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Aluminum Plate/Sheet Selection Guide
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2024
3003
5052
5086
6061
7075
Cast Aluminum Plate
Alumold Plate
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - 3003
About 20% higher in strength than 1100 but retaining an excellent workability rating. May show some slight discoloration when anodized, but reacts well to mechanical and organic finishings. Is easily welded and brazed, but soldering is limited to the torch method. Like 1100, tends to be gummy when machined, but will perform somewhat satisfactorily in the higher tempers with the proper set-up and maximum speeds. Typical end uses include food and chemical handling equipment, appliance components, truck/trailer roofifing, heat exchangers, pipe jacketing, and lawn furniture components.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - 5052
For many years, until the advent of 5083 and 5086, this alloy was the highest strength non-heat-treatable alloy commercially available. Although easily welded, it is not recommended for brazing and soldering applications. Excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in marine applications. Adapts to most mechanical and finishing processes although the heavier anodic films may take on a yellowish cast. Fair machining with the proper set-up. Typical end uses include fuel tanks, truck/trailer side panels, small boat hulls, truck cabs, bumpers, storage tanks, and pressure vessels.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - 5086
Sister alloy to 5083 with comparable characteristics but slightly less strength.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - 2024
Thought of as the "aircraft alloy" because of its strength, 2024 has only fair corrosion resistance but good machinability. Lends itself only to resistance welding as a hot joining process and is not recommended for brazing or soldering. In the annealed state, 2024 has good workability but is only fair to poor in tempers. Typical end uses are aircraft skins and cowls and truck and aircraft structurals.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - 6061
This is a popular general-purpose alloy. Very good corrosion resistance and finishability plus excellent weldability and a strength level approximating that of mild steel. Machinability is good and, in the annealed state, its workability carries a high rating, staying at the “good” level if heat-treated without aging. Typical end uses are aircraft landing mats, large and small marine vessels, structural architectural parts, storage tanks, and highway signs.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - 7075
One of the highest strength, commercially available alloys with fair corrosion resistance and machinability. Low workability rating and welded only by the resistance process. Typically used as aircraft skins, cowls, and structures.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - Alumold 500
A high strength 7XXX series aluminum mold plate product produced by Alcan. Alumold is rolled and stretched in thicknesses 1" through 8" and compression forged in 10" through 20"+Alumold 500 is a heat treated and stress relieved product that will bring you superior hardness and strength with better thermal conductivity when compared to other aluminum products. You will find Alumold 500 a terrific product to mill, polish, engrave/etch and weld. Altogether Alumold 500 will allow you to create a mold that has increased durability which will result in longer tool life, which makes this product a great option for a number of mold applications such as production and prototype injection and blow molds, foam molds, RIM molds or aluminum die sets.
ALUMINUM SHEET AND PLATE PRODUCTS - Cast Tool and Jig Plate (Mic-6®, Alca 5®, ATP 5TM and K100-STM)
When dimensional stability and flatness is critical, consider Cast Aluminum Tool and Jig Plate. This product has very low internal residual stress levels and as a result machines relatively stress free. It is also fully weldable, has superior corrosion resistance, and has an outstanding surface condition at 20 RMS or better allowing for excellent anodizability. Cast Aluminum Tool and Jig Plate is suitable for jigs, fixtures, mounting plates and low-strength/ low-pressure mold applications such as vacuum form mold.