Aluminum

Aluminum in its various forms is stocked in a range of strengths varying from that of Specification 1100-0 (which has a yield strength of around 5000 lbs. per square inch) to that of Specification 7075-T6 (yield strength of about 70,000 lbs. per square inch).

Here are a few typical applications within the range of these specifications –
Utility Sheet, is used for all general sheet metal work such as flashings, ductwork, lining walls, etc.

1100-0 is used primarily for spinning and deep drawing operations such as utensils, ornaments, etc.

1100-H14 and 3003-H14 are specification alloys used for general forming operations.

5005-H14 similar in physical characteristics to 3003-H14 with superior corrosion resistance and a homogenous smooth surface finish suitable for anodizing. This alloy is suitable for curtain walls, decorative trim, control panel boxes and signs, etc.

5052-H32 and H34 is a superior strength alloy of good forming qualities and is especially suited for Marine applications.

5454-H32 is a sister alloy to 5083 with a lower rating to stress corrosion when functioning in the 150°F to 300°F range. Typical uses are truck dump bodies, tanker trucks, exhaust stacks, chemical handling tanks on vessels, etc.

6061-T6 is an excellent all purpose alloy, having high strength and good corrosion resistance. It is used for all structural applications such as mine cars, logging chutes, and ship construction.

Painted Aluminum: 1100, 3003, 3105, 5005 and 5052 are just some of common alloys available in painted product. Painted aluminum is produced in a broad range of mechanical properties and the spectrum of finishes includes high durability exterior coatings, specialized epoxies, polyesters, textured polyesters, fluorocarbons and metallics as well as wash coat primers. Standard colours can be selected from or custom colour matching can be done to specification. Most coatings are available on one and two sides.

Customer Dies/Fabrication

As one of the industry’s leaders, we can offer you a complete package which will result in the production of a custom built die.
The service we offer includes the design and manufacture of a die capable of producing an Aluminum Extrusion to meet your specific requirements.
Many of our customers are now taking advantage of our technical expertise to produce fabricated parts from Aluminum Extrusions. We have available excellent precision cut to length, painting and anodizing, punching, stamping, CNC machining and welding capabilities, etc. which are at the disposal of our customers.

What the numbers mean

ALUMINUM ASSOCIATION ALLOY AND TEMPER DESIGNATION SYSTEMS – WROUGHT ALLOYS

The numbers used to describe aluminum wrought alloys conform to a code developed by the ALUMINUM ASSOCIATION. The first four figures in the grouping describe the alloys used. Other code figures or letters indicate the form of the product and the type of heat-treatment given.

Here is how it works.

Four Digit Numerical Designations

1st Digit – Indicates alloy group.
2nd Digit – Indicates modifications in impurity limits.
3rd & 4th Digits – Identify the different alloys in a group.

Alloy Groups
Alloy Number Major Alloying Elements

1 XXX – Aluminum – 99.00% minimum and greater
2 XXX – Copper
3 XXX – Manganese
4 XXX – Silicon
5 XXX – Magnesium
6 XXX – Magnesium & Silicon
7 XXX – Zinc
8 XXX – Other elements
9 XXX – Unused series
The letter “X” preceding a 4 digit series indicates experimental –
Example – X7004.

Tempers

These designations follow the above alloy numbers.
F – as fabricated – Products which have no special control over final temper.
O – Annealed
H– Strain-hardened – where increased strength is obtained by cold work.
T – Thermally treated to produce stable tempers other than “F”, “O” or “H”.
W – Solution heat treated resulting in an unstable temper.

The first number “5” identifies the alloy group – in this case MAGNESIUM.

The second number “0” indicates any modification of the original alloy. “0” means there was no modification.

The third and fourth numbers, (52), indicate the alloy in the group.

“H” indicates temper – strain hardened. The “3” means “hardened and stabilized” and the “4” means to a “half hard” condition.

Subdivision of H. Temper

The first digit following an H indicates the specific combination of basic operations:

H1 – Strain-hardened only.
H2 – Strain-hardened and partially annealed.
H3 – Strain-hardened and stabilized.
H4 – Strain-hardened and lacquered or painted.

The second digit following an H indicates the degree of strain-hardening:

H x 1 – Eighth hard
H x 2 – Quarter hard
H x 4 – Half hard
H x 6 – Three-quarter hard
H x 8 – Hard
H x 9 – Extra hard

A third digit is sometimes used when the degree of control of temper or mechanical properties are different from but close to those for the two-digit H temper designation.

H111 – Applies to products, which are strain hardened less than the amount
required for a controlled H11 temper.

H112 – Applies to products, which acquire some temper from shaping
processes not having special control over the amount of strain hardening
or thermal treatment, but for which there are mechanical
property limits.

H311 – Applies to products, which are strain-hardened less than the amount
required for a controlled H31 temper.

H321 – Applies to products, which are strain-hardened less than the amount
required for a controlled H32 temper.

H323-H343 – Applies to products, which are specially fabricated to have
acceptable resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

Subdivisions of T Temper

T1 – Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition.

T2 – Annealed (cast products only).
T3– Solution heat-treated and then cold worked.

T4 – Solution heat-treated and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition.

T5 – Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and then artificially aged.

T6 – Solution heat-treated and then artificially aged.

T7 – Solution heat-treated and then over aged/stabilized.

T8 – Solution heat-treated, cold worked, and then artificially aged.

T9 – Solution heat-treated, artificially aged, and then cold worked.

T10– Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process, cold worked and then artificially aged. Additional digits may be added to indicate a variation in treatment, which significantly alters the characteristics of the product.

T x 51 – Stress-relieved by stretching.

T x 510 – Products that receive no further straightening after stretching.

T x 511– Products that may receive minor straightening after stretching to comply with standard tolerances.

T x 52 – Stress-relieved by compressing.