Comparing the Composition, Properties, and Applications of Aluminum Alloys 5052 and 6061

Aluminum alloys are widely used in various applications due to their excellent properties. Two common aluminum alloys are 5052 and 6061, which have their own unique compositions and properties. In this article, we will compare the composition and properties of these two alloys.

Composition: 5052 is an aluminum-magnesium alloy that contains about 2.2-2.8% magnesium, while 6061 is an aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy that contains about 0.6-1.2% magnesium and 0.4-0.8% silicon. Additionally, 6061 contains a small amount of copper (0.15-0.40%) and zinc (0.25%).

Properties:

1.   Corrosion Resistance: Both 5052 and 6061 have good corrosion resistance, making them suitable for use in harsh environments. However, 5052 has better resistance to saltwater and industrial chemical environments.

2.   Strength: 6061 has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than 5052, making it suitable for use in structural applications where strength is important.

3.  Formability: 5052 has good formability, but 6061 is more difficult to form due to its higher strength and hardness.

4.   Weldability: Both alloys have good weldability, but 5052 is easier to weld due to its higher magnesium content.

5.   Machinability: 6061 has better machinability than 5052 due to its lower strength and hardness.

6.   Heat Treatment: 6061 can be heat treated to improve its strength and hardness, while 5052 cannot be heat treated.

Applications:

5052 is commonly used in marine and transportation applications such as boats, ships, and aircraft, as well as structural and architectural applications such as building facades, roofs, and panels. It is also used in chemical and food processing equipment, sheet metal work, electronic components and appliances, and pressure vessels and tanks.

6061 is commonly used in structural applications such as bridges, buildings, and aircraft, as well as automotive parts, marine components, and bicycle frames. It is also used in electrical components, pipes and tubes, and sporting equipment.

In conclusion, both 5052 and 6061 aluminum alloys offer excellent properties, but they have some differences in composition, properties, and applications. 5052 is easier to form and is commonly used in marine and transportation applications, while 6061 is stronger and more commonly used in structural applications.

Comparing the Composition, Properties, and Applications of Aluminum Alloys 3003 and 5052

3003 and 5052 are both aluminum alloys that are widely used in various industries due to their excellent properties. In this article, we will compare the composition and properties of both alloys.

Composition: 3003 is an aluminum-manganese alloy that contains about 1-1.5% manganese, while 5052 is an aluminum-magnesium alloy that contains about 2.2-2.8% magnesium. Additionally, 3003 contains a small amount of copper (0.05-0.20%), while 5052 contains chromium (0.15-0.35%) and a smaller amount of copper (0.10% maximum).

3003 Aluminum Plates

Properties:

1.   Corrosion Resistance: Both 3003 and 5052 have excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for use in harsh environments. However, 5052 has better resistance to saltwater and industrial chemical environments.

2.   Strength: 5052 has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than 3003, making it suitable for use in structural applications where strength is important.

3.   Formability: Both alloys have good formability, but 3003 is easier to form and shape due to its higher ductility.

4.   Weldability: Both alloys have good weldability, but 5052 is easier to weld due to its higher magnesium content.

5.    Machinability: Both alloys have good machinability, but 3003 is easier to machine due to its lower strength and hardness.

6.   Surface Finish: Both alloys have excellent surface finishes, allowing them to be easily polished, anodized, or painted.

Applications:

3003 is commonly used in low-load applications that require high plasticity and good weldability, such as kitchen utensils, food and chemical product processing and storage devices, tanks, and tanks for transporting liquid products, various pressure vessels and pipes processed with thin plates, general utensils, heat sinks, cosmetic plates, photocopier rollers, and ship materials.

5052 is commonly used in marine and transportation applications such as boats, ships, and aircraft, as well as structural and architectural applications such as building facades, roofs, and panels. It is also used in chemical and food processing equipment, sheet metal work, electronic components and appliances, and pressure vessels and tanks.

In conclusion, while both 3003 and 5052 aluminum alloys offer excellent properties, they have some differences in composition, properties, and applications. 3003 is easier to form and is commonly used in low-load applications, while 5052 is stronger and more commonly used in structural and marine applications.

 

Composition and Properties of 3003 Aluminum Plate

The 3003 aluminum plate belongs to the aluminum-manganese alloy series, and is widely used as an anti-rust aluminum plate due to its excellent corrosion resistance. Although its strength is not high, it has good formability and weldability. 

This product is commonly used for low-load parts that require high plasticity and work in liquid or gas media, such as kitchen utensils, chemical product processing and storage devices, tanks, and pressure vessels. 

The 3003 aluminum alloy contains aluminum, silicon, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron, with aluminum being the primary component. 

The alloy exhibits excellent corrosion resistance against a variety of substances, including the atmosphere, freshwater, seawater, food, organic acid, and dilute acid.

Its material composition consists of:

• Aluminum (Al): 96.8%
• Manganese (Mn): 1.2%
• Copper (Cu): 0.12%
• Iron (Fe): 0.7%
• Zinc (Zn): 0.15%
• Silicon (Si): 0.6%
• Other elements: 0.15% (maximum) each, and 0.05% maximum for the total of all other elements.

Some of the key characteristics of 3003 aluminum plate include:

• High formability and workability, which allows for easy bending, cutting, and shaping.
• Good corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in wet environments or applications where exposure to corrosive substances is expected.
• Moderate strength, making it suitable for use in applications that do not require high strength, but still need to withstand moderate loads.
• Excellent weldability, which makes it easy to join with other materials using various welding techniques.
• Excellent surface finish, which allows for high-quality surface treatments such as anodizing, painting, or polishing.

Aluminum alloys

General Information

Aluminum is a silverish white metal that has a strong resistance to corrosion and like gold, is rather malleable. It is a relatively light metal compared to metals such as steel, nickel, brass, and copper with a specific gravity of 2.7. Aluminum is easily machinable and can have a wide variety of surface finishes. It also has good electrical and thermal conductivities and is highly reflective to heat and light.

Characteristics

At extremely high temperatures (200-250°C) aluminum alloys tend to lose some of their strength. However, at subzero temperatures, their strength increases while retaining their ductility, making aluminum an extremely useful low-temperature alloy. Aluminum alloys have a strong resistance to corrosion which is a result of an oxide skin that forms as a result of reactions with the atmosphere. This corrosive skin protects aluminum from most chemicals, weathering conditions, and even many acids, however alkaline substances are known to penetrate the protective skin and corrode the metal. Aluminum also has a rather high electrical conductivity, making it useful as a conductor. Copper is the more widely used conductor, having a conductivity of approximately 161% that of aluminum. Aluminum connectors have a tendency to become loosened after repeated usage leading to arcing and fire, which requires extra precaution and special design when using aluminum wiring in buildings. Aluminum is a very versatile metal and can be cast in any form known. It can be rolled, stamped, drawn, spun, roll-formed, hammered and forged. The metal can be extruded into a variety of shapes, and can be turned, milled, and bored in the machining process. Aluminum can riveted, welded, brazed, or resin bonded. For most applications, aluminum needs no protective coating as it can be finished to look good, however it is often anodized to improve color and strength.

Typical Physical/Mechanical Properties

Density: 2600-2800 kg/m3 Melting Point: 660 °C Elastic Modulus: 70-79 GPa Poisson's Ratio: 0.33 Tensile Strength: 230-570 MPa Yield Strength: 215-505 MPa Percent Elongation: 10-25%

Typical Thermal Properties

Thermal Expansion Coefficient: 20.4-25.0 × 10-6/K

Temper Designations

F As fabricated. Applies to products in which no thermal treatments or strain-hardening methods are used to shaped the product. H Strain-hardened (wrought products only). Applies to products which have their strength increased by strain-hardening, with or without additional thermal treatments to produce a reduction in strength. H1 Strain-hardened only. Applies to products which are strain-hardened to achieve the strength desired without additional thermal treatment. H1x,H2x,H3x The second digit following the designations H1, H2, H3 indicate the final degree of strain hardening. The number 8 has been assigned to tempers having a final degree of strain-hardening equivalen to that resulting from approxiamtely 75 % reduction in area. Tempers between that of the 0 Temper (annealed) and 8 (full hard) are designated by the numbers 1 through 7. A number 4 (which is halfway between 0 and 8) designation is considered half-hard; number 2 is considered quarter-hard; and the number 6 is three-quarter hard. When the number is odd, the limits of ultimate strength are exactly halfway between those of the even numbered tempers. Hxxx The third digit indicates a variation of the two digit H temper. It is used when the degree of temper is close to the 2 digit H temper. H111 Applies to alloys which are strain-hardened less than the amount required for a controlled H11 temper. H112 Applies to alloys that acquire some temper from shaping processes which do not have special control over the amount of strain-hardening or thermal treatment, but for which there are mechanical property limits. H2 Strain-hardened and partially annealed. Applies to alloys which are strain-hardened more than the desired final amount and then reduced in strength to the desired level by partial annealing. For alloys that soften with age at room temperature, the H2 tempers have the same minimum tensile strength as the corresponding H3 tempers. For other alloys, the H2 tempers have the same minimum tensile strength as the corresponding H1 tempers and slightly higher elongation. H3 Strain-hardened and stabilized. Applies to alloys that are strain-hardened and whose mechanical properties are stabilized by a low temperature thermal treatment that results in slightly lowered tensile strength and improved ductility. This designation is applicable only to those alloys that unless they are stabilized, will gradually soften with age at room temperature. H311 Applies to alloys which are strain-hardened less than the amount required for a controlled H31 temper. H321 Applies to alloys which are strain-hardened less than the amount required for a controlled H32 temper. H323 Applies to products which are fabricated to have good resistance to stress corrosion cracking. H343 Applies to products which are fabricated to have good resistance to stress corrosion cracking. O Annealed, recrystallized (wrought products only). Applies to wrought alloys which are annealed to obtain the softest temper, and to cast alloys which are annealed to improve ductility and dimensional stability. T Thermally treated to produce stable tempers other than F, O or H. Applies to products which are thermally treated, with or without additional strain-hardening, to produce stable tempers. T1 Naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. Applies to alloys which are not cold worked after cooling from a high temperature shaping process, or in which the effect of cold working in flattening or straightening may not be significant in mechanical property limits. T2 Annealed (cast products only). Applies to alloys which are cold worked to improve strength after cooling from an elevated temperature shaping process, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening is significant in mechanical property limits. T3 Solution heat-treated and then cold worked. Applies to alloys which are cold worked to improve strength after solution heat treatment, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening is significant in mechanical property limits. T4 Solution heat-treated and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. Applies to alloys which are not cold worked after solution heat treatment, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening may not be significant in mechanical property limits. T42 indicates material is solution heat treated from the O or F temper to demonstrate response to heat-treatment, and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. T5 Artificially aged only. Applies to alloys which are not cold worked after cooling from an elevated temperature shaping process, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening may not be significant in mechanical property limits. T51 Stress relieved by stretching. Applies to the following products when stretched the indicated amounts after solution heat-treatment or cooled from a high temperature shaping process: Plate—1.5-3% permanent set; Rod, bar, shapes, and extruded tubes—1-3% permanent set; Drawn tubes— 1.5-3% permanent set. Applies directly to plate, and rolled or cold finished rod and bar which receive no further straightening after stretching. Applies to extruded rod, bar, shapes, tubing, and to drawn tubing when designated as follows: T510 Products that receive no further straight ending after stretching; T511 Products that may receive minor straightening after stretching to comply with standard tolerances. T52 Stress-relieved by compressing. Applies to alloys which are stress-relieved by compressing after solution heat-treatment, or cooled from a high temperature shaping process to produce a permanent set of 1 to 5%. T54 Stress-relieved by combined stretching and compressing. Applicable to die forging which are stress-relieved by restring cold in the finish die. T6 Solution heat-treated and then artificially aged. Applies to alloys which are not cold worked after solution heat-treatment, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening may not be significant in mechanical property limits. T62 indicates material is solution heat-treated from the O or F temper to demonstrate response to heat-treatment, and artificially aged. T7 Solution heat-treated and then stabilized. Applies to products which are stabilized after solution heat-treatment to carry them beyond the point of maximum strength to provide control of some special property. T8 Solution heat-treated, cold worked, and then artificially aged. Applies to products which are cold worked to improve strength, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening is significant in mechanical property limits. T9 Solution heat-treated, artificially aged, and then cold worked. Applies to alloys which are cold worked to improve strength. T10 Artificially aged and then cold worked. Applies to products which are cold worked to improve strength, or in which the effect of cold work in flattening or straightening is significant in mechanical property limits. T42 (Wrought products only). Applicable to products solution heat-treated and naturally aged which have mechanical properties different from those of the T4 temper. T62 (Wrought products only). Applicable to products solution heat-treated and artificially aged which have mechanical properties different from those of the T6 temper. W Solution heat treated. An unstable temper applied only to alloys which spontaneously age at room temperature after solution heat-treatment.

Cast Aluminum Alloy
Name	Type
201.0	Cast
206.0	Cast
208.0	Cast
242.0	Cast
295.0	Cast
296.0	Cast
308.0	Cast
319.0	Cast
336.0	Cast
354.0	Cast
355.0	Cast
356.0	Cast
357.0	Cast
359.0	Cast
360.0	Cast
380.0	Cast
383.0	Cast
384.0	Cast
390.0	Cast
413.0	Cast
443.0	Cast
514.0	Cast
518.0	Cast
520.0	Cast
535.0	Cast
712.0	Cast
713.0	Cast
771.0	Cast
850.0	Cast
A206.0	Cast

A356.0	Cast
A357.0	Cast
A360.0	Cast
A380.0	Cast
A384.0	Cast
A390.0	Cast
A413.0	Cast
A443.0	Cast
A535.0	Cast
B443.0	Cast
B535.0	Cast
C355.0	Cast
C443.0	Cast

Wrought Aluminum Alloy
Name	Type
AA 1050	Wrought
AA 1060	Wrought
AA 1100	Wrought
AA 1145	Wrought
AA 1199	Wrought
AA 1350	Wrought
AA 2011	Wrought
AA 2014	Wrought
AA 2024	Wrought
AA 2036	Wrought
AA 2048	Wrought
AA 2124	Wrought
AA 2218	Wrought
AA 2219	Wrought
AA 2319	Wrought
AA 2618	Wrought
AA 3003	Wrought
AA 3004	Wrought
AA 3105	Wrought
AA 4032	Wrought
AA 4043	Wrought
AA 5005	Wrought
AA 5050	Wrought
AA 5052	Wrought
AA 5056	Wrought
AA 5083	Wrought
AA 5086	Wrought
AA 5154	Wrought
AA 5182	Wrought
AA 5252	Wrought

AA 5254	Wrought
AA 5356	Wrought
AA 5454	Wrought
AA 5456	Wrought
AA 5457	Wrought
AA 5652	Wrought
AA 5657	Wrought
AA 6005	Wrought
AA 6009	Wrought
AA 6010	Wrought
AA 6061	Wrought
AA 6063	Wrought
AA 6066	Wrought
AA 6070	Wrought
AA 6101	Wrought
AA 6151	Wrought
AA 6201	Wrought
AA 6205	Wrought
AA 6262	Wrought
AA 6351	Wrought
AA 6463	Wrought
AA 7005	Wrought
AA 7049	Wrought
AA 7050	Wrought
AA 7072	Wrought
AA 7075	Wrought
AA 7175	Wrought
AA 7178	Wrought
AA 7475	Wrought