Alloy 7050 aluminum plate is the principal choice for aerospace applications, especially in the 3-6 inch thickness range. It exhibits better toughness/corrosion resistance characteristics than the older, more established alloy 7075. Since it is less quench sensitive than most other aerospace alloys, this alloy maintains its strength properties in thicker sections while retaining good stress corrosion cracking resistance and fracture toughness levels. AMS 4050 is commonly associated with 7050, though various manufacturers require their own specifications.
2024 aluminum sheet & plate are considered the aircraft alloy because of its strength. It is readily formed in the annealed condition and may be subsequently heat treated. 2024 aluminum sheet possess good machinability and can be machined to a high finish. Since corrosion resistance is relatively low, aluminum alloy 2024 is commonly used with an anodized finish or in clad form (Alclad) with a thin surface layer of high purity aluminum. As an enhanced sheet for fuselage applications, Alclad offers improved fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth while maintaining the strength characteristics of the alloy. 2024 aluminum sheet is often used for applications in theaerospace industry.
1100 aluminum is the most commercially pure alloy of all the aluminum grades. 1100 aluminum coil and 1100 aluminum sheet are both available for various applications including chemical storage and processing equipemtn. Benefits of 1100 aluminum sheet & coil include a 99% or greater content of aluminum compared to other grades of aluminum. 1100 is a low strength aluminum alloy with excellent corrosion resistance. This grade is best used for welding, brazing and soldering but has poor machinability. 1100 aluminum has great finishing capabilities so it is a great choice for decorative purposes.
Alloy 2124 aluminum plate is a high purity form of 2024 and is normally supplied in 1.50 6.00 plate. Available in T851 temper, this plate alloy exhibits good strength retention and creep resistance at elevated temperatures up to 350 degrees. Fracture toughness levels of 2124-T851 plate are significantly higher than 2024-T851. This alloy is recommended for those applications requiring better short-transverse ductility, high strength and good machinability and has excellent exfoliation corrosion resistance. Fatigue properties of alloy 2124-T851 are similar to those of 2024-T851.
Alloy 7475 aluminum plate are a controlled toughness alloy whose values are 40 percent greater than alloy 7075 in the same tempers. This alloys corrosion resistance and fatigue behavior are also equal to, or better than, many of the other high strength aerospace alloys, and is for those applications that require a combination of high strength, superior fracture toughness and resistance to fatigue crack propagation.
Alloy 5086 aluminum sheet have even higher strength than 5052 or 5083 and its mechanical properties vary significantly with hardening and temperature. It is not strengthened by heat treatment; instead, it becomes stronger due to strain hardening or cold working of the material. This alloy can be readily welded, retaining most of its mechanical strength. The good results with welding and good corrosion properties in seawater make Alloy 5086 extremely popular in marine applications. 5086 aluminum sheet has been used in vehicle armor plate due to its high strength factor.
5052 aluminum sheet and coil have good workability, high fatigue strength and good weldability. It has very good corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments. 5052 aluminum sheet can be anodized to improve the corrosion resistance of the material in corrosive environments.
Alloy 5083 aluminum sheet have higher strength than 5052 plate and has exceptional thermal conductivity. In the tempered condition, it retains good formability due to excellent ductility. It is highly suitable for welding and can be hardened by cold work. Because Alloy 5083 exhibits excellent resistance to general corrosion, it is used in marine applications. Since alloy 5083 aluminum sheet is capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures without brittleness or loss of properties, it is especially suited to the cryogenic market.
3003 aluminum sheet and plate is approximately 20% stronger than 1100 series aluminum. 3003 aluminum reacts well to mechanical finishings as well as organic finishes. 3003 welding is readily accomplished by means of conventional welding methods, but may be gummy if machined. Soldering is limited to the torch method.
Alloy 6061 aluminum sheet and Plate are the most versatile of the heat treatable aluminum alloys. Though less strong than most of the 2xxx and 7xxx alloys, 6061 aluminum provides an extensive range of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance and can be fabricated by many of the commonly used practices. In the â??Oâ?� temper or annealed condition, alloy 6061 aluminum sheet has good formability. In the T4 condition, fairly severe forming can be done; whereas, in the T6 condition, properties may be obtained by artificial aging.
