Materials database

THE weldable aerospace Al-Cu alloy — Cu 5.8-6.8%, no Mg. Unique among 2xxx: fully weldable (unlike 2024/2014). Retains strength from -250°C to +315°C. Used for Space Shuttle external tank, Saturn V fuel tanks, and cryogenic vessels. T87: UTS 455 MPa. Also used for supersonic aircraft skins and high-temperature structural applications up to 315°C.

The most widely used manganese aluminium alloy. ~20% stronger than 1050A with similar formability and corrosion resistance. Non-heat-treatable. Used for heat exchangers, cooking utensils, pressure vessels, chemical equipment, and architectural trim.

Al-Mn general purpose alloy — Mn 1.0-1.5%. ~20% stronger than 1100 pure Al with similar excellent formability, corrosion resistance, and weldability. Non-heat-treatable. THE cooking/food industry aluminum: pots, pans, beverage cans, heat exchangers, chemical equipment, and general sheet metal. Also used for roofing, siding, and storage tanks.

Al-Mn-Mg alloy — THE beverage can body material. Mn 1.0-1.5% + Mg 0.8-1.3% give moderate strength (UTS 240-280 H19) with excellent formability for deep drawing and ironing. ~200 billion cans/year worldwide. Also used for roofing sheet, color-coated panels, and storage tanks. Stronger than 3003 due to Mg addition.

Al-Mn-Mg alloy with slightly higher strength than 3003. Good formability and corrosion resistance. Not heat-treatable. Commonly used for building products, mobile homes/trailers, bottle caps, and general sheet metal applications. Intermediate between 3003 and 5005 in the strength hierarchy.

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.

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.

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.

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 most extruded aluminum alloy in Europe — optimized for complex thin-walled extrusion profiles. Lower Mg+Si content than 6063/6082 provides excellent extrudability at moderate strength (UTS ~215 MPa T6). Good corrosion resistance, anodizability (decorative quality), and weldability. The default material for window/door frames, curtain wall mullions, railing systems, heat sinks, LED lighting profiles, and general architectural extrusions. EN AW-6063 is the closest ASTM equivalent.

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.