Aluminum Profiles

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 (available in Hex, Round) 2024 Aluminum (available in Plate, Rectangle, Round, Sheet, Square, Tube) 5052 Aluminum (available in Sheet) 6061 Aluminum (available in Angle, Channel, I-Beam, Pipe, Plate, Rectangle, Round, Sheet, Square, Tube) 6063 Aluminum (available in Angle, Channel, Rectangle Tube, Square Tube) 7075 Aluminum (available in Plate, Round, Sheet)

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

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) 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