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aluminum grade

Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 7:48 pm
by kRiS
Would anyone happened to know what grade of aluminum is used on LRs?

I think the early series trucks have aircraft aluminum since of all the surplus of aluminum after WWII

not sure about the 90's and 110's

thanks Kris

Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 8:57 pm
by Bill E.
Hey Kris, the early stuff was called Birmabright which was a propriatory alloy based on aircraft grade aluminum. Actual content is probably available somewhere. Early 90's and 110's used Birmabright but the bean counters put an end to that in 1986 along with the galvanized cappings.
Bill

Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 11:35 pm
by kRiS
Thanks Bill,

I think it might be same stuff as what boats are made off
5052

Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 7:41 am
by PaulC
Hi Kris,

I don’t remember that specification during my training on the LR3, but I'll try to find out for you, may take a week or two.

Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 11:24 pm
by Greg S
It is indeed a grade of aluminum alloy. I have a book somewhere that lists different metals, there is a section on aluminums and damnd if "Brimabright" wasn't listed there right along with the other aluminums. Here I thought it was a catch-phrase drempt up by a clerk at Land Rover.

Can't find the book right now though. :oops:

Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 6:14 pm
by red90
Birmabright, right lets now clear up the mysteries........ To give it its proper spec. Birmabright BB2, Produced by Birmetals Ltd., Birmabright works, Clapgate Lane, Quinton, Birmingham. Now defunct . This material could have also been called Hiduminium 22 , Alcan GB M57S , BA 21, Alcoa 510 , AWCO 21 . These being the same thing, but produced by other
companies of that era. But we only know it as Birmabright, because thats where the factory or the mudguard manufacturer purchased it from. Today we know this material as NS4, or in American terms 5251. ISO designation A1 MG2. I have had a chemical analysis carried out on a piece of original material . So now you can go manufacturing , and use todays equivalent of
the original. I originally thought the material to be an alclad, I have now proven myself to have been wrong.
Trevor Southwell 8/08/00
http://www.thevincent.com/vinwhl.htm

So alloy 5251

Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 8:23 pm
by kRiS
I got as far as NS4, but couldn't find the exact number.

thanks

Kris

Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 10:39 pm
by Greg S
Found it! Found It! :D

"Birmabright" Composition in percent. Cu 0.1; Si 0.3; Mg 3.0-6.0; Fe0.6; Mn 0.3-0.7; Ni 0.1 Zn 0.1; Pb 0.05; Sn 0.05 Balance Aluminum. Nominal composition Al-Mg. British Aluminium Co. Ltd.: No. BA28. British Standards Specifications 1490, LM5

Now, memorize it guys. 8)

Cu= copper; Si=silicon; Mg=magnesium; Fe= iron; Mn=manganese; Ni=nickel; Zn=zinc; Pb=lead; Sn=tin