Can aluminum be used as an inlay metal?

corpulent

corpulent

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My wife and I always do the "traditional" gifts for our anniversaries. The next one is the 10th, which is tin/aluminum. I was considering having a gun engraved with the date and such, and was wondering if aluminum can be inlaid.

I realize it likely wouldn't be very noticeable on a stainless piece, but maybe the grips could be inlaid?

Diamond is the "modern" 10th anniversary gift, but I don't know how that would look on a gun. Maybe each dot on the sights could be one ;)
 
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Yes, you can use aluminum as an inlay metal. However, aluminum is an active metal and corrodes readily which will not lend itself well to your purpose.
 
Sometimes contact between dissimilar metals will make the less "noble" meta,l in this case the Al, corrode by electrolysis.
I know this is common in marine or outdoor environment you have probably seen the white powder around SS screws in aluminum. Maybe it will not be the case in your application, I'd check with somebody with experience before doing it.
Good luck
Steve W.
 
it kinda goes along with "you could shoot a Harley Davidson ... but why would you want to"
yeah it can be done, and to overcome its corrosion issues, it can be anodized
 
If in the same temper range, as established by a Webster scale determination, common 6000 series alloys 6061, 6063, 6060 and 6005 will be alot more malleable than 7000 series alloys.

Trans-deposition is indeed an issue between steel and aluminum. In my industry is it common practice when assembling aluminum structures to plate fasteners with cadmium to prevent this.
 
Some fine guns have aluminum grips. Also, I have a Kimber with an aluminum (alloy) frame. I believe S&W makes some lightweight guns out of a mostly aluminum alloy.

Heck, just get her an AR-15!

Get her a model 317 and have it factory engraved. (aluminum frame and cylinder)
 
corpulent said:
.
Diamond is the "modern" 10th anniversary gift, but I don't know how that would look on a gun. Maybe each dot on the sights could be one ;)
Click to expand...
DOn't know what book you're reading but I suspect that list was put out be deBeers.
My 29th is coming up and according to the list I refer to the modern gift for the 29th is "card"
 
Cajun,
I suggest you need to use the same list your wife uses. Take it from someone who knows ( I made it 38 years, but not 39).
 
Yes aluminum can be inlayed into steel or stainless steel.
It has a tendency to work harden quickly,,at least the alloys I've worked with. I'm sure there's a gazillion different ones, some better than others for the purpose.
You have to get it into the undercut on the first try, kind of like low alloy gold, or you're in for a tough time.

** If you have it inlayed into carbon steel and the part is re-blued with the common hot salt bluing method,,the aluminum will fizzle and disappear in the bluing tank in a matter of seconds**
The caustic soda content of the bluing salts eats it up.
 
Thanks for the input, all.

I do see that Smith & Wesson makes aluminum handcuffs. . .
 
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