Aluminum | Aluminum Supplier

1100 is commercially “pure” aluminum. It’s 99% aluminum composition lends this grade soft and workable. It is also has high electrical and thermal conductivity and excellent resistance to corrosion.

This manganese alloy shows an excellent combination of formability and corrosion resistance with good strength levels between the 1xxx and 5xxx series.

Similar to 3003, this alloy shows good strength, corrosion resistance, and formability. It’s commonly purposed for beverage cans and non-structural automotive components.

3105 is a non-heat treatable alloy with good weldability that is frequently purposed in residential siding, trailers, and signage.

This grade is excellent for decorative applications and can be easily anodized. It is not intended for applications where strength is critical.

This magnesium alloy is similar to 5052 in that it has good corrosion resistance, weldability, and is easy to form thought it has higher hardness. It is commonly seen in shipbuilding.

This is a moderate strength alloy with good formability, weldability, and resistance to corrosion. In automotive applications, you’ll see it used in interior and exterior bracketry. It is also commonly used for kitchen equipment and bulk processing equipment.

5083 shows excellent resistance in seawater and other highly corrosive environments. Warm metal forming for complex automotive shapes and shipbuilding.

This is a non-heat treatable alloy best suitable for marine environments. It shows good strength, weldability, machinability, and corrosion resistance.

This is the most common of the 5xxx series alloys to be used for automotive structural applications. It has high strength and formability, and is also often seen in the construction industry.

This grade is common in the food processing, automotive, and aviation industries. It has lower strength than some of the other 5xxx series alloys but shows high fatigue strength and is easy to weld.

This is a common wrought alloy for structural automotive applications. It can be easily roll formed, extruded, and forged.

6061 is one of the most commonly extruded alloys. It has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, machinability, weldability and can be anodized.

6063 is utilized across a range of industries for fabrication projects requiring good strength and  corrosion resistance. It is one of the most popular alloys for extrusion It is most ideal for architectural trim.

This high strength, heat treatable, impact and corrosion resistant alloy primarily used for load bearing framework in automotive applications, cranes and bridges.

This alloy has some of the best surface finishing characteristics. This, in addition to good strength, corrosion resistance, and good weldability makes it suitable for exterior automotive paneling.

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An excellent aluminum provider offers a range of aluminum products in various grades, formats, and finishes. They utilize the most advanced technologies and machinery and are knowledgeable about their product lines.

Partnerships with trustworthy manufacturers showcase an unwavering commitment to abide by strict manufacturing processes, and technical requirements. Being able to answer questions regarding specific product qualities like chemical properties and mechanical properties is as important as asking pointed questions to best understand exactly what the ultimate end use is for the aluminum, ensuring the best format and services are recommended.

Attention to detail is a key characteristic of a superb aluminum supplier.  A thorough understanding of how to properly handle, transport, and store all aluminum products is critical and timely and transparent communication should be consistent, especially in the event of product delivery delays, mishaps, or shortages.

To learn more, read our detailed blog post about what to look for in an aluminum supplier.

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There is quite a range in compositions for aluminum, in large part due to the fact that it is easily alloyed. Of the 7 main alloy series, the main alloying elements are: manganese, magnesium, copper, silicon, and zinc. They are utilized in various proportions for each specific grade. Each of these main alloying elements lend themselves to different mechanical and chemical properties.

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In its solid form the theoretical density based on lattice spacing is 2,699 kg/m3 and is 2,697-2,699 kg/m3 for polycrystalline material. As for the liquid density of pure aluminum, it is 2,357 kg/m3 at 973K and 2,304 kg/m3 at 1173K.

To learn more, read our detailed blog post about why the density of aluminum is important.

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It does not rust. However, it does corrode when exposed to salt.

To learn more, read our blog post which further dives into aluminum oxidation and corrosion resistance.

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There are a number of considerations when deciding which metal to use. Some standout characteristics for aluminum include its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, which make it a light and durable material, as well as its malleability which makes it easy to form. Compared to aluminum, stainless steel is more heat resistant and lower maintenance.

Consider reading our blog post which further examines when to use aluminum vs stainless steel.

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Aluminum has been popularized in automotive applications since the early 20th century. Due to high strengths, lightweight character, superior finishing characteristics, and corrosion resistance it is used often in automotive manufacturing for a range of auto components. This includes engines, interior and exterior auto body paneling, heat exchangers, insulation, and countless others. To see which aluminum grades are most commonly associated with vehicle manufacturing, and where in cars you’ll find them, check out our infographic guide to automotive aluminum sheet.

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Achieved through precipitation hardening, T6 6061 aluminum is the most popular aluminum grade for a number of key reasons. Tempering 6061 increases its strength, hardness, weldability, formability, and toughness. It’s seen across industries in structural applications, and where strength, durability, and lightweight materials are required.

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Put simply, supply and demand drives pricing. However, the factors affecting aluminum pricing also include mining and materials processing, the cost of electricity, commodity specific events, industry trends, international trade in the world economy, and disturbances due to climate change.

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The most popular alloys emphasize aluminum’s key feature: it is strong and also lightweight. However, because aluminum can be easily alloyed with many different elements, there are over 530 registered aluminum alloys! Each grade distinctly emphasizes certain sought-after characteristics – like corrosion resistance, strength, ductility, or electrical conductivity – so the use of aluminum has expanded into practically every industry. Our guide to the most popular aluminum alloys identifies some of the most popular grades, and why. They include 1100, 3003, and 6061.