Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing an Aluminium Grade

Aluminum Sheet is the most widely used form of Aluminium Alloy. It is commonly used for light fabrications, enclosures, truck and trailer repairs, car body panels, machine building, and extensively in construction, aerospace, and defense applications. Aluminium Alloy is lightweight and has a good strength to weight ratio. Aluminum Sheet can be cut using a jigsaw with the correct blade or very thin sheets that can be cut using a sharp blade or tin snips.

Is the Strength of the Aluminum the main factor?

Alloy 2024– A high strength aluminum alloy

Alloy 3003– Medium strength

Alloy 5052– Medium to high strength alloy

Alloy 6061– Medium to high strength alloy

Alloy 6063– Medium strength

Alloy 7075 – A high strength aluminum alloy

Heat Treating of the Aluminum

Alloy 2024 – Can be Heat Treated

Alloy 3003– Does not respond to Heat Treatment

Alloy 5052– Does not respond to Heat Treatment

Alloy 6061– Can be Heat Treated

Alloy 6063– Can be Heat Treated

Alloy 7075– Can be Heat Treated

Formability or Workability

Alloy 2024 – Great Formability or Workability

Alloy 3003– Magnificent Formability or Workability

Alloy 5052– Great Formability or Workability

Alloy 6061– Great Formability or Workability

Alloy 6063– Great Formability or Workability

Alloy 7075– Bad Formability or Workability

Corrosion Resistance of the Aluminum

Alloy 2024– Bad Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 3003– Great Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 5052– Magnificent Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 6061– Magnificent Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 6063– Great Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 7075 – Average Corrosion Resistance

Weldability of the Aluminum

Alloy 2024– Bad Weldability

Alloy 3003– Magnificent Weldability

Alloy 5052– Great Weldability

Alloy 6061– Great Weldability

Alloy 6063– Great Weldability

Alloy 7075 – Bad Weldability

Machining of the Aluminum

Alloy 2024 – Fair Machinability

Alloy 3003– Great Machinability

Alloy 5052– Fair Machinability

Alloy 6061– Great Machinability

Alloy 6063– Fair Machinability

Alloy 7075– Fair Machinability

Typical end-use applications of Aluminum Grades:

Alloy 2024– Aerospace Applications

Alloy 3003– Food & Chemical Equipment – General Fabrication

Alloy 5052– Marine Applications – General Fabrication

Alloy 6061– Structural Applications – General Fabrication

Alloy 6063– Architectural Applications

Alloy 7075 – Aerospace Applications