Aluminum Grades Used in Extrusion including Chinese Equivalents

The follow aluminum grades are used for extrusion:

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Note that you can also find more information concerning the conditions in which aluminum grades are used and temperatures on this page.

1000 Series

An essentially pure aluminum alloy, this series contains a minimum of 99% aluminum content by weight. Non heat treatable, this series is most often use for products where a high electrical and thermal conductivity is required. Having a low strength, it has a high resistance to corrosion.

6000 Series

Heat treatable, this series is alloyed with silicon and magnesium, and features a good extrudability. One of the most commonly used extrusion alloys, it has a wide range of applications and can be solution heat treated at its extrusion temperature.

Having a medium to high strength, it offers a good resistance to corrosion, can be easily welded and works great in marine environments. Most of the load bearing constructions, both at sea and land, are made using this series.

More specific 6000 Series Alloys:

• 6060:
  Offering a medium strength, this aluminum grade is easy to extrude, even in cases of complex cross sections. The most used in aluminum extrusion, it has, in T4 condition, a good formability during bending processes and is suitable for anodizing processes for both protective and decorative requirements. Typically used for awnings, furniture, window and door frames, and handrails.
• 6101:
  Having almost exactly the same production possibilities as 6060, this aluminum grade is especially suited for electrical applications in which a fairly high strength is necessary.
• 6063:
  With a slightly higher strength than offered by 6060, it is a little more difficult to extrude. This is more true in cases where a complex cross section is present. Used mostly for the same purposes as 6060, this aluminum grade is great for anodizing processes, both for protective and decorative reasons.
• 6005A:
  Boasting with a higher strength than 6063, it is harder to extrude and is great for anodizing processes for protective purposes. Anodizing processes for decorative purposes are more difficult because of the surface finish of this grade once extruded.
• 6082:
  Boasting with a high strength, this grade is suitable in extrusion processes where not too complicated cross sections are required. Used for load carrying applications (such as offshore transport and construction industries), this grade is used to create bridges, scaffolds and stairs etc. Anodizing processes here are suitable for protective purposes.

7000 Series

With the highest strength, this series is the most used construction alloys. Boasting with a good weldability, this series also obtains a lower reduction of strength in heat affected zones when compared to the 6000 series alloy.

However, it should be noted that these aluminum grades are not as formable and corrosion resistant than 6000 series alloys. This can be improved by adding small amounts of Zirconium (Zr), Chromium (Cr) or Manganese (Mn).

Alloyed with zinc, the 7000 Series is typically used to produce bicycle frames, automotive parts, high speed boats and aircraft containers.

The 7180 Alloy:
This alloy has a high strength and good fatigue strength, but has a limited formability and extrudability. Susceptible to stress corrosion in places that carry high stresses, this can be improved by over-aging processes. Welding this alloy is only carried out in sections that do not carry a high load, and is typically used for the production of transport and building applications that calls for a high strength capability.
It can also be anodized for protective requirements.

Conditions in which Aluminum Grades are Used

Temperatures

The mechanical properties of the aluminum grade can be reduced at temperatures that are higher than 100°C. This is especially true in cases where the material has been cold worked or thermally hardened.

Generally speaking, 6060, 6063, 6005A and 6082 are suitably used in structures at temperatures over 100°C, as tensile strength decreases as temperatures rise and fracturing and elongation typically increases. These characteristics are however dependant on the specific alloy, the time as well as the temperature.

Aluminum alloys do not become brittle at low temperatures as steel does, but increases in ductility and strength. Impact strength at low temperatures stay the same, as tensile and yield strength increases below 0°C.

Are you interested in learning more about aluminium extrusions for solar panels? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Today, China offers a full range of aluminum extrusion processes, being only second to the US when it comes to extrusion output. Having the largest aluminum/bauxite reserves in the world, China's factories are advanced, with some employing over 10 000 workers.

ChinaSavvy's capabilities allows it to produce tightly toleranced and highly finished products featuring complex cross sections. This can be done in long lengths at a minimum cost and minimum waste capacity.

Our team of designers and aluminum extrusion specialists are able to produce both extremely large and small extrusions for use in industrial products including the housing sector, automotive industry, super-chargers and more.

Some parts as small as 100 grams, other parts weight over five kilograms per cut part.

You can learn more about aluminum grades by visiting our Aluminum Grades for Sheet Fabrication and Chinese Equivalents page.

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