Dale,
I've been on this list for less than two years, and this critical question keeps coming up: "What alloy was used for such and such part by the factory when they made my (broken, bent or corroded) part?"
When Ultraflight was still in business, we could purchase factory, authentic replacement parts made to spec. With the demise of the factory, the fabrication of repair parts has fallen to owners. Most have been quite skilled in fabricating replacement parts, or have found others to make parts for them.
The BIG PROBLEM is that we don't always know exactly what material was used in the original part, or what material is suitable for these parts!
I've seen suggestions on various forums to use alloys that are most probably not suitable for the parts in question (a recent example: 6061-T6 for the F6 gussets/attachment plates). I'm afraid that some of these suggestions will be repeated until they are considered proper. Dale, now that you are looking in on the forums from time to time, could you please give us some guidance on this important issue, especially pertaining to critical components such as wing attachment fittings, lift struts and attachments, tail fittings, etc.?
Chappy in Virginia
PS. Guys, PLEASE give Dale a chance to comment on this before beginning any general discussions on this issue.