Aluminum Alloy Numbers

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Aluminum Alloy Numbers

   These numbers refer to a specific chemical composition of the aluminum alloy - the "recipe" of the metal. Pure aluminum is not a very useful product in any structural work - aluminum products almost without exception are produced from batches of pure aluminum mixed with a number of alloying elements that have been carefully specified by metallurgists in order to maximize particular characteristics of the finished metal. For example, an aluminum alloy that is easily extruded, may be difficult to machine, or an alloy that machines well, may be difficult to weld, etc. This is why there are so may different products in so many different alloys.

The Aluminum Alloys

   Alloy 1100

           A low strength but very workable alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. It is not heat treatable. It is easily welded, however it is soft, and spalls when machined. 

       1100-O: Annealed (or "soft", bendable condition)

       1100-H14: Strain hardened

   Alloy 2011

           A free machining, heat treatable alloy, with fair corrosion resistance, but not very easily welded.

        2011-T3: Heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged

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   Alloy 2024

          Heat treatable with high strength, good machinability and fair corrosion resistance. It welds very poorly.

        2024-O: Annealed (or "soft", bendable condition)

        2024-T3: Heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged

        2024-T351: Heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged

   Alloy 3003

           This alloy is not heat treatable but welds very well and has very good workability. Like alloy 1100 it is somewhat soft and difficult to machine.

        3003-H14: Strain hardened

        3003-H22: Strain hardened, partially annealed

   Alloy 5005

            Poor machinability, good workability and welds very well. It finishes very well, and offers excellent corrosion resistance.

        5005-H34: Strain-hardened and stabilized

       

   Alloy 5052

           Strong, not heat treatable, easily welded, with excellent corrosion characteristics.

        5052-O: Annealed (or "soft", bendable condition)

        5052-H32: Strain-hardened and stabilized

   Alloy 5086

           Very strong, not heat treatable, with excellent corrosion resistance and good weldability.

        5086-H116: Strain-hardened only

        5086-H32: Strain-hardened and stabilized

        5086-H34: Strain-hardened and stabilized

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   Alloy 6061

           Heat treatable, easily welded,  with very good corrosion resistance and finishing characteristics. Very commonly used for architectural products

        6061-O: Annealed (or "soft", bendable condition)

        6061-T4: Heat treated and naturally aged

        6061-T6: Heat treated and artificially aged

        6061-T65: Heat treated and artificially aged

        6061-T6511: Heat treated and artificially aged

   Alloy 6063

           This heat treatable is specifically designed for extrusions, very popular for architectural shapes.

        6063-T52: Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and artificially aged

   Alloy 7050

           High strength, excellent corrosion resistence, heat treatable, and weldable, but has poor workability.

        7050-T7451: Heat treated, overaged and strengthened

   Alloy 7075

           Heat treatable, this alloy is the strongest and hardest aluminum alloy. It has good machining characteristics but is not very easliy welded nor is it very workable.

        7075-O: Annealed (or "soft", bendable condition)

        7075-T6: Heat treated and artificially aged

        7075-T651: Heat treated and artificially aged