There is no doubt that Aluminum in its pure state is a universal metal that is utilized in an array of applications. However, when aluminum is combined with other elements, making what is known as an aluminum alloy, its broad range of applications is extended even further.

Here is some information on the different types and multiple uses of aluminum alloy.

1000 series are essentially pure aluminium with a minimum 99% aluminium content by weight and can be work hardened.

It is the most commonly used series in the current industry. Most of the circulation in the market is the 1050 and 1060 series. The 1000 series aluminum plate determines the minimum aluminum content of this series according to the last two Arabic numerals. For example, the last two digits of the 1050 series are 50. According to the international trademark nomenclature, the aluminum content must be above 99.5% and it is a qualified product. China’s aluminum alloy technical standard (gB/T3880-2006) also clearly stipulates that the aluminum content of 1050 will reach 99.5%. The same reason, the aluminum content of the 1060 series aluminum sheet must reach 99.6% or more.

2000 series are alloyed with copper, can be precipitation hardened to strengths comparable to steel. Formerly referred to as duralumin, they were once the most common aerospace alloys, but were susceptible to stress corrosion cracking and are increasingly replaced by 7000 series in new designs.

3000 series are alloyed with manganese, and can be work hardened.

4000 series are alloyed with silicon. Variations of Aluminum-silicon alloys intended for casting (and therefore not included in 4000 series) are also known as silumin.

5000 series are alloyed with magnesium, and offer superb corrosion resistance, making them suitable for marine applications. Also, 5083 alloy has the highest strength of not heat-treated alloys.

6000 series are alloyed with magnesium and silicon. They are easy to machine, are weldable, and can be precipitation hardened, but not to the high strengths that 2000 and 7000 can reach. 6061 alloy is one of the most commonly used general-purpose aluminium alloys.

7000 series are alloyed with zinc, and can be precipitation hardened to the highest strengths of any aluminium alloy (ultimate tensile strength up to 700 MPa for the 7068 alloy).

8000 series are alloyed with other elements which are not covered by other series. Aluminium-lithium alloys are an example