aluminium
Material Range
aluminium
Aluminum is a silver-colored, low density metal. Aluminium offers a rare combination of valuable properties. It is one of the lightest metals in the world: it’s almost three times lighter than iron but it’s also very strong, extremely flexible and corrosion resistant because its surface is always covered in an extremely thin and yet very strong layer of oxide film. It doesn’t magnetize, it’s a great electricity conductor and forms alloys with practically all other metals.
Characteristics
The low density of this metal results in its extensive use in the aerospace industry, and in other transportation fields. Its resistance to corrosion leads to its use in food and chemical handling (cookware, pressure vessels, etc.) and to architectural uses.
applications
It finds use in a huge variety of commercial applications. The Unalloyed type is ductile, exhibits moderate strength, and is very resistant to corrosion under most circumstances. Aluminum can be dramatically strengthened by the addition of appropriate alloying elements (Cu, Mg, Mn, Si, etc.) and subsequent heat/work treatments. It is commonly used in both wrought and cast forms.
Grades
1000 SERIES
1000 series are essentially pure aluminium with a minimum 99% aluminium content by weight and can be work hardened. Aluminium-1100
2000 SERIES
2000 series are alloyed with copper, can be precipitation hardened to strengths comparable to steel. Formerly referred to as duralumin, they were once the most common aerospace alloys, but were susceptible to stress corrosion cracking and are increasingly replaced by 7000 series in new designs. Aluminium-2024
3000 SERIES
3000 series are alloyed with manganese, and can be work hardened.
Aluminium-3003
5000 SERIES
5000 series are alloyed with magnesium, and offer superb corrosion resistance, making them suitable for marine applications. Also, 5083 alloy has the highest strength of not heat-treated alloys. Most 5000 series alloys include manganese as well. Aluminium-5052
6000 SERIES
6000 series are alloyed with magnesium and silicon. They are easy to machine, are weldable, and can be precipitation hardened, but not to the high strengths that 2000 and 7000 can reach. 6061 alloy is one of the most commonly used general-purpose aluminium alloys. Aluminium-6061, Aluminium-6063
7000 SERIES
7000 series are alloyed with zinc, and can be precipitation hardened to the highest strengths of any aluminium alloy (ultimate tensile strength up to 700 MPa for the 7068 alloy). Most 7000 series alloys include magnesium and copper as well. Aluminium-7075
8000 SERIES
8000 series are alloyed with other elements which are not covered by other series. Aluminium-lithium alloys are an example.