Aluminum Product Guide
Aluminum is the most commonly used and commercially available metal, next to steel. Its light weight and high strength-to-weight ratio make it a good choice for everything from bicycles, to airplanes, to machine tooling.
Pure aluminum, primarily seen in the 1000 series of wrought aluminum alloys, has little strength, but possesses high electrical conductivity, reflectivity, and corrosion resistance. For this reason a wide variety of aluminum alloys have been developed.
2011 Aluminum
2011 is the most machinable of the commonly available aluminum alloys. Machining this alloy can produce excellent surface finishes.
Weldability, strength, and anodizing response are all rated as average at best, and this alloy does not have a high degree of corrosion resistance.
If the ability to make your part quickly is important to you, and strength is not the primary desire, 2011 can be a good choice.
| 2011-T3 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi | 55,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi | 43,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 95 | |
| Rockwell Hardness | B60 | |
| Chemistry | Aluminum (Al) | 91.2 - 94.6% |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0.2 - 0.6% | |
| Copper (Cu) | 5.0 - 6.0% | |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.7% max | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.1 - 2.9% | |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.2 - 0.6% | |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.4% max |
2024 Aluminum
In 2024 Copper is the main alloying ingredient. It is very strong compared to most aluminum alloys and has average machinability. The copper component of this alloy makes it susceptible to corrosion; many items in this alloy are produced with a clad surface to protect the underlying material. In addition, 2024 is not considered to be a weldable alloy.
Finally, the fatigue resistance of 2024 makes it a primary choice when the application is expected to be under stress or strain for prolonged periods. It is commonly used in aerospace applications.
| 2024-T3 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi | 70,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi | 50,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 120 | |
| Rockwell Hardness | B75 | |
| Chemistry | Aluminum (Al) | 90.7 - 94.7% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.1% max | |
| Copper (Cu) | 3.8 - 4.9% | |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.5% max | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 1.2 - 1.8% | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 - 0.9% | |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.5% max |
5052 Aluminum
5052 is the alloy most suited to forming fabrication, with good workability and higher strength than that of the 1100 or 3003 alloys that are commercially available.
5052 is not heat-treatable, but is stronger than most of the 5000 series of alloys. It has very good corrosion resistance, and can be easily welded. 5052 is not a good choice for extensive machining operations, as it has only a fair machinability rating.
| 5052-H32 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi | 33,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi | 28,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 60 | |
| Chemistry | Aluminum (Al) | 95.7 - 97.7% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 - 0.35% | |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.1% max | |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.4% max | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.2 - 2.8% | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.1% max | |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25% max |
6005A Aluminum
6005A is a versatile alloy that can be used for structural and architectural applications. This particular alloy is commonly used in automotive, industrial, electrical and equipment industries. It can also be used to produce standard and custom shapes extruded for solid or hollow designs.
As a medium strength alloy, 6005A-T61 temper has mechanical properties similar to 6061T6. 6005A has improved toughness characteristics compared to 6005 and 6105 and the chemical composition of 6005A provides improved extendability compared to 6061 alloy. 6005A should not be confused with 6005 due to a difference in the amount of manganese and chromium content. 6005A-T1, T5, T61 tempers are included in ASTM B221, ASTM B241, and ASTM B429 specifications.
6005A provides good corrosion resistance and finishing characteristics for anodizing and painting. Alloy 6005A is weldable and can be brazed using various commercial methods. Consult a material safety sheet for proper safety and handling precautions when using 6005A alloy.
6005A-T6 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Physical and Machanical Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, Psi | 38,000 |
| Yield Strength, Psi | 35,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 95 | |
| Rockwell Hardness | ||
| Chemistry | Si | .5-.9% |
| Fe | .35% | |
| Cu | .30% | |
| Mn | .50% | |
| Mg | .40-.70% | |
| Cr | .30% | |
| Zn | .20% | |
| Ti | .10% |
6061 Aluminum
6061 aluminum is the most commonly used aluminum alloy. It is specified in most any application due to its strength, heat treatability, easy machinability, and weldability. It is also capable of being anodized, adding a layer of protection for finished parts.
The main alloy ingredients of 6061 aluminum are magnesium and silicon.
| 6061-T6 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Physical and Mechanical Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi | 45,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi | 40,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 95 | |
| Rockwell Hardness | B60 | |
| Chemistry | Aluminum (Al) | 95.8 - 98.6% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.04 - 0.35% | |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.15 - 0.40% | |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.70% | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.8 - 1.2% | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.15% max | |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.4 - 0.8% | |
| Zinc (Zn) | Zinc (Zn) | 0.25% |
6063 Aluminum
6063 is often called architectural aluminum for two reasons: first, it has a surface finish that is far smoother than the other commercially available alloys; and second, its strength is significantly less, (roughly half the strength of 6061), making it better suited for applications where strength is not the foremost consideration.
6063 is rated as “Good” for forming and cold working operations, “Excellent” for anodizing, and “Fair” for machining.
| 6063-T52 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi | 27,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi | 21,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 60 | |
| Chemistry | Aluminum (Al) | 97.5% max |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.1% max | |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.1% max | |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.35% max | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 - 0.90% | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.1% max | |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.2 - 0.6% |
7075 Aluminum
7075 is the other “aircraft grade” aluminum. Its principal alloying ingredients are zinc and copper, this makes it one of the highest-strength aluminum alloys that are available. In fact, its typical strength in the T6 temper is higher than most mild steels.
7075 also has average-to-good ratings for machinability, corrosion resistance, and anodizing response. Like 2024, however, it is not considered to be weldable.
| 7075-T6 Aluminum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Physical and Mechanical Properties | Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi | 83,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi | 73,000 | |
| Brinell Hardness | 150 | |
| Rockwell Hardness | B87 | |
| Chemistry | Aluminum (Al) | 87.1 - 91.4% |
| Zinc (Zn) | 5.1 - 6.1% max | |
| Copper (Cu) | 1.2 - 2.0% | |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.18 - 0.28% | |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.5 max | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.1 - 2.9% | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3% max |
Alcobra Metals states that all technical data is for comparison purposes only and is NOT FOR DESIGN. It has been compiled from sources we believe to be accurate but cannot guarantee. Please consult an Engineer.