Major Alloying Element and Its Effect on Aluminium

1000 - Aluminium 99% min. - excellent corrosion resistance, high thermal and electrical conductivity, low mechanical properties

2000 - Copper - high mechanical properties, increased yield strength, widely used aircraft alloy

3000 - Manganese - good workability and weldability, high corrosion resistance

4000 - Silicon - low melting point, widely used in welding wire, and brazing alloy

5000 - Magnesium - moderate to high strength, resistant to corrosion, used in marine environments

6000 - Magnesium / Silicon - good machinability, corrosion resistance, moderate strength

7000 - Zinc - high strength aluminum alloy, used widely in aerospace industry, and for highly stressed parts

Aluminium Association Alloy Designation System

1st digit - Identifies alloy type.

2nd digit - Identifies alloy modification. 

3rd and 4th digits - Identifies the aluminum purity.

Temper Designations, Strain-Hardened

H1 - strain-hardened only.

H2 - strain-hardened and partially annealed.

H3 - strain-hardened and stabilized by low-temperature thermal treatment.

The digit following H1, H2, or H3 indicates the temper:

2: 1/4 Hard

4: 1/2 Hard

6: 3/4 Hard

8: Full Hard

9: Extra Hard

Temper Descriptions, Heat Treating 

1100

Commercially pure aluminum, 1100 has excellent forming qualities and work hardens more slowly than other alloys. 1100 is commonly used where structural strength is not a primary requirement. It is extremely resistant to corrosion, and there­fore finds excellent utilization in the chemical, cookware, and food processing industries. It is a non-heat treatable alloy. Of all aluminum alloys, its thermal and electrical conductivity is the highest. Its weldability is the best in grade.

3003

3003 is similar to the characteristics and composition of 1100, with the exception of a greater percentage of manganese added to 3003. Manganese increases the strength by 20% over that of pure aluminum 1100. 3003 has excellent workability, weld ability and resistance to corrosion. It may be deep drawn, spun, brazed or welded. This non-heat treatable alloy is among the most commonly used alloys in industry today.

Applications: Drawn and spun parts, general sheet metal work, aircraft and helicopter farings, and equipment panels.

5052

5052 is extremely resistant to corrosion, and widely used in marine environments. It also possesses a high magnesium content, which makes it the  highest strength non-heat treatable alloy available. It has good finishing characteristics, and excellent workability. It is easily drawn or welded, and may be formed into intricate shapes.

Applications: Sheet metal parts, aircraft components and tubes, aircraft panels, helicopter components, support structure.

2024

Used in applications where formability and fatigue resistance is needed. Excellent usage in parts and structures where a high strength-to-weight ratio is desirable. Its machinability is well suited for fabricating into various shapes and finishes. 

Applications: Aircraft parts, instrument panels, covers, scientific instruments, electronic housings, Aircraft frames, fittings, and structural components. 

6061

Possesses high strength, high resist­ance to corrosion, good workability, and a wide range of mechanical properties. It is the most widely used and most heat treatable alloys. 6061 in the annealed condition offers excellent weldability and formability, and is readily disposed to furnace brazing. It can be clad to offer higher corrosion resistance. 6061-T6 is commonly used on aircraft, helicopters, race cars, and other applications where high strenght to weight ratios are needed. The alloy can be easily sourced by Teknika4.

Applications: Aircraft, helicopters, race cars, bicycles, and many other high performance applications.

7075

The addition of a higher percentage of zinc to this alloy makes 7075 one of the highest strength and hardest alloys available. It finds its most common use in the aircraft industry, especially where highly stressed parts are used. 7075 is commonly used for fittings, and structural aerospace components. The alloy can be easily sourced by Teknika4.

Applications: 7075 finds greatest utilization where extreme high strength is required, especially in the aircraft industry.

Material Abbreviations