Aluminium is considered a material of the future and is popular across almost every industry. Not only is it environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable, but it also possesses various characteristics that make it versatile for different applications.
Currently, the American Aluminium Association has classified extruded aluminium into series represented by four-digit numbers based on their composition, each suited for different applications:
1xxx Series (Pure Aluminium)
Aluminium with a purity of at least 99.00%, such as grades 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018.
- Key Characteristics: Moderate strength but excellent thermal and electrical conductivity.
- Applications: Used for electrical conductors in factories and various electronic devices.
2xxx Series (Alloys with Copper)
Copper alloyed aluminium, such as grades 1100, 1050, 1070, 1200.
- Key Characteristics: High strength but less resistant to atmospheric corrosion.
- Applications: Used in aircraft parts, automotive structures, and components.
3xxx Series (Alloys with Manganese)
Manganese alloyed aluminium, such as grades 3003, 3004, 3105.
- Key Characteristics: Resistant to temperature and corrosion, highly flexible, easily cut, bent, or welded.
- Applications: Automotive parts, electrical appliances, cooling equipment, beverage cans and lids.
4xxx Series (Alloys with Silicon)
Silicon alloyed aluminium, such as grades 4032, 4043, 4145, 4643.
- Key Characteristics: High strength, easy to cast.
- Applications: Used for manufacturing pistons for aircraft or in applications requiring detailed molds due to excellent flow properties and low susceptibility to cracking.
5xxx Series (Alloys with Magnesium)
Magnesium alloyed aluminium, such as grades 5005, 5052, 5083, 5086.
- Key Characteristics: Moderate strength but highly resistant to environmental conditions and corrosion, even in marine environments.
- Applications: Marine vessels, structural work near the sea.
6xxx Series (Alloys with Silicon and Magnesium)
Silicon and magnesium alloyed aluminium, such as grades 6061, 6063.
- Key Characteristics: Excellent strength and corrosion resistance, easy to extrude, good welding characteristics.
- Applications: Door and window frames, architectural aluminium, automotive parts.
7xxx Series (Alloys with Zinc)
Zinc alloyed aluminium, such as grades 7075, 7050, 7049.
- Key Characteristics: High strength and durability.
- Applications: Aircraft manufacturing, heavy machinery.-
8xxx Series (Other Elements)
Aluminium alloyed with other elements such as Nickel, Titanium, Chromium, Lead, for instance, grades 8006, 8111, 8079.
- Key Characteristics: Higher strength and durability compared to other aluminium grades.
- Applications: Used in manufacturing military aircraft parts or structures requiring high strength.
Each aluminium grade has unique characteristics. Choosing the appropriate grade according to the requirements will help meet application needs effectively and cost-efficiently.
Alumet provides a wide range of aluminium grades based on customer requirements to ensure that the products are effective and meet the intended application purposes.
