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3 Questions You Should Ask When Choosing The Best Aluminium Grade

When it comes to picking the ideal aluminium grade, it is crucial to ensure that you choose the most suitable aluminium grade for your specific use or metal sheet application. However, with over 540 different types of aluminium alloys, selecting the best one for your product or service can be a challenge.

The first thing you need to consider when choosing an aluminium grade is your specific needs for the metal. Depending on the products you intend to produce, you will need to take note of the following factors:

  • The strength of the aluminium grade – If you need your product to be sturdy and durable, you will require a stronger grade of aluminium.
  • Corrosion resistance – If your product is intended for outdoor use or intended to be exposed to the elements or water, it should ideally be resistant to corrosion.
  • The type of surface finish you are looking for

Other important factors to consider include machinability, weldability, and the price or production economics of the aluminium grade.

1. What is the Best Grade of Aluminium?

Alloy 6063 is believed to be the best grade of aluminium today, depending on your application and specific needs. it is a versatile form of heat-treated aluminium that comes with all the desired qualities of the metal.

AA6063 is also the most widely used grade, thanks to its weldability, corrosion resistance, and formability, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It can be fabricated using most of the available techniques.

Type 6063 aluminium is specifically useful in a wide range of industrial applications including structural, architectural, and the motor vehicle industry.

it is popularly used in all the major applications, including welded assemblies, truck and aircraft frames, marine frames because of its corrosion resistance, manufacture of chemical equipment, furniture, heat exchangers, electronic parts, fasteners, heat sinks, and many more. it is the most versatile alloy.

2. Which Aluminium is the Strongest?

The strongest aluminium is alloy 7075. The alloy has zinc as its main alloying element, and is a high strength aluminium alloy with an excellent strength to weight ratio. It is, therefore, no surprise why alloy 7075 is used in the manufacture of highly stressed aircraft components.

Alloy 7075 has excellent mechanical properties as well as good ductility, toughness, and great resistance to fatigue.

Due to its low density, high strength, surface polish, and thermal properties, alloy 7075 is commonly used in the manufacture of a wide range of mould tools and other applications, including aircraft fittings, missile parts, gears and shafts, defence applications, and in the manufacture of motor vehicle parts.

An interesting note, AA7075 is used in many smart phones and smart watches due to it’s excellent mechanical properties.

3. Which Aluminium is the Most Flexible?

The most flexible aluminium is alloy 3003. This type of aluminium alloy works perfectly in applications that require some form of bending.

It comes with average strength and is perfect for high elongation and cold workability. Alloy 3003 also provides the most significant difference between tensile strength and yield.

Due to its flexibility, alloy 3003 is widely used for commercial purposes and is often enhanced with manganese to increase its strength where required. it is, however, 20% stronger than alloy 1100 and is ranked on a medium scale in terms of strength. It can be hardened by cold work.

Alloy 3003 is used in many industries, including the aerospace industry and the building sector, where it is used to make roofs, sidings, acoustic ceilings and other folded aluminium plate products. It is also used to manufacture heating and cooling parts, motor vehicle radiators, and air conditioning evaporators, among others.

it is one of the most popular aluminium profile grades because of its positive response to factors such as bending, hardening, and heat treatment.

Get The Best Aluminium Grades From TC Aluminium

If you are looking for the best aluminium providers in Singapore, TC Aluminium is your perfect choice. As a leading aluminium extrusion Singapore company, we have the necessary knowledge and expertise to help you choose the best aluminium grade based on your needs and budget.

Get in touch with us today to learn more.