How Strong is Aluminum ?

Published on May 18, 2018
Duration: 11:51

This guide details an experimental approach to testing the ballistic resistance of 6061 aluminum blocks against powerful rifle and handgun rounds, including .50 BMG and .500 S&W Magnum. The experiment, conducted by an expert in ballistic testing, demonstrates the significant penetration capabilities of high-caliber ammunition while also highlighting the substantial strength of thick aluminum. It provides insights into the performance differences between various ammunition types and the challenges of managing extreme recoil.

Quick Summary

In ballistic tests, 2.5-inch thick 6061 aluminum blocks demonstrated significant resistance. A .50 BMG API round penetrated one block and lodged in the second, while a .50 BMG AP round penetrated deeper. Conversely, .500 S&W Magnum rounds were easily stopped by a single block, highlighting aluminum's effectiveness against handgun calibers but vulnerability to heavy rifle rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Setup
  2. 00:44.50 BMG API Test
  3. 01:29API Damage Inspection
  4. 02:16.50 BMG AP Test
  5. 02:54AP Damage Inspection
  6. 04:23Brass Precision Round Test
  7. 06:11.500 S&W Magnum Test
  8. 07:19700-Grain .500 S&W Test
  9. 09:02Final Handgun Results

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is 6061 aluminum against high-caliber firearms?

In tests using 2.5-inch thick 6061 aluminum blocks, a .50 BMG API round penetrated one block and lodged in the second. A .50 BMG AP round penetrated deeper into the second block. However, .500 S&W Magnum rounds were easily stopped by a single block, indicating significant resistance to handgun calibers.

What is the penetration difference between .50 BMG API and AP rounds on aluminum?

The .50 BMG Armor Piercing Incendiary (API) round fully penetrated the first 2.5-inch aluminum block and embedded in the second. The standard .50 BMG Armor Piercing (AP) round showed even deeper penetration, nearly exiting the second block, suggesting better penetration capability against this material.

Can a .500 S&W Magnum penetrate thick aluminum?

No, .500 S&W Magnum rounds, including heavy 700-grain loads, were completely stopped by a single 2.5-inch thick 6061 aluminum block. This demonstrates that while powerful, these handgun rounds lack the penetration power to defeat substantial aluminum barriers.

Which firearm was used to test .50 BMG rounds against aluminum?

The .50 BMG rounds were fired from a Serbu BFG-50A, a semi-automatic rifle specifically designed for the powerful .50 BMG cartridge. This rifle was mounted on a bipod for stability during the ballistic testing.

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