Lian Li Case: Aluminum Alloy Type? - Overclock.net

DuckieHo · 05-14-07

This is a haaaaaaard question so points to who can answer it....

What aluminum alloy does Lian Li use in their cases? (i.e. 5086, 6013, 7075, 6020, etc) I need to know the yield strength (psi) for a project. I want to make a thinner panel but it must still be strong enough.

If not, would a .09" aluminum plate rated for 17000 psi be strong enough not to deform from a PSU mounted to it? How about a 40000 psi plate?

**Xavier1421** · 05-14-07

Depends on the shape of the plate and weight of the psu and how it is mounted.

DuckieHo · 05-14-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavier1421

Depends on the shape of the plate and weight of the psu and how it is mounted.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...a3450777730d9a

Above it the plate I need to cut. There is support only along the edges... about 1/2" will be against the case. The PSU will be a larger 800w+ model (6-8lbs, I assume) and will be sideways mounted.

FrankenPC · 05-14-07

Do you have an example of the aluminum? I could send you a section I removed off my Lian-Li. You could use a hardness gauge on it and derive the alloy.

**Xavier1421** · 05-14-07

I am assuming the plate above is shown in a frontal view?

The modulus of elasticity is more important than tensile (or yield) strength in this case.

So, 6 perimeter mounting holes to support the plate, and 4 holes to support the PSU?

DuckieHo · 05-14-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenPC

Do you have an example of the aluminum? I could send you a section I removed off my Lian-Li. You could use a hardness gauge on it and derive the alloy.

I have scrapes of my Lian Li case as well. What is a hardness gauge? I really don't need the exact alloy, I just need to know if what I will be using is strong enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavier1421

I am assuming the plate above is shown in a frontal view?

The modulus of elasticity is more important than tensile (or yield) strength in this case.

So, 6 perimeter mounting holes to support the plate, and 4 holes to support the PSU?

Correct. I am worried that torque from the PSU weight will eventually warp the aluminum. Thanks for the help.

**Xavier1421** · 05-14-07

At almost 1/10" thick, I believe the plate will hold just fine. You're talking maybe 8 lbs over 4 holes, over the long edge of the psu...should be just fine

If I had access to the FEA program I used to use, I'd show you some nice graphs showing the relative deformation on a 10x scale to make you think you were making waves with the plate

(but look at the pretty colors!)

Mounting long-ways-vertical is your best bet...mounting it the other way without support in the z-direction (for lack of a better plane) could cause some warping.

DuckieHo · 05-14-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavier1421

At almost 1/10" thick, I believe the plate will hold just fine. You're talking maybe 8 lbs over 4 holes, over the long edge of the psu...should be just fine

If I had access to the FEA program I used to use, I'd show you some nice graphs showing the relative deformation on a 10x scale to make you think you were making waves with the plate

(but look at the pretty colors!)

Mounting long-ways-vertical is your best bet...mounting it the other way without support in the z-direction (for lack of a better plane) could cause some warping.

So any aluminum alloy will be strong enough?

I have to mount the PSU vertical.... need to fit another PSU, pump, res, TEC and waterchiller in the space to the left.

**Xavier1421** · 05-14-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo

So any aluminum alloy will be strong enough?

I have to mount the PSU vertical.... need to fit another PSU, pump, res, TEC and waterchiller in the space to the left.

That's putting words in my mouth

I believe that the aluminum that Lian Li uses (not sure what it is, but having used their cases and modded (slightly) with them), I am pretty darn confident that the alloy they use, at almost 1/10" thick, ought to hold.

DuckieHo · 05-14-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavier1421

That's putting words in my mouth

I believe that the aluminum that Lian Li uses (not sure what it is, but having used their cases and modded (slightly) with them), I am pretty darn confident that the alloy they use, at almost 1/10" thick, ought to hold.

LOL, the thing is... I am not using their aluminum. I just need to know how strong their stuff is to make sure what I am buying is sufficent. I need to purchase some aluminum to replace this:

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Lian Li Case: Aluminum Alloy Type?