Aluminum, like many different types of alloys, is not one specific product. Rather, there are different grades of aluminum with each one offering specific benefits or characteristics that make it ideal for a particular use or application.
When choosing aluminum alloy plate, or aluminum rod, bar or tubing, knowing what you need the material to do, how you plan to use the plate and what qualities you need will always be essential to choose the right alloy and grade.
The Specifics
There are several specific attributes of aluminum alloy plate that come into play for any type of use. By stopping to consider these features or characteristics you can choose the alloy that is best suited for the application.
There is a nomenclature used with these qualities which may seem to be a bit subjective. It is usually the terms poor, good, fair and excellent. Obviously, the best option for any grade is excellent, but there can be qualifiers with these ratings as well.
The factors that are usually essential to consider include:
* Weldability – just as it sounds, this is how the alloy responds to welding (both resistance and arc)
* Workability – sometimes called formability, this reports how the alloy can be formed through mechanical processes (bending, forming, etc.)
* Machining – often with machining a specific temper or annealed condition is indicated
* Heat treating – this is either a can or cannot type of indicator
* Corrosion resistance – not all aluminum alloy plate is highly corrosion resistant. Most are good to excellent as would be expected.
* Strength – overall aluminum has a good strength to weight ratio, but there are some grades that should not be used in high pressure or when high strength is required.
Talking to the manufacturer or distributor of the aluminum plate can be very helpful in making the best choice for a given application. This helps to take all the guesswork out of the decision.
