Aluminum alloys have various specific properties that combine advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the application, it is advisable to use the right alloy and thus take advantage of the benefits.
Aluminum alloys are mainly composed of the following elements:
The various elements change the properties of aluminum alloys as follows.
Element: | Property: |
Magnesium (Mg) | Greatly increases strength and corrosion resistance. |
Silicon (Si) | Improves flow properties and is therefore used in casting alloys. |
Manganese (Mn) | Causes good formability and inhibits recrystallization. |
Zinc (Zn) | Increases strength and hardness, the deteriorates. |
Copper (Ku) | Increases the strength and toughness, the corrosion corrosion resistance becomes worse. |
In the following table you will find the physical properties of aluminum alloys clearly listed.
Aluminum EN standard |
old standard |
Aluminum Hardness in ( Brinell ) |
Aluminum Tensile strength in ( N/mm² ) |
Aluminum Yield strength in ( N/mm² ) |
Aluminum Thermal conductivity in ( W/cm°C ) |
EN AW-1050A | AL99,5 | 22 - 35 | 75 - 110 | 20 - 60 | 2,1 - 2,2 |
EN AW-2007 | AlCuMgPb | 100 - 140 | 370 - 470 | 250 - 325 | 1,3 - 1,5 |
EN AW-2011 | AlCUBiPb | 110 - 130 | 370 - 410 | 270 - 315 | 1,4 - 1,6 |
EN AW-2017 | AlCuMg1 | 95 - 130 | 385 - 460 | 245 - 340 | 1,3 - 1,7 |
EN AW-5005 | ALMg1 | 29 - 58 | 145 - 185 | 110 - 120 | 1,6 - 2,2 |
EN AW-5083 | AlMg4,5Mn | 70 - 100 | 275 - 315 | 125 - 180 | 1,1 - 1,4 |
EN AW-5754 | AlMg3 | 50 - 80 | 190 - 250 | 80 - 140 | 1,4 - 1,6 |
EN AW-6012 | AlMgSiPb | 80 - 120 | 275 - 390 | 200 - 370 | 1,5 - 1,9 |
EN AW-6060 | AlMgSi0,5 | 70 - 80 | 215 - 260 | 160 - 230 | 2,0 - 2,2 |
EN AW-6061 | Mg1SiCu | 58 - 88 | 180 - 290 | 110 - 240 | 1,7 - 2,0 |
EN AW-6082 | ALMgSi1 | 95 - 105 | 300 - 350 | 240 - 320 | 1,5 - 1,9 |
EN AW-7020 | AlZn4,5Mg1 | 95 - 105 | 330 - 350 | 260 - 280 | 1,3 - 1,6 |
EN AW-7021 | ALZn5,5Mg1,5 | 110 - 120 | 320 - 380 | 290 - 340 | 1,25 - 1,55 |
EN AW-7022 | AlZnMgCu0,5 | 165 - 170 | 410 - 520 | 330 - 460 | 1,25 - 1,55 |
EN AW-7075 | AlZnMgCu1,5 | 130 - 160 | 480 - 540 | 390 - 470 | 1,25 - 1,55 |
* All data without guarantee.
In the following table you will find an overview of the various common aluminum alloys and the aluminum properties, as far as machining is concerned. We have evaluated the topics of aluminum forming, aluminum machining, aluminum welding, aluminum corrosion and aluminum anodizing in a table.
Aluminum EN standard |
old standard |
Aluminum Forming |
Aluminum Metal cutting |
Aluminum Welding |
Aluminum Corrosion |
Aluminum Anodizing |
EN AW-1050A | AL99,5 | very good | not good | very good | very good | good |
EN AW-1350 | E-AL | very good | not good | very good | very good | good |
EN AW-2007 | AlCuMgPb | moderate | very good | moderate | moderate | not good |
EN AW-2011 | AlCUBiPb | moderate | very good | moderate | moderate | not good |
EN AW-2017 | AlCuMg1 | moderate | very good | not good | moderate | not good |
EN AW-2024 | AlCuMg2 | moderate | good | not good | moderate | not good |
EN AW-5005 | ALMg1 | very good | moderate | very good | very good | good |
EN AW-5056A | AlMg5 | moderate | very good | very good | very good | good |
EN AW-5083 | AlMg4,5Mn | moderate | very good | very good | very good | good |
EN AW-5754 | AlMg3 | good | very good | very good | very good | good |
EN AW-6012 | AlMgSiPb | good | very good | good | very good | not good |
EN AW-6060 | AlMgSi0,5 | good | moderate | good | very good | good |
EN AW-6061 | Mg1SiCu | good | moderate | good | very good | not good |
EN AW-6082 | ALMgSi1 | good | very good | moderate | very good | medium |
EN AW-7020 | AlZn4,5Mg1 | difficult | very good | good | moderate | medium |
EN AW-7022 | AlZnMgCu0,5 | difficult | very good | moderate | moderate | medium |
EN AW-7075 | AlZnMgCu1,5 | difficult | very good | good | very good | medium |
* All data without guarantee.