Choosing the Right Alloy
Selecting the best alloy for your project isn't always simple, but using our alloy guide we can find the perfect match together.
Choosing the right materials is central to any project, and this is no-less true of aluminum. One of aluminiums biggest advantages, and a reason it may seem daunting at first, is it's versitility. Aluminium can be paired with numerous elements, resulting in a huge variety of end-use applications.
Our aim is to make this process simpler. By using our wealth of in-house industry knowledge and experience, we can find the exact alloy to compliment your project, and even-better, to exceed your expectations.
Extrusion Alloys
Created using roughly 95% aluminium (Al), 4.5% copper (Cu) and 0.5% other materials, 2000 series alloys are typically used in a similar fashion to steel, but come with added weight, corrosive and shaping benefits.
Although more corrosive than other aluminium alloys, they can still outlast steel significantly
High malleability means the profiles can be shaped and sized in ways steel simply cannot
Up to 2.5 times lighter than their steel equivalent
Draw Backs
Often requires cladding as they are more susceptible to corrosion compared to other alloys
Their light weight comes at the cost of strength, sometimes requiring thicker profiles
Generally more expensive than steel
These alloys are by far the most versatile and commonly used in the industry for extrusion. This is due to the wide range of options available, making picking specific characteristics much easier.
Highly heat treatable, adding the possibility to strengthen profiles significantly and making them suitable for multiple construction and structural applications
Anodising can produce far more aesthetically pleasing finishes than other metals, making them ideal for interior design and architectural purposes
Finished and anodised profiles are virtually invulnerable to corrosion, even in extremely harsh environments, such as under-water
It's easy to weld with
Some alloys high strength can come at the cost of their anodising possibilities, and therefor impact the finish quality
The higher strength alloys also become much more difficult to extrude, making it near impossible to product some more complex profiles
As the strongest series alloy available, 7000 series aluminium is mostly used for construction, but is also present in the automotive and aerospace industries as well.
Very good strength relative to other alloys, and will maintain it's level for strength for longer
More resistant to heat, maintaining the afore-mentioned strength where other alloys may not
Ideal for anodising, although mainly for protective properties
Not as visually pleasing as 6000 series alloys as their strength limits anodising capabilities
Due to their strength, 7000 series alloys are difficult to extrude and limit profile complexity
They have a lower corrosive resistance than 6000 series alloys, although this can be improved by adding other materials
Non-Extrusion Alloys
Usually at-least 99% aluminium, 1000 series alloys are the purest available. These are non-heat treatable, and therefor much weaker than any of the extrudable alloys.
Good heat and electrical conductivity
Easily mouldable
Typically very weak, although moderate improvements can be made via cold working
Non-heat treatable
Moderately stronger that 1000 series alloys, 3000 series is commonly used to produce household items such as kettles and pans. This strength is achieved by adding some manganese to the alloy.
Equal heat and electrical conductivity to 1000 series
Equally high corrosion resistance
Only marginally less mouldable, although with slightly more strength
Still weak compared to other aluminium alloys
By adding silicon to the alloy, 4000 series aluminium obtains a beneficial electro-magnetic resistance, making it ideal for producing hard-drive trays, for example.
Good electro-magnetic resistance
Ideal thermal and electrical conductivity
Difficult to machine, mould and shape due to the brittleness of the silicon