Aluminium Specifications Properties Classifications and Classes Supplier Data by Aalco

Aluminium - Specifications, Properties, Classifications and Classes, Supplier Data by Aalco
Aluminium - Specifications, Properties,

Classifications and Classes, Supplier Data by
Aalco
Sponsored by Aalco - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Stockist
May 17 2005
Topics Covered
Background
Production of Aluminium
Annual Demand of Aluminium
Applications of Aluminium
Alloy Designations
Physical Properties of Aluminium
Density of Aluminium
Strength of Aluminium
Corrosion Resistance of Aluminium
Thermal Conductivity of Aluminium
Electrical Conductivity of Aluminium
Reflectivity of Aluminium
Mechanical Properties of Aluminium
Aluminium Standards
Heat Treatment of Aluminium
Work Hardening of Aluminium
Background
Aluminium is the worlds most abundant metal and is the third most common element
comprising 8% of the earths crust. The versatility of aluminium makes it the most widely
used metal after steel.
Production of Aluminium
Aluminium is derived from the mineral bauxite. Bauxite is converted to aluminium oxide
(alumina) via the Bayer Process. The alumina is then converted to aluminium metal using
electrolytic cells and the Hall-Heroult Process.
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Annual Demand of Aluminium

Worldwide demand for aluminium is around 29 million tons per year. About 22 million tons is
new aluminium and 7 million tons is recycled aluminium scrap. The use of recycled
aluminium is economically and environmentally compelling. It takes 14,000 kWh to produce 1
tonne of new aluminium. Conversely it takes only 5% of this to remelt and recycle one tonne
of aluminium. There is no difference in quality between virgin and recycled aluminium alloys.
Applications of Aluminium
Pure aluminium is soft, ductile, corrosion resistant and has a high electrical conductivity. It is
widely used for foil and conductor cables, but alloying with other elements is necessary to
provide the higher strengths needed for other applications. Aluminium is one of the lightest
engineering metals, having a strength to weight ratio superior to steel.
By utilising various combinations of its advantageous properties such as strength, lightness,
corrosion resistance, recyclability and formability, aluminium is being employed in an everincreasing number of applications. This array of products ranges from structural materials
through to thin packaging foils.
Alloy Designations
Aluminium is most commonly alloyed with copper, zinc, magnesium, silicon, manganese and
lithium. Small additions of chromium, titanium, zirconium, lead, bismuth and nickel are also
made and iron is invariably present in small quantities.
There are over 300 wrought alloys with 50 in common use. They are normally identified by a
four figure system which originated in the USA and is now universally accepted. Table 1
describes the system for wrought alloys. Cast alloys have similar designations and use a five
digit system.
Table 1. Designations for wrought aluminium alloys.
Alloying Element
Wrought
None (99%+ Aluminium)
1XXX
Copper
2XXX
Manganese
3XXX
Silicon
4XXX
Magnesium
5XXX
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Magnesium + Silicon
6XXX
Zinc
7XXX
Lithium
8XXX
For unalloyed wrought aluminium alloys designated 1XXX, the last two digits represent the
purity of the metal. They are the equivalent to the last two digits after the decimal point when
aluminium purity is expressed to the nearest 0.01 percent. The second digit indicates
modifications in impurity limits. If the second digit is zero, it indicates unalloyed aluminium
having natural impurity limits and 1 through 9, indicate individual impurities or alloying
elements.
For the 2XXX to 8XXX groups, the last two digits identify different aluminium alloys in the
group. The second digit indicates alloy modifications. A second digit of zero indicates the
original alloy and integers 1 to 9 indicate consecutive alloy modifications.
Physical Properties of Aluminium

Density of Aluminium
Aluminium has a density around one third that of steel or copper making it one of the lightest
commercially available metals. The resultant high strength to weight ratio makes it an
important structural material allowing increased payloads or fuel savings for transport
industries in particular.
Strength of Aluminium
Pure aluminium doesnt have a high tensile strength. However, the addition of alloying
elements like manganese, silicon, copper and magnesium can increase the strength
properties of aluminium and produce an alloy with properties tailored to particular
applications.
Aluminium is well suited to cold environments. It has the advantage over steel in that its
tensile strength increases with decreasing temperature while retaining its toughness. Steel
on the other hand becomes brittle at low temperatures.
Corrosion Resistance of Aluminium

When exposed to air, a layer of aluminium oxide forms almost instantaneously on the surface
of aluminium. This layer has excellent resistance to corrosion. It is fairly resistant to most
acids but less resistant to alkalis.
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Thermal Conductivity of Aluminium

The thermal conductivity of aluminium is about three times greater than that of steel. This
makes aluminium an important material for both cooling and heating applications such as
heat-exchangers. Combined with it being non-toxic this property means aluminium is used
extensively in cooking utensils and kitchenware.
Electrical Conductivity of Aluminium

Along with copper, aluminium has an electrical conductivity high enough for use as an
electrical conductor. Although the conductivity of the commonly used conducting alloy (1350)
is only around 62% of annealed copper, it is only one third the weight and can therefore
conduct twice as much electricity when compared with copper of the same weight.
Reflectivity of Aluminium
From UV to infra-red, aluminium is an excellent reflector of radiant energy. Visible light
reflectivity of around 80% means it is widely used in light fixtures. The same properties of
reflectivity makes aluminium ideal as an insulating material to protect against the suns rays
in summer, while insulating against heat loss in winter.
Table 2. Properties for aluminium.
Property
Value
Atomic Number
13
Atomic Weight (g/mol)
26.98
Valency
Crystal Structure
FCC
Melting Point (C)
660.2
Boiling Point (C)
2480
Mean Specific Heat (0-100C) (cal/g.C)
0.219
Thermal Conductivity (0-100C) (cal/cms. C)

Co-Efficient of Linear Expansion (0-100C)
(x10-6/C)
Electrical Resistivity at 20C (.cm)

Density
(g/cm3)
0.57
23.5
2.69
2.6898
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)
68.3
Poissons Ratio
0.34
Mechanical Properties of Aluminium

Aluminium can be severely deformed without failure. This allows aluminium to be formed by
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rolling, extruding, drawing, machining and other mechanical processes. It can also be cast to
a high tolerance.
Alloying, cold working and heat-treating can all be utilised to tailor the properties of
aluminium.
The tensile strength of pure aluminium is around 90 MPa but this can be increased to over
690 MPa for some heat-treatable alloys.
Table 3. Mechanical properties of selected aluminium alloys.
Proof
Alloy
Temper
Stress
0.20%
(MPa)
AA1050A
AA2011
AA3103
AA5083
AA5251
Tensile
Shear
StrengthStrength
(MPa)
(MPa)
ElongationElongation
A5 (%)
H2
85
100
60
12
H4
105
115
70
10
H6
120
130
80
H8
140
150
85
H9
170
180
35
80
50
T3
290
365
T4
270
T6
A50 (%)
HardnessHardness
Fatigue
Endur.
Brinell
Vickers
HB
HV
30
30
35
36
70
100
Limit
(MPa)
39
5
43
44
48
51
42
38
21
20
50
220
15
15
95
100
250
350
210
18
18
90
95
250
300
395
235
12
12
110
115
250
T8
315
420
250
13
12
115
120
250
H2
115
135
80
11
11
40
40
H4
140
155
90
45
46
H6
160
175
100
50
50
H8
180
200
110
55
55
H9
210
240
125
65
70
45
105
70
29
25
29
29
100
H2
240
330
185
17
16
90
95
280
H4
275
360
200
16
14
100
105
280
H6
305
380
210
10
105
110
H8
335
400
220
110
115
H9
370
420
230
115
120
145
300
175
23
22
70
75
H2
165
210
125
14
14
60
65
H4
190
230
135
13
12
65
70
H6
215
255
145
70
75
H8
240
280
155
80
80
130
150
250
230
250
P
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AA5754
AA6063
AA6082
AA6262
AA7075
H9
270
310
165
90
90
80
180
115
26
25
45
46
H2
185
245
150
15
14
70
75
H4
215
270
160
14
12
75
80
H6
245
290
170
10
80
85
H8
270
315
180
90
90
H9
300
340
190
95
100
100
215
140
25
24
55
55
220
50
100
70
27
26
25
85
110
T1
90
150
95
26
24
45
45
150
T4
90
160
110
21
21
50
50
150
T5
175
215
135
14
13
60
65
150
T6
210
245
150
14
12
75
80
150
T8
240
260
155
80
85
60
130
85
27
26
35
35
120
T1
170
260
155
24
24
70
75
200
T4
170
260
170
19
19
70
75
200
T5
275
325
195
11
11
90
95
210
T6
310
340
210
11
11
95
100
210
T6
240
290
T9
330
360
105
225
150
17
60
65
230
T6
505
570
350
10
10
150
160
300
T7
435
505
305
13
12
140
150
300
200
250
280
Aluminium Standards
The old BS1470 standard has been replaced by nine EN standards. The EN standards are
given in table 4.
Table 4. EN standards for aluminium
Standard
Scope
EN485-1
Technical conditions for inspection and delivery
EN485-2
Mechanical properties
EN485-3
Tolerances for hot rolled material
EN485-4
Tolerances for cold rolled material
EN515
Temper designations
EN573-1
Numerical alloy designation system
EN573-2
Chemical symbol designation system
EN573-3
Chemical compositions
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EN573-4
Product forms in different alloys
The EN standards differ from the old standard, BS1470 in the following areas:
Chemical compositions unchanged.
Alloy numbering system unchanged.
Temper designations for heat treatable alloys now cover a wider range of special
tempers. Up to four digits after the T have been introduced for non- standard
applications (e.g. T6151).
Temper designations for non heat treatable alloys existing tempers are unchanged
but tempers are now more comprehensively defined in terms of how they are created.
Soft (O) temper is now H111 and an intermediate temper H112 has been introduced.
For alloy 5251 tempers are now shown as H32/H34/H36/H38 (equivalent to H22/H24,
etc). H19/H22 & H24 are now shown separately.
Mechanical properties remain similar to previous figures. 0.2% Proof Stress must
now be quoted on test certificates.
Tolerances have been tightened to various degrees.
Heat Treatment of Aluminium

A range of heat treatments can be applied to aluminium alloys:
Homogenisation the removal of segregation by heating after casting.
Annealing used after cold working to soften work-hardening alloys (1XXX, 3XXX and
5XXX).
Precipitation or age hardening (alloys 2XXX, 6XXX and 7XXX).
Solution heat treatment before ageing of precipitation hardening alloys.
Stoving for the curing of coatings
After heat treatment a suffix is added to the designation numbers.
The suffix F means as fabricated.
O means annealed wrought products.
T means that it has been heat treated.
W means the material has been solution heat treated.
H refers to non heat treatable alloys that are cold worked or strain hardened.
The non-heat treatable alloys are those in the 3XXX, 4XXX and 5XXX groups.
Table 5. Heat treatment designations for aluminium and aluminium alloys.
Term
Description
T1
Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and naturally aged.
T2
Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process cold worked and naturally aged.
T3
Solution heat-treated cold worked and naturally aged to a substantially.
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T4
Solution heat-treated and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition.
T5
Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and then artificially aged.
T6
Solution heat-treated and then artificially aged.
T7
Solution heat-treated and overaged/stabilised.
Work Hardening of Aluminium

The non-heat treatable alloys can have their properties adjusted by cold working. Cold rolling
is an example.
These adjusted properties depend upon the degree of cold work and whether working is
followed by any annealing or stabilising thermal treatment.
Nomenclature to describe these treatments uses a letter, O, F or H followed by one or more
numbers. As outlined in Table 6, the first number refers to the worked condition and the
second number the degree of tempering.
Table 6. Non-Heat treatable alloy designations
Term
Description
H1X
Work hardened
H2X
Work hardened and partially annealed
H3X
Work hardened and stabilized by low temperature treatment
H4X
Work hardened and stoved
HX2
Quarter-hard degree of working
HX4
Half-hard degree of working
HX6
Three-quarter hard degree of working
HX8
Full-hard degree of working

Table 7. Temper codes for plate
Code
H112
Description
Alloys that have some tempering from shaping but do not have special control over the
amount of strain-hardening or thermal treatment. Some strength limits apply.
H321 Strain hardened to an amount less than required for a controlled H32 temper.
H323
H343
A version of H32 that has been hardened to provide acceptable resistance to stress
corrosion cracking.
A version of H34 that has been hardened to provide acceptable resistance to stress
corrosion cracking.
H115 Armour plate.

H116 Special corrosion-resistant temper.
Source: Aalco
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For more information on this source please visit Aalco
DISCLAIMER
This Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from
which it is drawn. In particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with
temper, product and product dimensions. The information is based on our present knowledge
and is given in good faith. However, no liability will be accepted by the Company is respect of
any action taken by any third party in reliance thereon.
As the products detailed may be used for a wide variety of purposes and as the Company
has no control over their use; the Company specifically excludes all conditions or warranties
expressed or implied by statute or otherwise as to dimensions, properties and/or fitness for
any particular purpose.
Any advice given by the Company to any third party is given for that partys assistance only
and without liability on the part of the Company. Any contract between the Company and a
customer will be subject to the companys Conditions of Sale. The extent of the Companys
liabilities to any customer is clearly set out in those Conditions; a copy of which is available
on request.
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Aalco - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous

Metals Stockist
Address
25 High Street
Cobham
Surrey, KT11 3DH
United Kingdom
Phone: 44 (0) 1932 576 820
Fax: 44 (0) 1932 576 829
Email: marketing@aalco.co.uk
Visit Website
Aalco, Delivering Customer Service, Investing in Capability

Aalco's, customers from every sector of the UK manufacturing and engineering
industry, whether small local businesses or large multinational corporations, benefit
from:
An inventory spanning aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze and
nickel alloys in all semi-finished forms
Comprehensive processing services providing items cut and/or finished to
customer requirements
Seventeen centres bringing local service to every corner of the UK
Ongoing investments in technology and logistics to ensure on-time delivery
Please visit the Aalco web site for full information about the range of products and
10
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services plus Download files of product literature.

The Company
Aalco is the UK's largest independent multi-metals stockholder, with an extensive
inventory spanning aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze and nickel alloys
in all semi-finished forms.
Aalco provides customers with a cost-effective single source for all their metals
requirements, together with a comprehensive processing service offering all stock in
standard sizes or cut to customers instructions as well as finishing and coating.
No order is too large or too small and Aalco offers a responsive and competitive
service for supplying anything from single item orders to major JIT contracts, tailoring
this service to the individual needs of every customer from small local businesses to
major multinational corporations.
The Aalco inventory spans aluminium, stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze and nickel
alloys in all semi-finished forms, covering a wide range of grades/alloys, shapes and
sizes - both industry standards and special or bespoke items for particular applications
or individual customers.
With seventeen service centres nationwide, plus ongoing investments in technology
and logistics, Aalco delivers on-time to every corner of the UK. Every Aalco service
centre holds stocks to meet the immediate needs of customers in their local area,
backed up by bulk stocks held at a central warehouse.
Whatever your requirement, in whatever quantity, it will pay to discuss your needs with
your local Aalco service centre.
For a quotation, for further information, more extensive technical information, advice on
product selection or to place an order, please contact your your local Aalco service
centre.
Standard Stock & "Specials"
In providing customers with a cost-effective single source for all their metals
requirements, over 50% of Aalco sales comprise non-standard products.
11
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Thus, as well as the 10,000 item standard stock range, Aalco also holds a significant
range of non-standard products as well as special items for particular industries and
individual customers. In fact, around 40% of the stock at individual service centres falls
into this category.
This combines with a comprehensive processing service offering items cut to
customer's instructions as well as finishing and coating. In addition, Aalco regularly
arranges sub-contract processing using a range of approved suppliers.
People
Exceptional customer service starts with people. Flexible people, whom customers can
trust and reply upon to provide quality advice and informed product knowledge in a
friendly manner.
Aalco attracts, develops and retains high quality people. Continuous development of
their skills includes an in-house product training programme giving them a complete
understanding of the full range. This enables customers to benefit from assistance in
materials selection and choice of the most cost effective processing options.
In addition, Aalco regularly arranges other services for customers on a sub-contract
basis.
Quality
Aalco takes great care when selecting manufacturing sources for its products. Every
mill is subjected to careful scrutiny and must meet a schedule of quality control
requirements. All products supplied by Aalco conform to the relevant BS or
international standard and a certificate of conformity or analysis can be supplied on
request.
Aalco service centres operate a quality manual designed to ISO9000/2000
requirements. Many vendor approvals and bespoke quality control systems are
operated through individual Aalco service centres, including aerospace release
materials from Southampton and Hull.
Primary Activity
Material Manufacturer
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Services
Processing Services
Processed metals save time and money and so many customers have a need for
cutting services. Understanding this, Aalco is committed to providing an effective
response and thus made major investments in a wide range of advanced processing
equipment at both local service centres and central facilities.
Most service centres have on-site bar sawing, protective PVC coating of sheet and a
guillotine. Central facilities include plate saws, polishing of sheet and coil, and plasma
profiling, as well as coil processing, spanning, decoiling, levelling, slitting and blanking.
Service
The most comprehensive stock range; the highest investment in processing
equipment; local service centres nationwide; helpful, friendly, knowledgeable staff and
the industry's biggest fleet of delivery vehicles - it all adds up to unbeatable service.
Aalco has maintained market leadership over many years through an absolute
dedication to flexible, responsive customer service - a service level that is continuously
monitored and improved through key performance indicators.
That's why, for reliable, on-time delivery of exactly what you want, when and where you
need it, whether it's a small one-off item or a complex JIT contract, Aalco is the obvious
first choice.
Product Literature
Aalco has a selection of product literature including a 72 page brochure and a handy
stocklist. These are all available for Download as pdf files on the Aalco web site. Hard
copies can be obtained by contacting the local branch.
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