Aluminum is a common metal that fabricators use to produce components. This metal alloy is a popular choice for many industrial and commercial applications. In Minneapolis, suppliers keep on hand a variety of aluminum sheet alloys to satisfy the demands of their customers. Below, you will discover a small list of the different grades of aluminum. Each possesses specific qualities that make it more suited than another grade does for a specific project.
Aluminum Grades
Aluminum sheets are readily available in a number of grades. Some are more commonly available than others are. Some types of aluminum alloy contain higher levels of aluminum than other grades do. Among the most requested types of aluminum alloy are:
* Alloy 1100: A commercially pure aluminum, this grade has excellent corrosion resistance and is ductile and soft. While not heat-treatable, it is suitable for welding.
* Alloy 2011: Labeled the free machining alloy (FMA), this aluminum possesses high mechanical strength and excellent machining competencies. For the machining of complex and detailed components, many fabricators rely on this grade of aluminum sheet.
* Alloy 2014: This is a copper-based aluminum alloy. Its qualities include very high strength and excellent machining properties.
* Alloy 2024: A high strength aluminum alloy, with excellent fatigue resistance, it is very commonly employed in cases where the specifications call for a good strength-to-weight ratio.
* Alloy 3003: This commercially pure aluminum has a touch of manganese to increase its strength and durability. This is the most commonly used aluminum alloy on the market. Metalworkers admire it for its excellent corrosion resistance and workability.
* Alloy 5052: Possessing the highest fatigue strength in its metal class, it also boasts solid marine and salt-water corrosion resistance.
Aluminum Sheet
If you are searching in Minneapolis for aluminum sheet metal, find a supplier that understands the options. He or she will be able to advise you on your options for the right aluminum sheet for your application.
