Features of the Aluminum Series

Series 1: With an aluminum content exceeding 99.00%, it exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and weldability, but has relatively low strength and cannot be strengthened by heat treatment. Applications: High-purity aluminum (with an aluminum content greater than 99.9%) is primarily used in scientific research, the chemical industry, and specialized applications.

Series 2: Aluminum alloys with copper as the primary alloying element. To enhance machinability, elements such as manganese, magnesium, lead, and bismuth are also added. For example, Alloy 2011 requires careful safety precautions during melting due to the generation of harmful gases. Alloy 2014 is widely used in the aerospace industry and offers high strength. Alloy 2017 exhibits slightly lower strength than Alloy 2014 but is easier to machine. Alloy 2014 can be further strengthened through heat treatment; however, it suffers from a pronounced tendency toward intergranular corrosion. Typical applications include the aerospace sector (Alloy 2014), fasteners (Alloy 2011), and industries operating under high-temperature conditions (Alloy 2017).

3-series: Aluminum alloys with manganese as the primary alloying element; they cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and superior weldability, and possess good ductility (approaching that of superhard aluminum alloys). Their main drawback is relatively low strength, though this can be improved through work hardening; moreover, they tend to form coarse grains during annealing. Applications include seamless tubing for fuel lines in aircraft (3003 alloy) and can‑making materials (3004 alloy).

4-series: Primarily composed of silicon, with limited applications. Some 4-series alloys can be strengthened through heat treatment, while others cannot undergo heat treatment. Hr

5 Series: Primarily composed of magnesium. It exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, superior weldability, and high fatigue strength; however, it cannot be strengthened through heat treatment and its strength can only be enhanced by cold working. Applications include lawnmower handles, aircraft fuel‑tank conduits, and bulletproof vests.

6 Series: Primarily composed of magnesium and silicon. Mg2Si is the principal strengthening phase and forms the basis of the most widely used alloys in this series. Among them, 6063 and 6061 are the most extensively applied, with others including 6082, 6160, 6125, 6262, 6060, 6005, and 6463. Within the 6 series, 6063, 6060, and 6463 exhibit relatively lower strength, whereas 6262, 6005, 6082, and 6061 offer higher strength. Characteristics: Moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance, outstanding weldability, superior formability (easy to extrude), and excellent anodizing and coloring performance. Applications: Various structural components, such as automotive roof racks, doors and windows, vehicle bodies, radiators, and fuselage skins.

7 Series: Primarily composed of zinc, with small amounts of magnesium and copper sometimes added. Among these, ultra‑hard aluminum alloys contain zinc, lead, magnesium, and copper, achieving a hardness comparable to steel. This series exhibits slower extrusion speeds than 6 Series alloys and offers excellent weldability. 7005 and 7075 are the highest‑grade alloys in the 7 Series and can be strengthened through heat treatment. Applications include aerospace (load‑bearing aircraft components, landing gear), rockets, propellers, and more.

Eight series: Aluminum alloys are used more extensively; 8011 belongs to the other series, primarily serving as aluminum foil, while its use in producing aluminum rods is relatively rare.

Series 9: Aluminum alloy is a secondary alloy.