Materials

269

Aluminum Alloys
Aluminum alloys do not possess the high strength and temperature capability of iron-, nickel- or cobalt-based alloys. They are very useful where low density and moderate strength capability are required. Because of their relatively low melting point (less than 660C), they can be h a t metreadily worked by a number of different processes t als w i t h higher melting points cannot. Aluminum alloys are designated by their major alloying consituent. The common classes of alloying additions are listed in Table 11. Since alloy additions affect the melting range and strengthening mechanisms, a number of classes of alloys are generated that can have varying responses to heat treatment. Some alloys are solution heat treated and naturally aged (at room t e m p e r a t u r e ) , while some are solution treated and dficially aged (at elevated temperature). Table 12 lists several possible treatments for wrought aluminum alloys, and Table 13 lists typical applications.
Table 12 Common Al Alloy Temper Designations
0 F
T1

T2

T3 T4

T5
T6 T7 T8 T9 T10

Annealed. As fabricated. Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process, cold worked, and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. Solution heat treated, cold wotked, and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. Solution heat treated and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition. Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and artifically aged. Solution treated and artificially aged. Solution treated and stabilized. Solution treated, cold worked, and artificially aged. Solution treated, cold worked, and artificially aged. Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process, cold worked, and artificially - ased. -

From ASM Metals Handbook, Vo/. 2,mEd. p 2 J

Table 13 Typical Applications and Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloys Table 11 Major Alloying Elements for Aluminum Alloys and Compositions for Some Commonly Used Alloys
series
lXXX

1050 1100 2014 2024 4032 4043 5052 6063 7075

Alloying element
~

2xxx 3xxx 4xxx 5xxx 6xxx

7xxx 8xxx
9 X X X AA
1050 1100 2014 2024 4032 4043 5052 6063 7075

None 99.00% or greater AI Copper Manganese Silicon Magnesium Magnesium and silicon Zinc Other element Unused series

Chemical equipment, railroad tank cars Sheet metal work, spun hollow ware, fin stock Heavy duty forgings, plates and extrusions for aircraft fittings, wheels, truck frames Truck wheels, screw machine products, aircraft s t t ~ c t ~ r e ~ Pistons Welding electrode Sheet metal work, hydraulictube, appliances Pipe railing, furniture, architectural extrusions Aircraft and other structures Tensile Yield Strength Srength Elongation in50mm
(Oh)

Alloy Temper 1050 1100 2014 2024

0

mi)
11 13 27 70 27 70 55
21 28

&Si)

Hardness HB (500@/lo mm ball)

23 45 135 47 120 120

AI
99.50 99.00 93.5 93.5 85.0 94.8 97.2 98.9 90.0

Si

cu

Mn

0.8

0.1 2 4.4 4.4 0.9

- -

Mg

zn

0.8 0.6

12.2 5.2 0.4

0.5 1.5 1.o

0.25 - 0.23
5.6

4032
4043

0 0 T6 0 T3 T6
0

0.9Ni

5052

1.6

6063

2.5 0.7 2.5

7075

0 0 T1 T6 0 T6

13 22 35 38 83

36 25 42 73 60 150

Adapted from ASM Metals Handbook, vd. 2,W E d . p].

Adapted from ASM Metals Handbook, VOL 2,9th E d . p2].