Understand aluminum alloys of series 1-9 in one article

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Options include 1060, 1070, 1100, etc. Features: contains over 99.00% aluminum, good electrical conductivity, good corrosion resistance, good weldability, low strength, and cannot be strengthened through heat treatment. Since it does not contain any other alloying elements, its production process is relatively simple, resulting in a lower price. Application range: High-purity aluminum (with an aluminum content of over 99.9%) is mainly used for scientific experiments, the chemical industry, and special applications. Series II: 2017, 2024, etc. Characteristics: Aluminum alloys with copper as the main alloying element. (The copper content is between 3-5%); manganese, magnesium, lead, and bismuth are also added to improve machinability. For example, with 2011 alloy, safety precautions must be taken during melting (harmful gases are generated). The 2014 alloy is used in the aviation industry due to its high strength. The 2017 alloy has slightly lower strength than the 2014 alloy, but it is easier to process. Heat-treatable strengthening in 2014. Disadvantage: Severe tendency to intergranular corrosion. Application areas: aerospace industry (2014 alloy), screws (2011 alloy), and industries with high operating temperatures (2017 alloy). Series 3: 3003, 3004, 3005, etc. Characteristics: Aluminum alloys with manganese as the main alloying element (manganese content ranging from 1.0–1.5%). It cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, has good corrosion resistance, good weldability, and good ductility (close to super aluminum alloys). Disadvantage: Low strength, but the strength can be increased through cold working hardening ； Coarse grains tend to form during annealing. Application areas: Seamless oil guide tubes used in aircraft (3003 alloy), aluminum cans (3004 alloy). Series 4: 4004, 4032, 4043 – These are aluminum alloys in which silicon is the main alloying element (with a silicon content ranging from 4.5 to 6%). Most of these alloys belong to aluminum alloys that cannot be strengthened by heat treatment; only those containing copper, magnesium, and nickel, as well as alloys that have been strengthened by welding heat treatment followed by the addition of certain elements, can be strengthened through heat treatment. Due to their high silicon content, low melting point, good melt fluidity, which facilitates filling of gaps, and the fact that they do not cause brittleness in the final product, these alloys are primarily used as additives in aluminum alloy welding, such as in brazing sheets, electrodes, and welding wires. Furthermore, due to the good wear resistance and high-temperature performance of some alloys in this series, they are also used to manufacture pistons and heat-resistant components. Alloys containing about 5% silicon turn black-gray after anodizing for coloring, making them suitable for use as building materials and in the manufacture of decorative elements. Series 5: 5052, 5083, 5754 – Characteristics: Magnesium is the main component (with a magnesium content of 3–5%). Low density, high tensile strength, high elongation, good weldability, good fatigue strength; it cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, and its strength can only be increased through cold working. Applications: lawn mower handles, aircraft fuel tank hoses, tanks, body armor, etc. Generally, shoe racks in the mid-range and above are of series 6 or series 7. Series 6 is made of 6061 and 6063 alloys; its characteristics include a high content of magnesium and silicon. Mg2Si is the main strengthening phase, and it is the most widely used alloy at present. 6063 and 6061 are the most commonly used; others include 6082, 6160, 6125, 6262, 6060, 6005, and 6463. 6063, 6060, and 6463 have relatively low strength in the 6 series. 6262, 6005, 6082, and 6061 have relatively high strength in the 6 series. The shelves in the middle section of Cyclone 2 are made of 6061; its characteristics include moderate strength, good corrosion resistance, good weldability, good processability (easy to extrude into shape), and good oxidation coloring properties. Application areas: Vehicles (such as car roof racks, doors, windows, body panels, radiators, compartment enclosures, phone cases, etc.). Series 7; materials 7050, 7075. Characteristics: Zinc is the main component, but sometimes small amounts of magnesium and copper are also added. Among them, super-hard aluminum alloys contain zinc, lead, magnesium, and copper, giving them a hardness similar to that of steel. The extrusion speed is slower than that of the 6-series alloy, and it has good weldability. 7005 and 7075 are the highest grades in the 7 series and can be strengthened through heat treatment. Application areas: aviation (structural components of aircraft, landing gears), rockets, propellers, spacecraft. Series 8: Other alloys – 8011 (used rarely for aluminum sheets; generally employed as aluminum foil). Applications: air-conditioning aluminum foil, etc. Series 9: Alternative alloys