>Once again I have broken a wheel pant mounting bracket. This makes at least ten times they have broken and each time I am paying around 10 dollars to get them welded back together. They are made from 6061T6 aluminum.
Hi Mark 6061T6 means 6061 has been strengthened by tempering to T6 condition, it has a tensile strength of about 40,000 psi. After welding, the properties near the weld are those of annealed 6061-0 with a maximum tensile strength of 18,000 psi, a significant reduction in strength. To restore the original strength, the part can be heat treated again to a T6 condition. There are heat treating shops that specialize in this but it may be easier to re-make the part and perhaps in a thicker gauge. Good Luck Brant Hollensbe Des Moines
