Creep effects increase as the temperature increases.

At room temperature, very

little creep occurs unless stresses are near the tensile strength. Creep usually
is not a factor unless stresses are sustained at temperatures more than about
200#F [95#C]. Properties of aluminum alloys at high and low temperatures
are given in Kaufman�s Properties of Aluminum Alloys�Tensile, Creep, and
Fatigue Data at High and Low Temperatures (118).
For most alloys, the minimum mechanical properties given in the Aluminum
Specification are used for service temperatures up to 200#F [95#C], but
above this are decreased to account for reduced strength. An example of how
allowable stresses at elevated temperatures are decreased is given in ASME
B96.1, Welded Aluminum-Alloy Storage Tanks (85). Aluminum alloys are used
in structural applications to 400#F [200#C] with appropriately reduced design
strengths.
Alloys that have more than 3% magnesium content (such as 5083, 5086,
5154, and 5456, as well as filler alloys 5183, 5356, 5556, and 5654) should
not be held above 150#F [65#C] because these elevated temperatures make
them sensitive to exfoliation corrosion. Exfoliation is a delamination or peeling
of layers of the metal in planes approximately parallel to the metal surface.
Unfortunately, magnesium content is directly related to strength, so this
leaves only modest-strength 5xxx alloys available for elevated-temperature
applications.
4.7 FIRE RESISTANCE
When it comes to fire resistance, aluminum can be confusing (16). On one
hand, finely divided aluminum powder burns so explosively that it�s used as
rocket fuel; on the other hand, aluminum is routinely melted (every time it�s
welded) without any concern regarding combustion. Because of the relatively
low melting point of aluminum alloys (around 1,100#F [600#C]), however,
aluminum is not suitable when exposed to high temperatures, such as in
fireplaces, where it quickly turns to mush. In fires, thin-gauge aluminum sheet
can melt so fast that it appears to be burning. But in reality, semi-fabricated
aluminum products, such as extrusions, sheet, plate, castings, and forgings,
are not combustible under ordinary conditions.
Building codes classify a material as noncombustible if it passes ASTM
E136. In this test, solid pieces of material 1�1 in. # 1�1 in. # 2 in. [38 mm # 2 2
38 mm # 50 mm] are placed in an oven and heated to 1,382#F [750#C];
unless flames are produced, the material is called noncombustible. Aluminum
alloys subjected to this test have been classified noncombustible since no
flames result even though aluminum�s melting point is lower than the test
temperature. Other fire performance tests, such as ASTM E108 for exterior
fire resistance and ASTM E119 for interior fire endurance, exist. These test
a building assembly (for example, an insulated metal roofing assembly) and
must be evaluated for specific designs because they are dependent on the
dimensions and combination of materials of the assembly being tested.
pag 108