Blog Post Aluminium Grades And Uses: The Ultimate Guide

Many of the products we use on a daily basis contain aluminium alloys. Architectural features, automotive components, engineering equipment, food and drink cans and foils, medical implants and many other items are manufactured from aluminium alloys.

To help you to be able to identify the correct alloy for your specific requirements, this article provides an overview of the main aluminium grades and uses.

What is Aluminium Used for?

Aluminium alloys are used in a huge range of products due to the metal's combination of strength, flexibility and low weight. Some common examples include:

- Windows, doors and other architectural features

- Automotive components such as engine blocks, wheel rims and body panels

- Food and drink cans

- Foil wrappers for food packaging

- Electrical wiring

- Aircraft construction

Aluminium is a sustainable material for many applications because it can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its qualities. It is also non-toxic and does not corrode easily, which makes it ideal for use in food packaging and medical implants.

How are Aluminium Grades Classified?

Aluminium alloys are generally classified into two groups: wrought and cast alloys. Wrought alloys are formed by rolling, extruding or drawing processes, while cast alloys are made by pouring molten Aluminium into a mould.

The majority of commercial aluminium products are made from wrought alloys, as they can be easily formed into the required shape. These alloys typically contain between 95-99% aluminium, with the remaining elements being copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon or zinc. The exact composition of an alloy will determine its properties and suitability for specific applications.

Aluminium Grades Explained

The first thing to understand is that there are different types of aluminium alloys, each with its own specific properties and characteristics. In total, there are over 400 different grades of aluminium alloy available on the market today. The majority of these alloys are based on just a handful of chemical elements, including iron, silicon, copper, magnesium, manganese and zinc.

The most common grades are 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 series. Each grade has its own specific applications. For example, 1000 series aluminium alloys are the purest form of Aluminium, with 99% aluminium content. Aluminium has many uses in its purest form, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers.

1000 Series – "Pure" Aluminium

The 1000 series aluminium alloys are the "purest" of all the commercial grades available. At 99% minimum, they usually contain between 0.05% and 0.25% of other metals such as iron, manganese, silicon or zinc. These alloys are used in situations where a high level of corrosion resistance is needed but where strength is not a key factor. Typical examples include electrical conductors, chemical handling equipment and architectural features such as window frames and roofing sheets. Pure Aluminium can be used in food preparation due to its inert nature.

2000 Series – Copper Alloys

The 2000 series aluminium alloys contain copper. They are also known as "copper clad" or "brazing alloys", due to their excellent brazing and soldering properties. These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good conductivity is required, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers. Copper Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. It is important to note that, due to their high copper content, these alloys are highly susceptible to corrosion in marine environments.

3000 Series – Manganese Alloys

The 3000 series aluminium alloys are the most widely used of all the commercial grades available. They contain manganese and are also known as "manganese bronze" or "manganese brass". These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good corrosion resistance is required, such as architectural features, food and drink cans, engineering components and electrical connectors. Manganese Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. This material is non-magnetic and has excellent weldability.

4000 Series – Silicon Alloys

The 4000 series aluminium alloys contain silicon. They are also known as "silicon bronze" or "silicon brass" due to their excellent soldering and brazing properties. These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good conductivity is required, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers. Silicon Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. Although silicon is an important alloying addition in metallurgy, it is used in aluminium alloys to increase strength while maintaining a low weight.

5000 Series – Magnesium Alloys

The 5000 series aluminium alloys contain magnesium. They are also known as "magnesium bronze" or "magnesium brass" due to their excellent soldering and brazing properties. These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good conductivity is required, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers. Magnesium Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. Magnesium is the lightest of all metal elements. It is used in aluminium alloys to create a strong yet lightweight material. Magnesium alloys have a hexagonal lattice structure. This gives the alloys good ductility and toughness.

6000 Series – Magnesium and Silicon Alloys

The 6000 series aluminium alloys contain magnesium and silicon. They are also known as "magnesium silicon bronze" or "magnesium silicon brass" due to their excellent soldering and brazing properties. These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good conductivity is required, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers. Magnesium Silicon Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. Magnesium is the lightest of all metal elements. It is used in aluminium alloys to create a strong yet lightweight material. In metallurgy, silicon is a significant alloying component. It is used in aluminium alloys to increase strength while maintaining a low weight.

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7000 Series – Zinc Alloys

The 7000 series aluminium alloys contain zinc. They are also known as "zinc bronze" or "zinc brass" due to their excellent soldering and brazing properties. These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good conductivity is required, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers. Zinc Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. Zinc is a relatively new addition to metallurgy. It is used in aluminium alloys to create a strong yet lightweight material.

 

8000 Series – Other Alloy Categories

The 8000 series aluminium alloys are a miscellaneous category of non-ferrous alloys. They contain other alloying elements such as manganese, chromium, nickel, iron, copper, zinc or titanium.These alloys are used in a variety of applications where certain characteristics, like corrosion resistance or electrical conductivity, are necessary. Both the annealed and precipitation hardened states are suitable for the use of other alloy categories.

If you need more information about the best type of aluminium for your product, feel free to contact our professional team at Leengate Metals for assistance based on the features and requirements of your project.