Description
1100-H14 (QQ-A-250/1d) Commercially pure aluminum, highly resistant to chemical attack and weathering. Excellent for chemical processing equipment and other uses where product purity is important. Easily worked and welded, ductile enough for deep draws, but the lowest strength aluminum alloy. Uses include light reflectors, decorative and jewelry parts, name plates. Seldom used in precision sheet metal -- see 5052-H32.
3003-H14 (QQ-A-250/2c) General purpose manganese alloy. Stronger than 1100 with same good formability and low cost. Fine corrosion resistance and weldability. Used in stampings, spun and drawn parts, mail boxes, cabinets, tanks, fan blades. For higher strength, consider 5052-H32.
5052-H32 (QQ-A-250/8d) Main alloy is magnesium. Far stronger than any of the alloys described above, yet forms well with reasonable inside bend radii. Corrosion resistance and weldability is very good. Better salt water corrosion resistance than 1100. Used for electronic chassis, tanks, pressure vessels and any number of parts requiring considerable strength and formability at reasonable cost. Anodizing may be slightly yellowish.
6061-T6 (QQ-A-250/11d) Alloyed with magnesium & silicon. Heat treatable to improve strength. A widely used structural alloy for light to medium strength applications. Requires much larger inside bend radii than 5052-H32, but can be formed. Combines good weldability, corrosion resistance, and strength after heat treatment. Since it looses appreciable strength when welded, the 5000 series alloys replace it in dump body and some marine applications.
Quick comparison chart
3003-H14 (QQ-A-250/2c) General purpose manganese alloy. Stronger than 1100 with same good formability and low cost. Fine corrosion resistance and weldability. Used in stampings, spun and drawn parts, mail boxes, cabinets, tanks, fan blades. For higher strength, consider 5052-H32.
5052-H32 (QQ-A-250/8d) Main alloy is magnesium. Far stronger than any of the alloys described above, yet forms well with reasonable inside bend radii. Corrosion resistance and weldability is very good. Better salt water corrosion resistance than 1100. Used for electronic chassis, tanks, pressure vessels and any number of parts requiring considerable strength and formability at reasonable cost. Anodizing may be slightly yellowish.
6061-T6 (QQ-A-250/11d) Alloyed with magnesium & silicon. Heat treatable to improve strength. A widely used structural alloy for light to medium strength applications. Requires much larger inside bend radii than 5052-H32, but can be formed. Combines good weldability, corrosion resistance, and strength after heat treatment. Since it looses appreciable strength when welded, the 5000 series alloys replace it in dump body and some marine applications.
Quick comparison chart
| Alloy | Yield | Formable | Weldable | Corrosion | Color code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100-H14 | 17000 | A | A | A+ | WHITE |
| 3003-H14 | 21000 | B | A | A | GREEN |
| 5052-H32 | 28000 | B | A | A | PURPLE |
| 6061-T6 | 40000 | C | A | B+ | BLU |
Minimum bend radius
When aluminum is bent around too small of an inside radius, cracking will occur. Cracking is most pronounced when the bend runs parallel to the natural grain of the material (formed as the sheet is rolled from molten ingot). It is generally a good idea to keep the inside radius at least equal to the material thickness. The more the merrier!.
Min bend radii for thickness (in 1/32nds of inch):
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Aluminium Sheets
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