Aluminium is not only a plentiful element on Earth, but also one of the most common metals. This article will discuss the various forms of aluminium, how they work mechanically, and what kinds of things they are most commonly used for.
Currently, there are several grading systems used to classify the various alloys that can be worked with aluminium. When two or more metals are mixed, the result is an alloy with improved properties like a higher melting point or more strength.
There are a variety of uses and applications for aluminium due to the fact that different grades have different properties. Their four-digit identification numbers start with the grade series, which indicates the main alloying element. This is known as the International Alloy Designation System.
Heat treatment and other forms of working can further alter the properties of some alloys.
In this article, we will discuss the differences between aluminum and give some other recommendations on what to use for your next project.
Table of Contents
Different Aluminum Grades
The various grades of aluminium should be familiarised with first. There are three main varieties of aluminium: 1100, 3003, and 6061. Application and cost are both affected by the aluminium grade. As an example, while 6061 is the more expensive material, 1100 isn't suitable for use in cooking utensils or pot covers because it melts at high temperatures.
Alloy 1100:
Pure aluminium for commercial use is this grade. Its softness, ductility, and great workability make it perfect for uses requiring precise shaping. Although it cannot be heated, it is weldable using any technique. Chemical and food processing industries frequently utilise it due to its exceptional corrosion resistance.
Alloy 2011:
This grade is known for its high mechanical strength and exceptional machining capabilities. An outstanding option for projects carried out on automatic lathes, it is commonly referred to as Free Machining Alloy (FMA). The fine chips that are easily removed are a result of the rapid machining of this grade. Producing intricate and complicated components is a breeze with Alloy 2011.
Alloy 2014:
An exceptionally strong and machine-friendly copper-based alloy. Because of its resistance, this alloy finds widespread use in structural applications within the aerospace industry.
Alloy 2024:
This high-strength aluminium alloy is among the most popular choices. Used frequently in applications requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio due to its exceptional fatigue resistance and high strength.
Forming in the annealed condition with subsequent heat treatment, if necessary, allows for this grade to be machined to a high finish. This grade has a poor resistance to corrosion. Anodized or clad 2024 (a thin outer layer of high purity aluminium) is the material of choice when this is a concern.
Alloy 3003:
The aluminium alloy that sees the greatest volume of use. A commercially pure aluminium alloy that is 20% stronger than 1100 grade thanks to the addition of manganese. It is very workable and resistant to corrosion. It is possible to weld, braze, or deep draw this grade.
Alloy 5052:
As far as the less heat-treatable alloy grades are concerned, this one has the highest strength. When compared to other grades of aluminium, its fatigue strength is significantly higher. Because of its high workability and resistance to corrosion in marine environments, Alloy 5052 is a popular choice for many maritime applications. It is very malleable and can be shaped into complex forms with ease.
Alloy 6061:
The heat-treatable aluminium alloy with the greatest versatility, retaining most of aluminum's desirable properties. This grade is resistant to corrosion and has a wide variety of mechanical properties. It has excellent workability in the heated condition and can be fabricated using most of the commonly used techniques.
You can braze it in a furnace or use any of the other welding techniques. Consequently, it finds usage in a vast array of goods and uses where improved strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetics are paramount. Typically, the corners of the Tube and Angle shapes in this grade are rounded.
Alloy 6063:
Architectural alloy is the common name for it. In addition to having good finishing qualities and a high level of corrosion resistance, it possesses reasonably high tensile properties. Used most frequently in a wide variety of architectural trim and applications, both inside and out. It works wonderfully for anodising purposes. In this grade, square corners are typical for tube and angle shapes.
Alloy 7075:
You won't find an aluminium alloy with more strength than this. It is ideal for heavily stressed components due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. The annealed condition allows for the formation of this grade, which can then be heat treated if necessary. You can also use spot or flash welding on it, though arc and gas aren't ideal.
Consider If The Following Are Important When Picking An Aluminium Grade:
- Strength the ability to shape or work
- Corrosion in Machining Fight back
- Easy to weld
- Heating and treating
- Size and Strength
- Common applications for end use
Check This Guide
Weldability of the Aluminum
- Alloy 1100 is very easy to weld.
- Lack of Weldability in Alloy 2011
- Lack of Weldability for Alloy 2024
- Alloy 3003 is very easy to weld.
- Alloy 5052: Easy to weld.
- Alloy 6061: Easy to weld.
- Alloy 6063: Easy to weld.
- Welding is hard to do with alloy 7075
Machining of the Aluminum
- As long as you hard temper it, alloy 1100 is easy to work with.
- Alloy 2011: Very Easy to Machine
- It's not easy to machine alloy 2024; it works best when it's been annealed.
- Alloy 3003 is easy to machine.
- For Alloy 5052, it's not very easy to machine (hard tempering is best).
- Alloy 6061 is easy to machine (only at T4 and T6 temperatures).
- Alloy 6063: Fairly Easy to Machine
- Alloy 7075 is pretty easy to machine (best when annealed).
Corrosion Resistance of the Aluminum
- Alloy 1100: Very Good Resistance to Corrosion
- Poor Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 2011
- Poor Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 2024
- Good Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 3003
- Alloy 5052 has great corrosion resistance and is often used in marine settings.
- Excellent Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 6061
- Good Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 6063
- Alloy 7075 has average resistance to corrosion.
Heat Treating of the Aluminum
- Alloy 1100: Heat treatment doesn't work on it
- For Alloy 2011, you can heat treat it.
- It is possible to heat treat alloy 2024.
- Alloy 3003: Heat treatment doesn't work on it
- Alloy 5052: Heat treatment doesn't work on it
- Alloy 7075 – Can be heated up Alloy 6063 – Can be heated up
Strength of the Aluminum
- Alloy 1100: It's not used for high-strength or high-pressure jobs.
- Alloy 2011 is a strong metal alloy to work with.
- Alloy 2024 is an aluminium alloy with a high strength.
- Alloy 3003 is strong but not extreme.
- This is alloy 5052, which is medium to high strength.
- A medium to high strength alloy is called Alloy 6061.
- Alloy 6063 is quite strong.
- It is made of aluminium and has a high strength.
Typical end use applications of Aluminum Grades:
- Alloy 1100 is used for spinning metal and general fabrication. Alloy 2011 is used for general machining.
- Uses for Alloy 2024 in Aerospace
- For general fabrication, Alloy 3003 is used for food and chemical equipment.
- Alloy 5052 is used in marine applications and for general fabrication. Alloy 6061 is used for structural applications and for general fabrication. Alloy 6063 is used in architecture.
- Uses for Alloy 7075 in Aerospace
Choosing the correct grade of aluminium for your project will be considerably easier if you are knowledgeable with the different types of aluminium and their unique properties. There are many different applications for aluminium, including construction, chemical processing, production, and metalworking, as we have seen. Reason being, different grades offer different benefits, like increased stress resistance, reduced wear and tear, enhanced ductility, and a longer lasting finish.
Conclusion
Aluminium is a common and abundant metal, with various forms and mechanical properties. It is classified into three main grades: 1100, 3003, and 6061. The International Alloy Designation System classifies these alloys based on their properties. Heat treatment and other working methods can alter the properties of some alloys. Alloy 1100 is ideal for commercial use due to its softness, ductility, and workability. It is also used in chemical and food processing industries due to its exceptional corrosion resistance.
Alloy 2011 is a high-strength aluminum alloy known for its mechanical strength and machining capabilities, making it ideal for projects carried out on automatic lathes. It is also known as Free Machining Alloy (FMA) and is used in various applications such as structural engineering, aerospace, and automotive.
Alloy 2024 is a high-strength aluminium alloy with exceptional fatigue resistance and high strength, often used in applications requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio. It can be machined to a high finish with heat treatment if necessary. However, it has poor corrosion resistance. Anodized or clad 2024 is the material of choice when this is a concern.
Alloy 3003 is the most widely used aluminium alloy due to its 20% strength and ability to weld, braze, or deep draw. Alloy 5052 has the highest strength and higher fatigue strength, making it popular for maritime applications. Alloy 6061 is the heat-treatable aluminium alloy with the greatest versatility, offering excellent workability and resistance to corrosion.
Alloy 6063 is an architectural alloy with good finishing qualities, high corrosion resistance, and high tensile properties, used in various architectural trim and applications. It is ideal for heavily stressed components due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
When choosing an aluminium grade, consider factors such as welding ability, corrosion resistance, heat treatment, size and strength, and common applications for end use. Aluminum grades have different strengths and applications, including construction, chemical processing, production, and metalworking. Understanding the different types of aluminium and their unique properties can help make the right choice for your project.
Content Summary
- This article will discuss the various forms of aluminium, how they work mechanically, and what kinds of things they are most commonly used for.
- Currently, there are several grading systems used to classify the various alloys that can be worked with aluminium.
- There are a variety of uses and applications for aluminium due to the fact that different grades have different properties.
- Heat treatment and other forms of working can further alter the properties of some alloys.
- In this article, we will discuss the differences between aluminum and give some other recommendations on what to use for your next project.
- The various grades of aluminium should be familiarised with first.
- There are three main varieties of aluminium: 1100, 3003, and 6061.
- Alloy 2024: This high-strength aluminium alloy is among the most popular choices.
- Used frequently in applications requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio due to its exceptional fatigue resistance and high strength.
- Alloy 6061: The heat-treatable aluminium alloy with the greatest versatility, retaining most of aluminum's desirable properties.
- Used most frequently in a wide variety of architectural trim and applications, both inside and out.
- Alloy 7075: You won't find an aluminium alloy with more strength than this.
- It is ideal for heavily stressed components due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
- The annealed condition allows for the formation of this grade, which can then be heat treated if necessary.
- You can also use spot or flash welding on it, though arc and gas aren't ideal.
- Grade: Strength the ability to shape or work Corrosion in Machining Fight back Easy to weld Heating and treating Size and Strength Common applications for end useCheck This Guide Weldability of the Aluminum Alloy 1100 is very easy to weld.
- Lack of Weldability in Alloy 2011 Lack of Weldability for Alloy 2024 Alloy 3003 is very easy to weld.
- Alloy 5052: Easy to weld.
- Alloy 6061: Easy to weld.
- Alloy 6063: Easy to weld.
- Welding is hard to do with alloy 7075Machining of the Aluminum As long as you hard temper it, alloy 1100 is easy to work with.
- Alloy 2011: Very Easy to Machine It's not easy to machine alloy 2024; it works best when it's been annealed.
- Alloy 3003 is easy to machine.
- Alloy 6063: Fairly Easy to Machine Alloy 7075 is pretty easy to machine (best when annealed).
- Corrosion Resistance of the Aluminum Alloy 1100: Very Good Resistance to Corrosion Poor Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 2011
- Poor Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 2024 Good Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 3003 Alloy 5052 has great corrosion resistance and is often used in marine settings.
- Excellent Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 6061. Good Resistance to Corrosion for Alloy 6063 Alloy 7075 has average resistance to corrosion.
- Alloy 1100: Heat treatment doesn't work on it For Alloy 2011, you can heat treat it.
- It is possible to heat treat alloy 2024.
- Alloy 2011 is a strong metal alloy to work with.
- Alloy 2024 is an aluminium alloy with a high strength.
- This is alloy 5052, which is medium to high strength.
- A medium to high strength alloy is called Alloy 6061.
- It is made of aluminium and has a high strength.
- Typical end use applications of Aluminum Grades: Alloy 1100 is used for spinning metal and general fabrication.
- Alloy 2011 is used for general machining.
- Uses for Alloy 2024 in Aerospace For general fabrication, Alloy 3003 is used for food and chemical equipment.
- Choosing the correct grade of aluminium for your project will be considerably easier if you are knowledgeable with the different types of aluminium and their unique properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grades 6061, 7075, 5052, 2024, and 3003 are the most popular aluminium alloys. The general fabrication, aerospace, and automotive sectors are just a few examples of the many uses for the various grades.
6061 aluminium has good mechanical properties, is very malleable, and is very easy to weld. Construction, automotive, and marine are among its most common uses. It is perfect for structural components due to its balanced strength-to-weight ratio.
The exceptional strength of 7075 aluminium is comparable to that of numerous steels. Its strength makes it a popular choice for aerospace and military components, among other uses. But compared to other grades, it's more expensive and less weldable.
The exceptional formability and resistance to corrosion make 5052 aluminium a highly sought-after material. Its resistance to saltwater makes it a popular choice for marine applications, fuel tanks, and other chemical handling equipment, among other places.
Aluminium is mainly utilised in aerospace applications, such as aircraft structures, due to its high strength and fatigue resistance.
Ductwork and fuel tanks are just two examples of the many sheet metal uses for 3003 Aluminium, which is well-known for its resistance to corrosion, formability, and welding.