Aluminum grades

Commercially pure aluminium (99.5% min Al). Excellent corrosion resistance, thermal and electrical conductivity. Very soft and easily formed. Used for chemical plant equipment, food industry, reflectors, heat exchangers, electrical conductors, and decorative trim.

Commercially pure aluminum (99.0% min Al). Excellent corrosion resistance, highest thermal and electrical conductivity among common alloys, and outstanding formability. Very low strength — not for structural applications. Used for chemical equipment, heat exchangers, fin stock, name plates, reflectors, and food/pharmaceutical packaging.

Commercially pure aluminum (99.0% min Al) — the European variant of 1100. Slightly different Si/Fe impurity limits. Same excellent corrosion resistance, conductivity, and formability. Used for heat exchanger fins, foil, chemical equipment, and general sheet applications where high conductivity and corrosion resistance matter more than strength.

The original free-cutting aluminum alloy. Al-Cu with Pb+Bi additions for chip-breaking — the highest machinability rating of any Al alloy. Being phased out in EU for RoHS compliance (Pb content). Replaced by 6026 (Bi only) or 6082 in new designs. Still widely used in US/Asia. Used for high-volume screw machine products, precision bushings, fittings, and instruments.

High-strength Al-Cu alloy, heat-treatable to high strength levels. Good machinability in T6. Poor corrosion resistance (needs cladding or anodizing). Used for heavy-duty forgings, truck wheels, aircraft structures, and general high-strength structural applications. One of the oldest aerospace Al alloys.

The original "Duralumin" — historically the first high-strength aluminium alloy. Cu-Mg composition with natural aging (T4). Good machinability and moderate strength. Largely superseded by 2024 and 7xxx alloys for aerospace, but still widely used for screw-machine parts, hydraulic fittings, and structural rivets.

THE aerospace aluminum alloy — Al-Cu-Mg, introduced by Alcoa in 1931 as "Dural". Excellent fatigue resistance and damage tolerance. T3: UTS 400-470 MPa, good natural aging. Not weldable, poor corrosion resistance (often Alclad). Used for aircraft fuselage skins, wing skins, structural members under tension, ribs, and frames. Also: hydraulic valve bodies, gears, computer parts.

Classic high-strength aerospace aluminium alloy (Al-Cu-Mg). Excellent fatigue resistance — the standard choice for aircraft fuselage skins and wing tension members. Poor corrosion resistance and weldability. Often supplied with Alclad cladding for corrosion protection. In use since 1931.

THE weldable aerospace Al-Cu alloy — Cu 5.8-6.8%, no Mg. Unique among 2xxx: fully weldable (unlike 2024/2014). Retains strength from -250°C to +315°C. Used for Space Shuttle external tank, Saturn V fuel tanks, and cryogenic vessels. T87: UTS 455 MPa. Also used for supersonic aircraft skins and high-temperature structural applications up to 315°C.

Al-Mn general purpose alloy — Mn 1.0-1.5%. ~20% stronger than 1100 pure Al with similar excellent formability, corrosion resistance, and weldability. Non-heat-treatable. THE cooking/food industry aluminum: pots, pans, beverage cans, heat exchangers, chemical equipment, and general sheet metal. Also used for roofing, siding, and storage tanks.

The most widely used manganese aluminium alloy. ~20% stronger than 1050A with similar formability and corrosion resistance. Non-heat-treatable. Used for heat exchangers, cooking utensils, pressure vessels, chemical equipment, and architectural trim.

Al-Mn-Mg alloy — THE beverage can body material. Mn 1.0-1.5% + Mg 0.8-1.3% give moderate strength (UTS 240-280 H19) with excellent formability for deep drawing and ironing. ~200 billion cans/year worldwide. Also used for roofing sheet, color-coated panels, and storage tanks. Stronger than 3003 due to Mg addition.

Al-Mn-Mg alloy with slightly higher strength than 3003. Good formability and corrosion resistance. Not heat-treatable. Commonly used for building products, mobile homes/trailers, bottle caps, and general sheet metal applications. Intermediate between 3003 and 5005 in the strength hierarchy.

Near-eutectic Al-Si brazing alloy — Si 11-13%. Lowest melting point (~577°C eutectic) in the Al-Si system = ideal brazing filler. Superior fluidity and joint fill vs 4043 (5% Si). Used as brazing sheet clad layer and wire for CAB (Controlled Atmosphere Brazing) of heat exchangers, radiators, evaporators, and condensers. Also used for welding Al-Si castings.

Low-Mg 5xxx alloy with excellent anodizing response — produces a clear, uniform anodized finish. Similar strength to 3003. Used for architectural panels, anodized trim, appliance trim, and general sheet applications where appearance after anodizing matters.

General-purpose Al-Mg alloy — Mg 2.2-2.8%. Good balance of formability, corrosion resistance, and moderate strength (UTS 210-260 H32). Non-heat-treatable — strengthened by cold work. THE most widely used 5xxx alloy globally by tonnage. Used for sheet metal work, fuel tanks, marine components, appliances, lighting, and general fabrication. Excellent weldability.

Medium-strength non-heat-treatable aluminium with excellent corrosion resistance and good weldability. Lower Mg than 5083/5754 for better formability. Used for marine components, fuel tanks, appliances, electronic chassis, and general sheet metal.

Highest-strength non-heat-treatable marine aluminum — Mg 5.0-6.0% + Mn 0.6-1.2%. ~15% stronger than 5083 in equivalent temper. Developed by Corus (now Tata Steel) specifically for fast ferry and naval vessel hulls. Trade name: Alustar. Excellent seawater resistance and weldability. Used for high-speed craft hulls, naval vessels, LNG containment, and offshore structures where 5083 strength is insufficient.

The highest-strength non-heat-treatable aluminum alloy. Al-Mg4.5-Mn with outstanding seawater and industrial chemical resistance. Retains exceptional strength after welding (unlike 6xxx/7xxx). ASTM B928 certified for marine service. THE shipbuilding aluminum — also used for rail cars, pressure vessels, cryogenic tanks, truck bodies, and LNG applications. Available O, H111, H116, H321 tempers.

The highest-strength non-heat-treatable aluminium alloy. Excellent corrosion resistance (especially seawater), good weldability. Standard alloy for shipbuilding, offshore, pressure vessels, cryogenic applications, and armour plate. Not for continuous service above 65°C under stress (SCC risk).

Marine-grade aluminium alloy with excellent seawater corrosion resistance. Higher Mg than 5052 but slightly lower than 5083 for a good strength/weldability balance. Used for shipbuilding hulls, tanks, unfired pressure vessels, and cryogenic equipment.

Al-Mg alloy — Mg 3.1-3.9%. Between 5052 (Mg 2.2-2.8%) and 5083 (Mg 4.0-4.9%) in strength. Good weldability and corrosion resistance. Approved for unfired pressure vessels (EN 13445, ASME VIII). Used for chemical storage tanks, pressure vessels, transport tankers, and marine fittings. Also used for H2 storage vessels and architectural panels.

One of the strongest non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloys. 4.5% Mg + 0.35% Mn. THE standard alloy for beverage can lids/pull tabs (H48 temper). Also used for automotive body panels (hoods, doors), fuel tanks, and marine components. Excellent corrosion resistance and formability.

THE magnesium-aluminum welding filler wire — Mg 4.5-5.5% + Cr 0.05-0.20%. Together with 4043, accounts for the vast majority of all Al welding wire sold. ER5356/AlMg5Cr(A). Better color match after anodizing than 4043 (no dark spots). Higher weld strength than 4043. Used for MIG/TIG welding of 5xxx and 6xxx base alloys. THE filler for marine, structural, and anodized applications.