does aluminum have to be hardened

[yoz's friend]

i have a multi tool idea i was thinking of having made of aluminum.does it have to be hardened? thanks.

 

[Jared Stenoien]

Why aluminum? You won't be able to harden it enough to use it as a knife or anything like that if that's what you were thinking. Certain grades can be hardened but not to the levels steel can.

 

[Larry Hensley]

Aluminum wouldn't make a good multi tool (My Opinion). the small pieces would be too weak to use, and the knife wouldnt keep much of an edge. maybe using it for the casing or linking parts but even then I would want something stronger if it was going ot get any serious use.

 

[george tichbourne]

You can surface harden aluminum by anodizing it, cuts down scuffing for a while but will wear off eventually.

George

 

[jim greenlaw]

6061 can be hard anodized ; it is glass hard, but the skin is only a few thousands deep. Jim Greenlaw