Materials database

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.

Al-Mg alloy specifically approved for pressure vessel applications (EN 13445, ASME Section VIII). Higher Mg than 5052 (2.7% vs 2.5%) with Cr addition for SCC resistance. Max continuous service temp 149°C for welded pressure vessels. Used for road tankers, chemical storage tanks, heat exchangers, and marine structures.

Medium-strength non-heat-treatable aluminium alloy with good corrosion resistance and excellent weldability. Lower Mg than 5083 for better formability. The standard alloy for automotive body panels (inner), chemical equipment, and food industry applications.

Medium-strength heat-treatable extrusion alloy. Slightly higher strength than 6063 with comparable extrudability. The standard alloy for railway carriages, truck bodies, and structural transport extrusions. Good weldability and corrosion resistance.

Al-Mg-Si extrusion alloy — between 6063 (softer) and 6082 (stronger) in the strength range. Optimized for medium-strength extruded profiles with good surface finish. T6: UTS 260-310 MPa. THE European rail vehicle and bus body profile alloy. Also used for structural profiles (curtain walls, ladders, scaffolding), heat sinks, and general engineering extrusions.

Free-machining Al-Mg-Si alloy with Bi addition for chip-breaking. Developed as Pb-free alternative to 2011 (the traditional machining aluminum). T9 temper gives excellent machinability with good strength. Used for high-volume automatic lathe parts, precision bushings, fittings, valve bodies, and screw machine products.

The most widely extruded aluminum alloy in Europe. Lower strength than 6063 but excellent extrudability and surface quality. Used for architectural profiles (window frames, curtain walls, door frames), furniture, heat sinks, and general-purpose extrusions. T6 temper for structural use; T5 for decorative.

THE US structural aluminum alloy — AlMg1SiCu. Good strength (UTS 290 T6), excellent corrosion resistance, and good weldability. THE default choice in North America for structural and machined parts. Cu addition gives slightly better strength than 6082 in some tempers but slightly worse corrosion. Used for structural frames, bicycle frames, aircraft fittings, marine hardware, and general machined components.

The most widely used aluminium alloy in North America. Good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Heat treatable (T6). Used for structural components, automotive parts, marine fittings, bicycle frames, and general engineering. Being replaced by 6082 in European applications.

The most common extrusion alloy worldwide. Excellent surface finish, good corrosion resistance, and exceptional extrudability. The standard choice for architectural profiles (window frames, curtain walls, railings), heat sinks, and electrical enclosures.

High-strength structural aluminium alloy in the Al-Mg-Si family. One of the strongest 6xxx series alloys due to manganese addition. Replaced 6061 in many European applications. Used for trusses, bridges, cranes, transport, scaffolding, and marine applications. Heat treatable (T6/T651).

THE European structural aluminum alloy — AlSi1MgMn. Highest strength in the 6xxx series (UTS 310 T6). Excellent machinability, good weldability (but HAZ softening), and good corrosion resistance. THE default choice for structural aluminum in Europe — equivalent to what 6061 is in the US. Used for bridges, cranes, transport structures, offshore, and machined components.

Al-Mg-Si electrical conductor alloy — optimized for maximum electrical conductivity (56-57% IACS T6) while maintaining moderate strength. THE aluminum busbar and power cable alloy. Used for high-voltage busbars, electrical conductors, overhead transmission lines, transformer windings, and switchgear. Replaces copper at 1/3 the weight and lower cost per amp-meter.

Free-machining Al-Mg-Si alloy — Pb + Bi addition for chip-breaking on CNC automatics. Same base as 6061 but optimized for high-speed screw machine production. T9: UTS 390-410 MPa. THE aluminum alloy for automatic screw machine parts: fittings, valve bodies, couplings, camera parts, and any high-volume turned Al component. Machinability rating ~90% of 2011.