Common alloys of aluminum strip include 1xxx series (pure aluminum, good corrosion resistance), 3xxx series (aluminum-manganese alloy, good formability), 5xxx series (aluminum-magnesium alloy, strong corrosion resistance and weldability), 6xxx series (aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy, excellent mechanical properties), 8xxx series (aluminum-fe alloy, high strength). Different alloys are suitable for aviation, construction, food packaging and other fields.
Classification and composition of common aluminum strip alloys:
Alloy series | Typical grades | Main components | Material state |
1000 series | 1050 | 99.5% Al | O (annealed state) |
1060 | 99.6% Al | H14 (semi-hard state) | |
3000 series | 3003 | Al-Mn (Mn 1.0-1.5%) | H18 (fully hard state) |
5000 series | 5052 | Al-Mg (Mg 2.2-2.8%) | H32 (stable state) |
5083 | Al-Mg-Mn (Mg 4.0-4.9%) | H116/H321 | |
6000 series | 6061 | Al-Mg-Si (Mg 1.0%, Si 0.6%) | T6 (solution aging) |
8000 series | 8011 | Al-Fe-Si (Fe 0.5-0.9%) | H24 (medium hard state) |
8079 | Al-Fe (Fe 0.7-1.3%) | O (annealed state) |
Comparison of properties and uses of various aluminum strip alloys:
1. 1000 series pure aluminum (1050, 1060)
- Characteristics:
Excellent electrical/thermal conductivity (conductivity ≥ 62% IACS)
Excellent corrosion resistance, good plasticity (elongation ≥ 30%)
Low strength (tensile strength 70-110 MPa)
- Typical applications:
Electronic component heat sink (such as LED substrate)
Food packaging foil (thickness 0.006-0.2mm)
Capacitor electrode material
2. 3000 series aluminum alloy (3003)
- Characteristics:
Contains manganese for strengthening, and the strength is increased by 50% compared with 1 series (tensile strength 120-180 MPa)
Good corrosion resistance, can be anodized
Excellent welding performance (weld strength retention rate ≥ 90%)
- Typical applications:
Chemical storage tank lining (acid and alkali corrosion resistance)
Architectural decorative panels (colored after oxidation)
Automobile fuel tank shell
3. 5000 series aluminum alloy (5052, 5083)
- Features:
5052:
Medium strength (tensile strength 210-240 MPa)
Seawater corrosion resistance (corrosion rate <0.02mm/year)
Good deep drawing performance (cupping value ≥8mm)
5083:
High strength (tensile strength 270-310 MPa)
Excellent corrosion resistance in marine environment (suitable for long-term immersion)
Good low-temperature toughness (-196℃ impact energy ≥15J)
- Typical applications:
5052: Ship interior panels, automotive sheet metal parts, mobile phone housings
5083: Ocean-going ship decks, LNG storage tanks, offshore platform structures
4. 6000 series aluminum alloy (6061)
- Features:
High comprehensive strength (T6 state tensile strength ≥310 MPa)
Excellent cutting performance (cutting force is 20% lower than 5 series)
Can be anodized and electroplated
General corrosion resistance (surface treatment required)
- Typical applications:
Aerospace structural parts (such as aircraft wing ribs)
Precision mechanical guide rails (T651 state)
High-end bicycle frames
5. 8000 series aluminum alloys (8011, 8079)
- Features:
8011:
High formability (elongation ≥ 25%)
Strong moisture barrier (water vapor permeability < 0.1g/m²·day)
8079:
Ultra-thin processing capability (can be rolled to 0.0045mm)
Excellent heat sealing performance (heat sealing strength ≥ 3N/15mm)
- Typical applications:
8011: Pharmaceutical blister packaging, air conditioning cooling fins
8079: Aseptic food soft packaging, lithium battery current collector
Key indicators for selection
- Corrosion resistance: Marine environment priority 5000 series (5083 > 5052), 3000 series/6000 series can be selected for normal environment.
- Strength requirements:
Low load: 1000 series/3000 series
Medium and high load: 5000 series/6000 series
- Processing technology:
Deep drawing/stretching: 5052 (limit drawing ratio ≥2.0)
Welding structure: 3003/5083 (weld coefficient 0.9)
- Cost control:
Economic type: 1000 series/3000 series (price is 30-50% lower than 5000 series)
High performance: 5083/6061
