Aluminum Grades

Aluminum is one of the most versatile metals available. It is lightweight, with a high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion-resistant, and 100% recyclable. As a result, it is widely used across many industrial applications.

At Continental Steel & Tube Company, we supply a comprehensive selection of aluminum alloys in the series 1XXX, 3XXX, 5XXX, 6XXX as well as high-strength 2XXXX/7XXX series. Multiple shapes and forms are available, including:

  • Angle
  • Coil
  • Pipe
  • Strip
  • Tube (e.g., rectangular, square)
  • Bar (e.g., square, round, rectangular, hex)
  • Custom Extrusions
  • Plate
  • Tee
  • Channel
  • I Beam
  • Sheet
  • Tread Plate

Aluminum is highly versatile, with many properties that make it suitable for structural, decorative, lightweighting, corrosive, outdoor, or other use cases.

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Aluminum Grades
Aluminum Grades
Aluminum Grades
Aluminum Grades
  • 1000 Series
  • 2000 Series
  • 3000 Series
  • 5000 Series
  • 6000 Series
  • 7000 Series

    • Understanding Aluminum Alloy Series

    The Aluminum Association (AA) grades aluminum alloys using a four digit system. The first digit indicates the primary alloying element. Each series is composed of related alloys developed for specific properties and characteristics. The series are defined as follows:

    • 1XXX: Pure aluminum (≥99% Al), with exceptional corrosion resistance.
    • 2XXX: Copper (Cu) for a high-strength alloy commonly used in aerospace applications.
    • 3XXX: Manganese (Mn) for moderate strength and excellent workability.
    • 5XXX: Magnesium (Mg) for very good weldability and corrosion resistance, particularly in marine applications.
    • 6XXX: A combination of Magnesium (Mg) and Silicon (Si) makes aluminum heat treatable, and imparts good strength, machinability, and formability.
    • 7XXX: Zinc (Zn) adds strength for aerospace, automotive, and other structural applications.
    Understanding Aluminum Alloy Series
    Understanding Aluminum Alloy Series

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    Aluminum Alloy Grades: Types, Properties, and Available Forms

    1XXX Series
    2XXX Series
    3XXX Series
    5XXX Series
    6XXX Series
    7XXX Series
    1XXX Series

    1XXX Series: Commercially Pure Aluminum

    1100
    Soft, low-strength, non-heat-treatable alloy that exhibits high ductility and strong corrosion resistance. This is the purest grade of aluminum (≥99%) that is commercially available and offers excellent finishing capabilities.

    Forms
    Coil, Plate, Round Wire, Sheet.
    2XXX Series

    2XXX Series: Aluminum-Copper Alloys

    2011
    Age-hardenable alloy known for its high strength, mechanical properties, and free-machining characteristics; Close tolerances can be achieved while maintaining a bright, smooth finish; Unlike other aluminum alloys, it does not offer good weldability or corrosion resistance.

    Forms
    Hexagon Road, Round Rod.

    2014
    Precipitation-hardening alloy that maintains excellent strength after heat treatment, featuring good welding and machinability capabilities; Often used in structural and aerospace applications.

    Forms
    Hex Bar, Rectangular Bar, Round Rod, Square Bar.

    2017
    Heat-treatable wrought alloy that features relatively high strength and good ductility; Stronger than Aluminum 2011 and has fair corrosion resistance and workability.

    Forms
    Round Rod.

    2024
    High-strength alloy commonly used in critical aerospace applications, offering good fatigue resistance.

    Forms
    Bar, Plate, Rod, Sheet.

    2219
    Age-hardenable alloy containing a copper additive for good weldability and excellent structural strength in high-temperature aerospace/space applications.

    Forms
    Bar, Extrusion, Plate, Sheet.
    3XXX Series

    3XXX Series: Aluminum-Manganese Alloys

    3003
    Widely used general purpose alloy with moderate strength, exhibiting good corrosion resistance, weldability, and workability.

    Forms
    Coil, Plate, Sheet, Tube.
    5XXX Series

    5XXX Series: Aluminum-Magnesium Alloys

    5005
    Low-density aluminum magnesium alloy with good formability and medium strength; Non-heat-treatable; Excellent thermal conductivity and superior corrosion resistance; Commonly used for decorative trim or architectural applications.

    Forms
    Coil, Sheet.

    5052
    Commonly used high-strength, non-heat treatable alloy; Corrosion resistant for use in chemical and marine applications.

    Forms
    Coil, Sheet.

    5086
    High-strength alloy with excellent resistance to corrosion in marine applications (e.g., heavy-duty components, ship hulls); Resists stress-corrosion.

    Forms
    Coil, Plate, Sheet.

    5657
    Medium strength, non-heat treatable alloy that is excellent for anodizing; Good workability and brightness for decorative finishes; Corrosion resistant.

    Forms
    Coil, Sheet.
    6XXX Series

    6XXX Series: Aluminum-Magnesium-Silicon Alloys

    6013
    Wrought alloy that is the free-machining version of 6061; High strength with excellent compressive properties, outstanding formability and corrosion resistance.

    Forms
    Round Rod.

    6061
    Widely used heat-treatable alloy that is ideal for structural components; Exhibits good weldability, strength, and corrosion resistance.

    Forms
    Angle, Channel, Coil, Hexagon Round, I Beam, Pipe, Plate, Rectangular Bar, Round Bar, Sheet, Square Bar, Square Tube, Tee, Tread Plate, Tube.

    6063
    Known as "architectural alloy" and features high corrosion resistance and excellent finishing characteristics; Suitable for complex extrusions.

    Forms
    Angle, Channel, Pipe, Rectangular Bar, Rectangular Tube, Round Bar, Square Bar, Square Tube.

    6101
    Alloy with high electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength; Commonly used for electrical bus conductors.

    Forms
    Rectangular Bus Bar.

    6262
    Free-machining alloy with good strength and corrosion resistance, with excellent machinability.

    Forms
    Round Rod.
    7XXX Series

    7XXX Series: Aluminum-Zinc Alloys

    7050
    Heat-treatable alloy with a superior combination of strength, toughness, and stress-corrosion cracking resistance; Often preferred over Aluminum 7075 for most modern aerospace applications.

    Forms
    Plate.

    7075
    High-strength alloy with excellent resistance to stress-corrosion cracking, particularly in T6 temper; Commonly used for critical aerospace parts.

    Forms
    Rectangular Bar, Plate, Round Rod, Sheet.

    7178
    Primary alloying elements are magnesium and copper; One of the highest strength aluminum alloys available commercially; Commonly used in metalworking applications.

    Forms
    Extrusion, Sheet.

    7475
    Higher strength, better fatigue resistance and fracture toughness when compared with Aluminum 7075.

    Forms
    Plate, Sheet.

    Aluminum Tempers

    Temper designations (i.e., O, H, T) indicate which mechanical or thermal treatments were applied in order to enhance various mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, and ductility.

    • Temper Categories

      Aluminum tempers are designated as follows:

      OHT
      Annealed; lower strength, highly ductile and workable.Strain hardened (i.e., rolling or pressing).Thermally treated (i.e., heat treated).
    • Grades Available
      • O-Temper
      • H34
      • T6
      • T73
      • H116
      • T3
      • T651
      • T81
      • H14
      • T31
      • T6511
      • T851
      • H32
      • T3511
      • T73511
      • T8511
      • H321
      • T4
      • T7451

    Related Aluminum Insights and Resources

    Specialty Aluminum Grades & Forms
    Specialty Aluminum Grades & Forms Read More
    AMS Standards For Aluminum in the Aerospace Industry
    AMS Standards For Aluminum in the Aerospace Industry Read More
    A Guide to Understanding Marine Grade Aluminum
    A Guide to Understanding Marine Grade Aluminum Read More

    Continental Steel & Tube: Your Trusted Aluminum Supply Partner

    Continental Steel & Tube Company is recognized as a leading global distributor and supplier of quality metals. Since 1985, we have provided our customers with aluminum alloys in a wide variety of grades and forms. We are AS9120B:2016 registered and ISO 9001:2015 certified, and strive to meet our customers’ requirements in everything we do.

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