ALLOYS
Alloys
Aluminum is renowned to be an excellent material, but its use is often limited by relatively poor mechanical performance.
For this reason, new aluminum alloys are developed continuosly by adding specific elements in order to improve the properties and implement the functions of the base material.
Selection Criteria
The choice of the right aluminum alloy should be made considering several key factors:
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Cost
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Manufacturing processes
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Mechanical properties
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Machinability
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Oxide quality
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Availability
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Traceability
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Repeatability
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Compatibility with reference standards
Choosing the correct alloy from the design stage is essential to achieve the best final result.
Alloy Series Overview
SERIES 1000 – Al 99%
Suitable for food applications. Low mechanical properties, but excellent anodizing behavior.
SERIES 2000 – Al-Cu
Not suitable for food applications. Exhibits poor anodic oxidation performance.
SERIES 3000 – Al-Mn
Suitable for food applications. Limited use in mechanical applications and rarely processed through anodizing.
SERIES 4000 – Al-Si
Potentially suitable for food applications depending on composition.
Appropriate for anodizing if the silicon content is below 9%. Evaluation is required on a case-by-case basis.
SERIES 5000 – Al-Mg
Suitable for food applications. Medium mechanical properties.
Good anodizing performance, but typically with a less refined aesthetic finish due to higher porosity.
SERIES 6000 – Al-SiMg
Suitable for food applications. Medium mechanical properties and good corrosion resistance.
Excellent anodizing results with high-quality aesthetic and technical finishes.
SERIES 7000 – Al-CuZn
Not suitable for food applications. High mechanical properties but lower corrosion resistance.
Good anodizing performance with excellent final mechanical properties, though corrosion resistance is inferior compared to other alloys, with potential risk of defects (see defects section).
Technical Support
G.H.A. Europe® is available to provide technical support in selecting the most suitable alloy and treatment, ensuring optimal performance based on specific customer requirements.
