Things To Keep In Mind Before Choosing An Aluminium Grade

By Author: Jeeten Gupta
Total Articles: 710
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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