Aluminum and its
alloys are divided into two broad classes,
castings and wrought (mechanically worked
products). The latter is sub-divided into
heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable alloys,
and into various forms produced by mechanical
working.
| Wrought
Aluminum Alloys |
| Series |
Main
Alloy |
Alloy
Properties |
| 1xxx |
None
(99% alu)
|
Unalloyed
aluminum is highly corrosion resistant,
low strength, workable, conductive.
Non-heat-treatable. |
| 2xxx |
Copper
|
Gives strength,
hardness, machinability. Heat-treatable. |
| 3xxx |
Manganese
|
Adds moderate
strength, good workability. Non-heat-treatable. |
| 4xxx |
Silicon
|
|
| 5xxx |
Magnesium
|
Moderate
to high strength. Corrosion resistant.
Non-heat-treatable. |
| 6xxx |
Magnesium
& Silicon
|
Increases
strength, formability, corrosion resistance.
Heat-treatable. |
| 7xxx |
Zinc
|
For greatest
strength. Heat treatable. Other alloying
elements such as copper, magnesium,
chromium and zirconium may be specified.
|
| 8xxx |
Tin,
Lithium & Other elements.
|
Effects
vary. |
| 9xxx |
N/A
|
(This series
is unused presently.) |
| Casting
Alloys |
| Series |
Main
Alloy |
Alloy
Notes |
|
1xx.x
|
None
(99% alum.)
|
Unalloyed aluminum. |
|
2xx.x
|
Copper
|
Used extensively for
applications where excellent strength
and hardness at high temperatures are
required. Heavy-duty pistons; motorcycle,
diesel and aircraft pistons; aircraft
generator housings; and air-cooled cylinder
heads are typical applications. |
|
3xx.x
|
Silicon
|
Other alloying elements
such as copper and magnesium are specified.
Typical applications are airframe castings,
machine parts, truck chassis parts,
aircraft and missile components, and
structural parts requiring high strength.
|
|
4xx.x
|
Silicon
|
|
|
5xx.x
|
Magnesium
|
Alloys possess a high
and stable combination of strength,
shock resistance and ductility. It is
ideally suited for parts in instruments
and computing devices where dimensional
stability is of major importance.
|
|
6xx.x
|
N/A
|
(This series is unused
presently.) |
|
7xx.x
|
Zinc
|
Employed when a combination
of good mechanical properties without
heat treatment is needed. It also shows
good shock and corrosion resistance
and good machinability and dimensional
stability. |
|
8xx.x
|
Tin
|
|
|
9xx.x
|
N/A
|
(This series is unused
presently.) |
|
