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Aluminium Alloys
Atlas Specialty Metals stocks a wide range of aluminium flat rolled products, including sheet, coil, plate and treadplate. Through our state-of-the-art processing equipment, we are also able to linish and cut to size to meet your specific requirements. We now also stock a select range of aluminium extrusions to complement our flat rolled products in our Perth distribution outlet.
Advantages of using Aluminium
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Light weight - approximately ¹/3 the density of steel
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Strength - some alloys can be substantially strengthened by work or by heat treatment
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Workability - easy formability, machinability and readily welded
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Corrosion resistance - varies depending on the alloy; the best resist marine exposure
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Non-toxic - often used in contact with food
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Non-magnetic and non-sparking
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Electrical conductivity
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Thermal conductivity - high
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Reflectivity - bright finish options available.
Specification
Generally in accordance with the specifications as outlined in the manual Aluminium Standards, Data and Design published by the Aluminium Council of Australia (Ltd). Aluminium is identifiable by alloy and temper, which indicates chemical and mechanical properties. This assists with possible application for the product.
Generally in accordance with the specifications as outlined in the manual Aluminium Standards, Data and Design published by the Aluminium Council of Australia (Ltd). Aluminium is identifiable by alloy and temper, which indicates chemical and mechanical properties. This assists with possible application for the product.
The following alloys are those commonly stocked in the Atlas Specialty Metals aluminium flat products program.
Alloy Characteristics and Forms [26.10kb]Alloy systems
| Alloy series | Major alloying element |
| 1??? | Pure aluminium (99.0% and greatest) |
| 2??? | Copper is major addition |
| 3??? | Manganese is major addition |
| 4??? | Silicon is major addition |
| 5??? | Magnesium is major addition |
| 6??? | Magnesium and silicon are major additions |
| 7??? | Zinc is major addition |
| 8??? | Alloys not covered above |
Understanding an Alloy code
An alloy code is made up of 4 digits e.g. 5052 where:
5 = major alloying element i.e. magnesium
0 = Indicates changes to minor alloying elements i.e. no changes to original alloy since it was introduced
52 = Alloy identification number i.e. identifies the chemical composition of this alloy
Alloy Systems used in Rolled Products
| Alloy | Example Alloy |
| 1??? = | 1145 |
| 3??? = | 3004 |
| 5??? = | 5005 |
Heat Treatable and Non-heat Treatable Alloys
| Alloy | Treatable/Non-treatable |
| 1??? = | Non-heat treatable |
| 3??? = | Non-heat treatable |
| 5??? = | Non-heat treatable |
| 6??? = | Heat treatable |
Non-heat treatable alloys can be hardened by cold work. The degree of work hardening is designated by the Temper. Heat treatable alloys (the 2000, 6000, and 7000 series) are able to be solution treated and then age-hardened.
Temper Designation Systems
| Temper | Hardness |
| 0 | Soft |
| H?2 | ¼ hard |
| H?4 | ½ hard |
| H?6 | ¾ hard |
| H?8 | Hard |
Where ? can be:
1 = As rolled - no final anneal e.g. H12
2 = Strain hardened and then partially annealed (200ºC - 260ºC) e.g. H24
3 = Strain hardened and then stabilised (150ºC) e.g. H36
