Aluminum comes in many different shapes and grades. At Tuowei Prototype, we can assist you in selecting the best kind of Aluminum for your rapid aluminium prototype projects. Grades of Aluminum range from (1000 to 8000 series), so there are a lot of choices! The three most widely and commonly used auminum grades in our rapid aluminium prototype product development industry for making parts by Multi axis CNC Machining are: (5000, 6000, and 7000 series), which are ideal for making industrial, marine, automotive, and aerospace parts. Our expert metallurgical specialists can provide detailed metal chemical analysis, and structural design analysis.

Here are seven key concerns to think about:

When choosing an aluminum grade, consider if the following are important factors:

·         Formability or Workability

·         Weldability

·         Machining

·      Corrosion Resistance

·         Heat Treating

·         Strength

·         Typical end use applications

Is Formability or Workability (the fashioning parts through mechanical deformation) an important factor?

·         Alloy 1100 – Excellent Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 2011 – Good Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 2024 – Good Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 3003 – Excellent Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 5052 – Good Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 6061 – Good Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 6063 – Good Formability / Workability

·         Alloy 7075 – Poor Formability / Workability

 Is the Weldability of the Aluminum an important factor?

·         Alloy 1100 – Excellent Weldability

·         Alloy 2011 – Poor Weldability

·         Alloy 2024 – Poor Weldability

·         Alloy 3003 – Excellent Weldability

·         Alloy 5052 – Good Weldability

·         Alloy 6061 – Good Weldability

·         Alloy 6063 – Good Weldability

·         Alloy 7075 – Poor Weldability

Is the Machining of the Aluminum an important factor?

·         Alloy 1100 – Good Machinability (Best if Hard Temper)

·         Alloy 2011 – Excellent Machinability

·         Alloy 2024 – Fair Machinability (Best in Annealed Condition)

·         Alloy 3003 – Good Machinability

·         Alloy 5052 – Fair Machinability (Better if Hard Temper)

·         Alloy 6061 – Good Machinability (T4 and T6 Tempers only)

·         Alloy 6063 – Fair Machinability

·         Alloy 7075 – Fair Machinability (Best in Annealed Condition)

Is Corrosion Resistance of the Aluminum an important factor?

·         Alloy 1100 – Excellent Corrosion Resistance

·         Alloy 2011 – Poor Corrosion Resistance

·         Alloy 2024 – Poor Corrosion Resistance

·         Alloy 3003 – Good Corrosion Resistance

·         Alloy 5052 – Excellent Corrosion Resistance (Preferred in marine applications)

·         Alloy 6061 – Excellent Corrosion Resistance

·         Alloy 6063 – Good Corrosion Resistance

·         Alloy 7075 – Average Corrosion Resistance

Is Heat Treating of the Aluminum an important factor?

·         Alloy 1100 – Does not respond to Heat Treatment

·         Alloy 2011 – Can be Heat Treated

·         Alloy 2024 – Can be Heat Treated

·         Alloy 3003 – Does not respond to Heat Treatment

·         Alloy 5052 – Does not respond to Heat Treatment

·         Alloy 6061 – Can be Heat Treated

·         Alloy 6063 – Can be Heat Treated

·         Alloy 7075 – Can be Heat Treated

 Is the Strength of the Aluminum an important factor?

·         Alloy 1100 – Not used for high-strength or high-pressure applications

·         Alloy 2011 – A high mechanical strength alloy

·         Alloy 2024 – A high strength aluminum alloy

·         Alloy 3003 – Medium strength

·         Alloy 5052 – Medium to high strength alloy

·         Alloy 6061 – Medium to high strength alloy

·         Alloy 6063 – Medium strength

·         Alloy 7075 – A high strength aluminum alloy

Typical end use applications of Aluminum Grades:

·         Alloy 1100 – Metal Spinning and General Fabrication

·         Alloy 2011 – General Aluminum Machining

·         Alloy 2024 – Aerospace Applications

·         Alloy 3003 – Food & Chemical Equipment – General Fabrication

·         Alloy 5052 – Marine Applications – General Fabrication

·         Alloy 6061 – Structural Applications – General Fabrication

·         Alloy 6063 – Architectural Applications

·         Alloy 7075 – Aerospace Applications 

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