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#085 Aluminum Alloy Types and Characteristics

Category : Anodizing
July 1, 2011

Aluminum alloy materials can be classified into wrought alloys such as plates, bars, rods, and wire, and cast/die-cast alloys for sand/mold casting. They all have various characteristics and are designated by four digit JIS numbers*. The alloys are assigned 1000 class numbers and the lower two digits denote the associated information. For example, 99.7% aluminum is A1070 and AL-Mg alloy is A5052.

(1) Wrought Material

[Table 1] Wrought Aluminum Alloys and Characteristics
AlloyCharacteristicsPurposeAlloy Number*
1000
(Pure aluminum)
Excellent corrosion resistance, machinability, electrical/thermal conductivity. Good surface treatability.Various containers, electrical appliances, reflector plates1070
1100
2000
(AL-Cu Alloys)
Duralmin alloys, high strength, cuts well. Corrosion resistance and surface treatability is inferior.Aircrafts, transfer equipment, machine parts2017
2024
3000
(AL-Mn Alloys)
High strength with corrosion resistance. Press forms well, surface treats wellGeneral objects, cans, construction material3003
3004
4000
(AL-Si Alloys)
Low melting points. Naturally anodize coloring alloyBrazing/welding fillers, construction material4043
5000
(AL-Mg Alloys)
Wide alloy variety based on Mg content variations. High strength/corrosion resistance. Surface treats well.Construction, structural, ship vessels, can lids, optical5005
5052
5056
5083
6000
(AL-Mg-Si Alloys)
Good corrosion resistance, increase in strength by heat treating. Extrudes and surface treats well.door framing, structural6061
6063
7000
(AL-Zn-Mg Alloys)
Highest strength aluminum alloy. Good weldability.Aircraft, sporting equipment, railway vehicles, welded structural material7075
7N01

(2) Cast Aluminum Alloys

[Table 2] Types of Cast Aluminum Alloys
AlloysCharacteristicsRepresentative Alloys*
AL-Si AlloysGood castabilityAC4A、AC4C、AC9A
AL-Mg AlloysGood corrosion resistanceAC7A、AC7B
AL-Cu AlloysIncreases in strengths by heat treatingAC1A、AC2A、AC5A

(3) Die-casting Aluminum Alloys

[Table 3] Die-casting Aluminum Alloys
AlloysCharacteristicsRepresentative Alloys*
AL-Si AlloysGood castabilityADC1、ADC7
AL-Mg AlloysGood corrosion resistanceADC5、ADC6
AL-Si-Cu AlloysHigh cast strengthADC10、ADC12

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