ALUMINUM

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ALUMINUM ALLOYS
 
1100 - Aluminum 1100 is low-strength alloy has excellent corrosion-resistance, has satisfactory anodizing and conversion coating finishing characteristics, and is unmatched by any other commercial aluminum alloy in workability. Aluminum 1100 lends itself readily to welding, brazing and soldering, but tends toward gumminess when machined. Typical end uses are spun holloware, fin stock, chemical storage, and processing equipment, kitchen utensil items, and general sheet metal work.

3003 - Aluminum 3003 is about 20% higher in strength than aluminum 1100 but retaining an excellent workability rating. May show some slight discoloration when anodized, but reacts well to mechanical and organic finishings. Aluminum 3003 is easily welded and brazed, but soldering is limited to the torch method. Like 1100, tends to be gummy when machined, but will perform somewhat satisfactorily in the higher tempers with the proper set-up and maximum speeds. Typical end uses include food and chemical handling equipment, appliance components, truck/trailer roofing, heat exchangers, pipe jacketing and lawn furniture components.

5005 - Aluminum 3005 is comparable to aluminum 3003 in strength and close to it in formability, but this alloy has superior finishing characteristics making it much better for anodizing. Excellent corrosion-resistance and weldability. It would rate somewhat below aluminum 1100 and 3003 for brazing and soldering, and it is not the alloy one would choose for machinability. Typical end uses are decorative trim, utensils, mobile home siding and reflectors.

5052 - For many years, until the advent of aluminum 5083 and 5086, aluminum 5052 alloy was the highest strength non-heat-treatable alloy commercially available. Although easily welded, it is not recommended for brazing and soldering applications. Excellent corrosion-resistance, particularly in marine applications, and adapts to most mechanical and finishing processes although the heavier anodic films may take on a yellowish cast. Fair machining with proper set-up. Typical end uses of aluminum 5052 include fuel tanks, truck-trailer side panels, small boat hulls, truck cabs, bumpers, storage tanks and pressure vessels.

5083 - Aluminum 5083 has excellent corrosion-resistance and weldability, together with high strength. The Aluminum 5083 alloy was designed for welded structures requiring maximum joint strength and efficiency. Aluminum 5083 can be anodized for increased corrosion-resistance, but does not lend itself to decorative applications. Not meant to be a machining alloy, aluminum 5083 can be machined fairly well with proper preparations. because of its relatively high magnesium content, the workability rating would be only fair. Typical end uses are large marine craft, containers, railroad cars, structurals and elevator cars.

  5086 - Aluminum 5086 has excellent corrosion-resistance and weldability. Can be anodized for increased corrosion-resistance, but does not lend itself to decorative applications. Not meant to be a machining alloy, but can be machined fairly well with proper applications. Because of its relatively high magnesium content, the workability rating would be only fair. Typical end uses for aluminum 5086 are marine craft, containers, railroad cars, structurals and elevator cars.

5383 - The aluminum 5383 alloy offers a 15% higher welded strength than standard aluminum 5083 and may be used wherever a stronger welded aluminum structure is desired, from hulls to superstructures. Marine structures benefit from the excellent corrosion-resistance offered by aluminum 5383. Smaller boats (< 168 ft) benefit from improved scantlings, which translate into structural weight savings on patrol craft, increased strength on work boats and added interior space in luxury yachts. Larger vessels (> 168ft ) profit from the increased strength and improved fatigue behavior of the aluminum 5383 alloy. Cruise ship superstructures can be lightened further while improving stability and not compromising strength or corrosion-resistance.

5456 - Aluminum 5456 is the highest in strength of the commercially available non-heat-treatable alloys with excellent corrosion-resistance. Only fair workability and machinability, but excellent weldability. Aluminum 5456 is not recommended for brazing or soldering. Typical end uses are high-strength welded structures, marine components, pressure vessels and storage tanks.

6061 - Aluminum 6061 has very good corrosion-resistance and finishability plus excellent weldability and a strength level approximating that of mild steel, this is a popular general-purpose alloy. Machinability is good and, in the annealed state, its workability carries a high rating, staying at the "good" level if heat-treated without aging. Typical end uses for aluminum 6061 are aircraft landing mats, large and small marine vessels, structural architectural parts, storage tanks and highway signs.

6063 - Aluminum 6063 is a heat-treatable alloy developed exclusively for the extrusion industry and the most important alloy in the magnesium silicide group. Its as-extruded finish is quite good making it satisfactory for many applications without any additional work. Aluminum 6063 lends itself to comparatively intricate sections making it the leading architectural extrusion alloy. Aluminum 6063 also finds use in some decorative applications, furniture tubing and ladder parts.

     
ALUMINUM TEMPERS
"H" temper-non-heat-treatable alloys / strain-hardened
 
H14 - Aluminum H14 is a strain hardened (cold worked) without thermal treatment and 1/2 hard.

H22 - Aluminum H22 is a strain hardened and partially annealed, 1/4 hard.

H32 - Aluminum H32 is a strain hardened and stabilized by low temperature heating, 1/4 hard.

H34 - Aluminum H34 is a strain hardened and stabilized by low temperature heating, 1/2 hard.

  H111 - Aluminum H111 applies to products which are strain-hardened less than the amount required for a controlled H11 temper.

H112 - Aluminum H112 applies to products which acquire some temper from shaping processes not having special control over the amount of strain-hardening or thermal treatment, but for which there are mechanical property limits.

H116 - Aluminum H116 applies to products manufactured from alloys in the 5xxx series, for which the magnesium content is 3% nominal or more. Products are normally strain hardened at the last operation to specified stable tensile property limits and meet specified levels of corrosion-resistance in accelerated type corrosion tests. They are suitable for continuous service at temperatures no greater than 150°F (66°C). Corrosion tests include inter-granular and exfoliation.

     

"T" temper-heat-treatable-alloys / thermally treated
 
t-treatable-alloys / thermally treated

T6 - T6 aluminum is a solution heat-treated and artificially aged. A stable temper.

T52 - Stress-relieved by compressing. Applies to products which are stress-relieved by compressing after solution heat-treatment, to produce a permanent set of 1 to 5 percent.

 

T651 - T651 aluminum is a solution heat treated, stress-relieved by stretching and artificially aged. Equivalent to T6 and applies to plate and rolled bar except 2219

T6511 - T6511 aluminum is a solution heat treated, stress-relieved by stretching and artificially aged with minor straightening. Equivalent to T6 aluminum and applies to extruded rod, bar and shapes except 2024.

   

Information provided on this website is for general information purposes only and subject to alteration without notice. Alaskan Copper & Brass Company and Alaskan Copper Works do not accept responsibility for errors or for information which is found to be misleading. Suggestions for or descriptions of the end use or application of products or methods of working are for information only and the company and its subsidiaries accept no liability in respect thereof. Before using products supplied or manufactured by the company, customers should satisfy themselves of their suitability.