Choose a suitable aluminum alloy based on strength, corrosion resistance, welding, machining, forming and fabrication requirements.
Enter your requirements and click Select Aluminum Alloys.
Recommendations will appear here.
| Alloy | Series | General Character | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | 1xxx | Very high corrosion resistance, excellent formability | Sheet, heat exchangers, general fabrication |
| 3003 | 3xxx | Good formability and corrosion resistance | Sheet, tanks, heat exchangers, general fabrication |
| 5052 | 5xxx | Good corrosion resistance and weldability | Marine parts, sheet, tanks, formed components |
| 5083 | 5xxx | High strength for a non-heat-treatable alloy, excellent marine resistance | Marine structures, pressure vessels, welded fabrication |
| 6061 | 6xxx | Good strength, machining and general fabrication | Structural parts, frames, machinery, extrusions |
| 6063 | 6xxx | Excellent extrusion and surface-finish characteristics | Architectural profiles, frames, trim |
| 6082 | 6xxx | Higher-strength general engineering aluminum | Structures, machinery, transport components |
| 7075 | 7xxx | Very high strength | Aerospace and high-strength components |
| 2024 | 2xxx | High strength and fatigue performance | Aerospace and highly loaded components |
What is the best all-purpose aluminum alloy? 6061 is a common general-purpose engineering choice because it provides a useful balance of strength, corrosion resistance, machinability, weldability and availability.
What is the difference between 6061 and 6063? 6061 generally offers higher strength, while 6063 is particularly well suited to extrusion and applications where surface finish and formability are important.
Which aluminum alloy is best for marine applications? 5xxx-series alloys such as 5052 and 5083 are commonly used for marine applications because of their corrosion resistance and weldability.
Which aluminum alloy is easiest to form? Lower-strength alloys such as 1100 and 3003 generally offer excellent forming characteristics. Some 5xxx alloys also provide good formability.
Which aluminum alloy is easiest to machine? 6061 is widely used for machined components because it provides a good combination of machinability and mechanical properties.
Which aluminum alloy is strongest? 7xxx-series alloys such as 7075 can provide very high strength. Exact strength depends heavily on temper and product form.
Is 7075 aluminum good for welding? 7075 is generally not the first choice for conventional welded structures because welding can significantly affect its properties and create other metallurgical concerns.
Is 6061 aluminum good for welding? 6061 is commonly welded, although the heat-affected zone can experience reduced strength compared with the original temper.
What aluminum alloy is good for heat exchangers? 1xxx and 3xxx series alloys are commonly used in heat-transfer applications because of their thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics.
Does aluminum alloy temper matter? Yes. Temper can substantially change strength, hardness, ductility and other mechanical properties without changing the basic alloy designation.
Can this selector guarantee the correct aluminum alloy? No. It is a preliminary selection aid. Final material selection should consider the applicable standard, alloy and temper, dimensions, loads, joining method and service environment.