Aluminum Alloy: Definition, Characteristics, Types, ...

One of the most popular metals in the manufacturing sector is aluminum. It is renowned for being extremely light and having a great strength-to-weight ratio. To develop materials with unique qualities appropriate to different industries, aluminum is combined with additional elements including: copper, magnesium, silicon, and zinc to create aluminum alloys.

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All kinds of products — including: consumer electronics, packaging, and parts for automobiles and airplanes — employ these alloys. Aluminum alloys come in many forms, and their particular compositions and traits tailor them to unique purposes. This article will go into further detail on the definition, traits, categories, characteristics, and uses of aluminum alloys.

What Is Aluminum Alloy?

Aluminum is a metal that can be combined with other elements including copper, magnesium, silicon, zinc, and manganese, to alter its mechanical and physical qualities. These metals are added in specific proportions to achieve the desired properties for a given application. For instance, combining magnesium with aluminum can result in a strong, light alloy ideal for use in the aerospace and automotive industries. Aluminum alloys sees extensive use in many different industries because of their low density, resistance to corrosion, and thermal conductivity. Many different items, including consumer electronics, automobiles, and aircraft, are made from aluminum alloys. For more information, see our guide on Aluminum.

What Is the History of Aluminum Alloy?

Naturally occurring compounds that contain aluminum have been known since antiquity, but aluminum’s elemental nature as a metal wasn’t confirmed until 1825. This came thanks to the efforts of German chemist Friedrich Wöhler and Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted. After being discovered, aluminum was difficult to process and cost more than gold. The price didn't start to drop until Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville, a French chemist, started the first industrial manufacture in 1856. It would be an additional 50 years before duralumin, the first structural aluminum alloy with appreciable strength, was created. It was developed with military and industrial purposes in mind. 

What Is Aluminum Alloy Made Of?

The following are some typical elements found in aluminum alloys:

1. Copper (Cu): Adding copper to aluminum increases its strength and hardness. An example of aluminum-copper alloy is 2024.
2. Zinc (Zn): Aluminum-zinc alloys are known for their strength and corrosion resistance. One common example is 7075
3. Magnesium (Mg): Aluminum-magnesium alloys are lightweight and have excellent corrosion resistance. An example of such an alloy is 5083.
4. Silicon (Si): Adding silicon to aluminum improves its casting properties and reduces shrinkage during solidification. 4043 aluminum alloy numbers among those that offer such exceptional qualities.

It is important to remember that many additional metallic and non-metallic elements can be added to aluminum alloys to improve their properties further. For example, chromium can be used to increase corrosion resistance while magnesium can be added to increase strength and toughness. Because of this, a large number of aluminum alloys are available, each with a distinctive set of properties and potential uses.

What Are the Characteristics of Aluminum Alloy?

Here are the characteristics of aluminum alloys:

1. Lightweight: Aluminum alloys have low densities, making them lightweight and ideal for applications where weight is a critical factor.
2. Corrosion Resistance: The surfaces of aluminum alloys form a natural oxide layer that protects against corrosion in many environments.
3. High Strength-to-weight Ratio: Aluminum alloys are strong and durable despite their low mass, making them useful in various applications where strength and weight must be carefully balanced.
4. Formability: Aluminum alloys can be easily shaped and formed, making them versatile in manufacturing processes.

However, since these traits can differ significantly depending on the particular alloy in question, it is crucial to refer to the pertinent material data sheet to gain a precise understanding of a given alloy's characteristics.

What Is the Color of Aluminum Alloy?

Most aluminum alloys have a metallic silver-gray color. This is caused by the material's surface oxidation, which naturally forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide. However, different finishing techniques like anodizing, painting, or powder coating can change how they look.

What Does Aluminum Alloy Look Like?

Figure 1 is an example of an aluminum alloy: 

Applications of 7075 Vs 6061 Aluminium Alloys

The difference in the properties and characteristics of the alloys determines which applications each is best suited for.

7075

7075 alloy doesn't have the best formability and weldability. But, it excels in high-stress applications that require strength. 7075 is also referred to as an "aircraft grade" alloy because it has one of the highest strength aluminium alloys in the market.

It’s used for spacecraft, aircraft missiles and other defence applications. It is also not uncommon to see 7075 grade in parts subjected to high wear and tear, military applications and structural materials.

6061

6061 aluminium alloy is more versatile because of its workability, corrosion resistance, strength and joinability. It has a vast range of applications that include welded assemblies, electronics, structural materials, piping, and fasteners, among others. It is used across various industries in various applications, including:

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·        Furniture

·        Aircraft fittings and structure

·        Yachts, sailboats, marine fittings and other shipbuilding hardware

·        Trucks, brakes, bus bodies, hydraulic pistons and other automotive applications

·        Mouldings

·        Awnings

·        Food and beverage cans

·        Appliance fittings

6061 aluminium comes in various forms, including aluminium plate, aluminium bar and aluminium tube.

Density

Aluminium has the same density. But because these are alloys made by adding other metals with different densities, the density of the alloy will change. Density is one of the most essential characteristics to consider when comparing the physical properties of metals.

7075 aluminium has a density of 2.81g/cm3, which is higher than that of pure aluminium. The alloy can also be strengthened using heat treatment processes, with the most common temper being 7075-T6.

6061 aluminium has a density of 2.7 g/cm3. It is about the same as pure aluminium metal, largely because of the high amount of aluminium the alloy contains.

Mechanical Properties

The alloys also have different mechanical properties with varying compositions in types and concentrations of alloying elements.

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