aluminium tube / bar suppliers

[joesnif]

anyone know of a good aircraft grade aluminium suppliers in the UK? I'm trying to get hold of some 7075 tubing and bar for building some prototype suspension arms and pushrods.

[joesnif]

anyone know of a good aircraft grade aluminium suppliers in the UK? I'm trying to get hold of some 7075 tubing and bar for building some prototype suspension arms and pushrods.

[Igor]

I'm not a mechanical engineer, but are you sure aluminium is the right material for A-arms?

Igor

[joesnif]

Should be ok. this is just a prototype for testing as i said but i've done some calculations and allthough the tubing used will have to be of a larger diameter and wall thickness than the t45 steel tube its replacing it will still give an overall weight saving. The calculations i did were on 7075 t6 aluminium alloy but i've not been able to find a supplier so far.
Aston motorsports in Birmingham have successfully used aluminium for suspension parts, though i'm not sure what grade
see:-
http://formulastudent.aston.ac.uk/information/cars/

[Jersey Tom]

How are you going to join your a-arms? Weldment or bonded? I work as a machinist but I've been told 7075 is in all practicality not weldable.

Sadly I can't help you with a supplier.. at least not one in the UK

[joesnif]

a arms and pushrods will have aluminium inserts that will be bonded into the ends of the tubes using an epoxy adhesive.
As for suppliers i've still had no luck so if you know ANY suppliers even if they are american or from elsewhere it would be a great help. We already use bearings and rod ends ordered from the U.S.

[jdstuff]

joesnif....

We are lucky enough to have Clinton Aluminum right in our backyards...they've always been an excellent supplier for us regarding all things non-ferrous. They're a US company, but they offer UPS shipping so I imagine they can deliver to the UK. Here's their website:
http://www.clintonaluminum.com/

Good Luck!