Welding Operations on Aluminum Sheet.

Aluminum is the cheapest metal, is also very versatile in giving a very good collection of metallic properties for usage in our daily lives. This blog will help you to understand the different grades available in Aluminum metal, the Composition of aluminum, the Uses of Aluminum in our day-to-day life and industrial applications, the Properties and characteristics of Aluminum metal.


    Brief Introduction about Aluminum.

    Aluminum is a  lightweight metal with a  silvery-white color is a soft, silvery, highly reactive metal. It is soft and malleable. Aluminum is used in a huge variety of products including cans, foils, kitchen utensils, window frames, beer kegs and aero plane parts..


    Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element available in Earth's crust and the most widely used nonferrous metal. Because of aluminum chemical properties, it is not available in metallic form in nature. 

    Aluminum does not occur in an elemental state; rather it is always combined in a chemical compound. The aluminum was identified by  Sir Humphry  Davy in Britain in1808. Aluminum alloy is the second most common element used in the industry after iron.

    What is the composition of aluminum?

    The chemical compositions of pure aluminum is about 99.5%–99.9% of Aluminum and also it consists 0.12–0.5% of Copper. It has a mechanical strength of about 7–11 MPa and young's modulus of 70 MPa. The strength to weight of copper is high.



    Different Grades of Aluminum.

    Aluminum 1100 .

    Aluminum alloy 1100 contains at least 99.00% aluminum  it is one of the popular aluminum alloys and also referred to as commercially pure aluminum.     This alloy can be easily shaped into a variety of products. It also possesses excellent electrical conductivity and is highly resistant to corrosion. is majorly used in plumbing and lighting industries. This alloy is not preferred in a process where high strength and pressure are required because it is one of the softest aluminum alloys.

    Common Applications.

    • Used in Chemical equipment
    • Commonly used in the food processing industry.
    • In the manufacturing of  railroad tanks, cars, fin stocks, dials, name plates, cooking utensils, rivets, reflectors and sheet metal. 


    Aluminum 2011.

     Aluminum 2011 has excellent mechanical strength and great machining capabilities are the highlights of this grade. sometimes it referred as– Free Machining Alloy (FMA). 

    This alloy is best for projects done on automatic lathes. The corrosion resistance of this alloy is comparatively low. 

    The high-speed machining of this grade will produce fine chips that can be removed easily .  in the manufacturing of complex and detailed parts alloy 2011 is preferred.

    Common Applications.

    • It is majorly used in the manufacturing of Screw Machine Parts.
    • Precision Gears.
    • Precision Machine Parts.
    • Clocks.
    • Cameras.
    • Speedometers.
    • Weaponry & munitions
    •  Fasteners / Fittings.

    Aluminum 2024.

    The 2024 aluminum alloy consists mainly of aluminum, copper and magnesium. It also consists of other metals, like iron, silicon, manganese and zinc, in minute quantity. It offers less resistance to corrosion.

    It has a high strength to weight ratio because of this property this aluminum 2024 is majorly used in aero space industries.

    Common Applications.

    • Truck Wheels.
    •   Rivets.
    •  Aircraft.
    •  Product Machines.
    •   Tip truck bodies.
    •  Orthopedic.

    Aluminum 6061.

    It is one of the most commonly used alloy types. The most versatile of the heat-treatable aluminum alloys, it exhibits high resistance to corrosion, stress and for cracking.

    It is commonly used in the manufacturing of aluminum sheets, aluminum plates, and aluminum bars.

    Common Applications.

    • Truck and marine components.
    • Furniture.
    • general structural and high-pressure applications.
    • Pipelines.
    • Heavy-duty structures.
    • Railroad cars.
    • Tank fittings.


    Aluminum 6063.

    Aluminum alloy 6063 has medium strength, sometimes referred to as an architectural alloy. This alloy has a property good surface finish, high corrosion resistance, easy for welding process. It offers excellent resistance to corrosion. Aluminum 6063 alloys are majorly used in interior and exterior architectural applications. 


    The Properties and Benifits of Aluminum.

    Aluminum is a light weight metal, about a third of the density of steel, copper, and brass.   

    Some aluminum alloys have higher  strength than the common construction steel.  

    Aluminum retains its toughness at very low temperatures, without getting a brittle like carbon steel.  

    Aluminum has a property of a higher degree of resistance to  corrosion resistance in  common atmospheric and marine atmospheres.  

    Aluminum has a property of a higher degree of reflectivity and is well suited for decorative applications.  

    Aluminum possesses the  property of  good conductivity of heat and electricity.   

      Aluminum is non-toxic and is commonly used in contact with food stuffs.  

    Aluminum can be recycled easily compared to other metals.  

    It is a non-magnetic and non sparking substance.  

    It possesses great toughness and high tensile strength.  

    It is also insoluble in water and alcohol.


    Uses of Aluminum in Industries.

    Aluminum is used in the manufacture of products like: cans , kitchen utensils ,window frames and airplane parts. 

    It is also used in the manufacturing of  Coins. 

    Aluminum is a good electrical conductor and is often used in  electrical transmission lines. 

    Aluminum coatings have many uses, including telescope mirrors, decorative paper, packages, and toys. Etc.

    also used in the manufacturing of aluminum foils.

     Use of Aluminum in Houses  Exterior: window frames, Aluminum doors, sliding doors.

     Interior Usage:  In the making of Door Handles, Locker, Furniture, Book shelf, etc.