ZAMAK (or Zamac, formerly trademarked as MAZAK [1] ) is a family of alloys with a base metal of zinc and alloying elements of aluminium, magnesium, and copper.
Zamak alloys are part of the zinc aluminium alloy family; they are distinguished from the other ZA alloys because of their constant 4% aluminium composition. [2]
The name zamak is an acronym of the German names for the metals of which the alloys are composed: Zink (zinc), Aluminium, Magnesium and Kupfer (copper). [2] The New Jersey Zinc Company developed zamak alloys in 1929.
The most common zamak alloy is zamak 3. Besides that, zamak 2, zamak 5 and zamak 7 are also commercially used. [2] These alloys are most commonly die cast. [2] Zamak alloys (particularly #3 and #5) are frequently used in the spin casting industry.
A large problem with early zinc die casting materials was zinc pest, owing to impurities in the alloys. [3] Zamak avoided this by the use of 99.99% pure zinc metal, produced by New Jersey Zinc's use of a refluxer as part of the refining process.
Zamak can be electroplated, wet painted, and chromate conversion coated well. [4]
In the early 1930s, Morris Ashby in Britain had licensed the New Jersey zamak alloy. The 99.99%-purity refluxer zinc was not available in Britain and so they acquired the right to manufacture the alloy using a locally available electrolytically refined zinc of 99.95% purity. This was given the name Mazak, partly to distinguish it from zamak and partly from the initials of Morris Ashby. In 1933, National Smelting licensed the refluxer patent with the intent of using it to produce 99.99% zinc in their plant at Avonmouth. [5] It is colloquially known among UK car restoration hobbyists as monkey metal.
Zinc alloy chemical composition standards are defined per country by the standard listed below:
Country | Zinc ingot | Zinc casting |
---|---|---|
Europe | EN1774 | EN12844 |
US | ASTM B240 | ASTM B86 |
Japan | JIS H2201 | JIS H5301 |
Australia | AS 1881 - SAA H63 | AS 1881 - SAA H64 |
China | GB 8738-88 | - |
Canada | CSA HZ3 | CSA HZ11 |
International | ISO 301 | - |
Zamak goes by many different names based on standard and/or country:
Traditional name | Short composition name | Form | Common | ASTM† | Short European designation | JIS | China | UK BS 1004 [7] | France NFA 55-010 [7] | Germany DIN 1743-2 [7] | UNS | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zamak 2 [8] [9] or Kirksite [10] | ZnAl4Cu3 [11] | Ingot | Alloy 2 [8] [9] | AC 43A [8] [9] | ZL0430 [11] | - | ZX04 [12] | - | Z-A4U3 [11] | Z430 [11] | Z35540 [9] | ZL2, ZA-2, ZN-002 [13] |
Cast | ZP0430 | - | Z35541 [8] | ZP2, ZA-2, ZN-002 [13] | ||||||||
Zamak 3 [8] [9] | ZnAl4 [11] | Ingot | Alloy 3 [8] [9] | AG 40A [8] [9] | ZL0400 [11] | Ingot type 2 [14] | ZX01 [12] | Alloy A [11] | Z-A4 [11] | Z400 [11] | Z35521 [9] | ZL3, ZA-3, ZN-003 [13] |
Cast | ZP0400 | ZDC2 [15] | - | Z33520 [8] | ZP3, ZA-3, ZN-003 [13] | |||||||
Zamak 4 [16] | Ingot | Used in Asia only | ZA-4, ZN-004 [13] | |||||||||
Zamak 5 [8] [9] | ZnAl4Cu1 [11] | Ingot | Alloy 5 [8] [9] | AC 41A [8] [9] | ZL0410 [11] | Ingot type 1 [14] | ZX03 [12] | Alloy B [11] | Z-A4UI [11] | Z410 [11] | Z35530 [9] | ZL5, ZA-5, ZN-005 [13] |
Cast | ZP0410 | ZDC1 [15] | - | Z35531 [8] | ZP5, ZA-5, ZN-005 [13] | |||||||
Zamak 7 [8] [9] | ZnAl4Ni [12] | Ingot | Alloy 7 [8] [9] | AG 40B [8] [9] | - | - | ZX02 [12] | - | - | - | Z33522 [9] | ZA-7, ZN-007 [13] |
Cast | - | Z33523 [8] | ||||||||||
†color of the cell is the color of the material designated by ASTM B908. [2] |
The Short European Designation code breaks down as follows (using ZL0430 as the example): [11]
Zamak 2 has the same composition as zamak 3 with the addition of 3% copper in order to increase strength by 20%, which also increases the price. Zamak 2 has the greatest strength out of all the zamak alloys. Over time it retains its strength and hardness better than the other alloys; however, it becomes more brittle, shrinks, and is less elastic. [17]
Zamak 2 is also known as Kirksite when gravity cast for use as a die. [2] [18] It was originally designed for low volume sheet metal dies. [19] [20] It later gained popularity for making short run injection molding dies. [19] It is also less commonly used for non-sparking tools and mandrels for metal spinning.
Alloying elements | Impurities | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | Limit | Al | Cu | Mg | Pb | Cd | Sn | Fe | Ni | Si | In | Tl |
ASTM B240 [21] (Ingot) | min | 3.9 | 2.6 | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 2.9 | 0.05 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.075 | - | - | - | - | |
ASTM B86 [22] (Cast) | min | 3.5 | 2.6 | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 2.9 | 0.05 | 0.005 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.1 | - | - | - | - | |
EN1774 [23] (Ingot) | min | 3.8 | 2.7 | 0.035 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.2 | 3.3 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 | 0.02 | 0.001 | 0.02 | - | - | |
EN12844 [24] (Cast) | min | 3.7 | 2.7 | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 3.3 | 0.06 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.002 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.03 | - | - | |
GB8738-88 [12] | min | 3.9 | 2.6 | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 3.1 | 0.06 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.0015 | 0.035 | - | - | - | - |
Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
---|---|---|
Mechanical properties | ||
Ultimate tensile strength | 397 MPa (331 MPa aged) | 58,000 psi |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 361 MPa | 52,000 psi |
Impact strength | 38 J (7 J aged) | 28 ft-lbf (5 ft-lbf aged) |
Elongation at Fmax | 3% (2% aged) | |
Elongation at fracture | 6% | |
Shear strength | 317 MPa | 46,000 psi |
Compressive yield strength | 641 MPa | 93,000 psi |
Fatigue strength (reverse bending 5x108 cycles) | 59 MPa | 8,600 psi |
Hardness | 130 Brinell (98 Brinell aged) | |
Modulus of elasticity | 96 GPa | 14,000,000 psi |
Physical properties | ||
Solidification range (melting range) | 379–390 °C | 714–734 °F |
Density | 6.8 kg/dm3 | 0.25 lb/in3 |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 27.8 μm/m-°C | 15.4 μin/in-°F |
Thermal conductivity | 105 W/m-K | 729 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F |
Electrical resistivity | 6.85 μΩ-cm at 20 °C | 2.70 μΩ-in at 68 °F |
Latent heat (heat of fusion) | 110 J/g | 4.7x10−5 BTU/lb |
Specific heat capacity | 419 J/kg-°C | 0.100 BTU/lb-°F |
Coefficient of friction | 0.08 |
The KS alloy was developed for spin casting decorative parts. It has the same composition as zamak 2, except with more magnesium in order to produce finer grains and reduce the orange peel effect. [25]
Alloying elements | Impurities | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | Limit | Al | Cu | Mg | Pb | Cd | Sn | Fe | Ni | Si | In | Tl |
Nyrstar | min | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.2 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 | 0.020 | - | - | - | - | |
Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
---|---|---|
Mechanical properties | ||
Ultimate tensile strength | < 200 MPa | < 29,000 psi |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) | < 200 MPa | < 29,000 psi |
Elongation | < 2% | |
Hardness | 150 Brinell max | |
Physical properties | ||
Solidification range (melting range) | 380—390 °C | 716—734 °F |
Density | 6.6 g/cm3 | 0.25 lb/in3 |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 28.0 μm/m-°C | 15.4 μin/in-°F |
Thermal conductivity | 105 W/m-K | 729 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F |
Electrical conductivity | 25% IACS | |
Specific heat capacity | 419 J/kg-°C | 0.100 BTU/lb-°F |
Coefficient of friction | 0.08 |
Zamak 3 is the de facto standard for the zamak series of zinc alloys; all other zinc alloys are compared to this. Zamak 3 has the base composition for the zamak alloys (96% zinc, 4% aluminum). It has excellent castability and long term dimensional stability. More than 70% of all North American zinc die castings are made from zamak 3. [2]
Alloying elements | Impurities | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | Limit | Al | Cu† | Mg | Pb | Cd | Sn | Fe | Ni | Si | In | Tl |
ASTM B240 [21] (Ingot) | min | 3.9 | - | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.1 | 0.05 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.035 | - | - | - | - | |
ASTM B86 [22] (Cast) | min | 3.5 | - | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.25 | 0.05 | 0.005 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.1 | - | - | - | - | |
EN1774 [23] (Ingot) | min | 3.8 | - | 0.035 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.2 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 | 0.02 | 0.001 | 0.02 | - | - | |
EN12844 [24] (Cast) | min | 3.7 | - | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.1 | 0.06 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.002 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.03 | - | - | |
JIS H2201 [14] (Ingot) | min | 3.9 | - | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.075 | - | - | - | - | |
JIS H5301 [15] (Cast) | min | 3.5 | - | 0.02 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.25 | 0.06 | 0.005 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.01 | - | - | - | - | |
AS1881 [26] | min | 3.9 | - | 0.04 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 | 0.05 | - | 0.001 | 0.0005 | 0.001 | |
GB8738-88 [12] | min | 3.9 | - | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.1 | 0.06 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.0015 | 0.035 | - | - | - | - | |
†Impurity |
Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
---|---|---|
Mechanical properties | ||
Ultimate tensile strength | 268 MPa | 38,900 psi |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 208 MPa | 30,200 psi |
Impact strength | 46 J (56 J aged) | 34 ft-lbf (41 ft-lbf aged) |
Elongation at Fmax | 3% | |
Elongation at fracture | 6.3% (16% aged) | |
Shear strength | 214 MPa | 31,000 psi |
Compressive yield strength | 414 MPa | 60,000 psi |
Fatigue strength (reverse bending 5x108 cycles) | 48 MPa | 7,000 psi |
Hardness | 97 Brinell | |
Modulus of elasticity | 96 GPa | 14,000,000 psi |
Physical properties | ||
Solidification range (melting range) | 381—387 °C | 718—729 °F |
Density | 6.7 g/cm3 | 0.24 lb/in3 |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 27.4 μm/m-°C | 15.2 μin/in-°F |
Thermal conductivity | 113 W/mK | 784 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F |
Electrical resistivity | 6.37 μΩ-cm at 20 °C | 2.51 μΩ-in at 68 °F |
Latent heat (heat of fusion) | 110 J/g | 4.7x10−5 BTU/lb |
Specific heat capacity | 419 J/kg-°C | 0.100 BTU/lb-°F |
Coefficient of friction | 0.07 |
Zamak 4 was developed for the Asian markets to reduce the effects of die soldering while maintaining the ductility of zamak 3. This was achieved by using half the amount of copper from the zamak 5 composition. [27]
Alloying elements | Impurities | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | Limit | Al | Cu | Mg | Pb | Cd | Sn | Fe | Ni | Si | In | Tl |
Ningbo Jinyi Alloy Material Co. [13] | min | 3.9 | 0.3 | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.002 | 0.075 | - | - | - | - |
Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
---|---|---|
Mechanical properties [28] | ||
Ultimate tensile strength | 317 MPa | 46,000 psi |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 221—269 MPa | 32,000—39,000 psi |
Impact strength | 61 J (7 J aged) | 45 ft-lbf (5 ft-lbf aged) |
Elongation | 7% | |
Shear strength | 214—262 MPa | 31,000—38,000 psi |
Compressive yield strength | 414—600 MPa | 60,000—87,000 psi |
Fatigue strength (rotary bending 5x108 cycles) | 48—57 MPa | 7,000—8,300 psi |
Hardness | 91 Brinell | |
Physical properties [29] | ||
Solidification range (melting range) | 380—386 °C | 716—727 °F |
Density | 6.6 g/cm3 | 0.24 lb/in3 |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 27.4 μm/m-°C | 15.2 μin/in-°F |
Thermal conductivity | 108.9—113.0 W/m-K @ 100 °C | 755.6—784.0 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F @ 212 °F |
Electrical conductivity | 26-27% IACS | |
Specific heat capacity | 418.7 J/kg-°C | 0.100 BTU/lb-°F |
Zamak 5 has the same composition as zamak 3 with the addition of 1% copper in order to increase strength (by approximately 10% [17] ), hardness and corrosive resistance, but reduces ductility. [30] It also has less dimensional accuracy. [30] Zamak 5 is more commonly used in Europe. [2]
Alloying elements | Impurities | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | Limit | Al | Cu | Mg | Pb | Cd | Sn | Fe | Ni | Si | In | Tl | Zn |
ASTM B240 [21] (Ingot) | min | 3.9 | 0.75 | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.25 | 0.06 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.075 | - | - | - | - | ||
ASTM B86 [22] (Cast) | min | 3.5 | 0.75 | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.25 | 0.06 | 0.005 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.1 | - | - | - | - | ||
EN1774 [23] (Ingot) | min | 3.8 | 0.7 | 0.035 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.2 | 1.1 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 | 0.02 | 0.001 | 0.02 | - | - | ||
EN12844 [24] (Cast) | min | 3.7 | 0.7 | 0.025 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0.06 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.002 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.03 | - | - | ||
JIS H2201 [14] (Ingot) | min | 3.9 | 0.75 | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.25 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.075 | - | - | - | - | ||
JIS H5301 [15] (Cast) | min | 3.5 | 0.75 | 0.02 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.25 | 0.06 | 0.005 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.01 | - | - | - | - | ||
AS1881 [26] | min | 3.9 | 0.75 | 0.04 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.25 | 0.06 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.001 | 0.05 | - | 0.001 | 0.0005 | 0.001 | ||
GB8738-88 [12] | min | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.03 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
max | 4.3 | 1.1 | 0.06 | 0.004 | 0.003 | 0.0015 | 0.035 | - | - | - | - |
Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
---|---|---|
Mechanical properties | ||
Ultimate tensile strength | 331 MPa (270 MPa aged) | 48,000 psi (39,000 psi aged) |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 295 MPa | 43,000 psi |
Impact strength | 52 J (56 J aged) | 38 ft-lbf (41 ft-lbf aged) |
Elongation at Fmax | 2% | |
Elongation at fracture | 3.6% (13% aged) | |
Shear strength | 262 MPa | 38,000 psi |
Compressive yield strength | 600 MPa | 87,000 psi |
Fatigue strength (reverse bending 5x108 cycles) | 57 MPa | 8,300 psi |
Hardness | 91 Brinell | |
Modulus of elasticity | 96 GPa | 14,000,000 psi |
Physical properties | ||
Solidification range (melting range) | 380—386 °C | 716—727 °F |
Density | 6.7 kg/dm3 | 0.24 lb/in3 |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 27.4 μm/m-°C | 15.2 μin/in-°F |
Thermal conductivity | 109 W/mK | 756 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F |
Electrical resistivity | 6.54 μΩ-cm at 20 °C | 2.57 μΩ-in at 68 °F |
Latent heat (heat of fusion) | 110 J/g | 4.7x10−5 BTU/lb |
Specific heat capacity | 419 J/kg-°C | 0.100 BTU/lb-°F |
Coefficient of friction | 0.08 |
Zamak 7 has less magnesium than zamak 3 to increase fluidity and ductility, which is especially useful when casting thin wall components. In order to reduce inter-granular corrosion a small amount of nickel is added and impurities are more strictly controlled. [2]
Alloying elements | Impurities | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | Limit | Al | Cu† | Mg | Pb | Cd | Sn | Fe | Ni‡ | Si | In | Tl |
ASTM B240 [21] (Ingot) | min | 3.9 | - | 0.01 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.002 | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.075 | - | - | - | - | |
ASTM B86 [22] (Cast) | min | 3.5 | - | 0.005 | - | - | - | - | 0.005 | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.25 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.075 | 0.02 | - | - | - | |
GB8738-88 [12] | min | 3.9 | - | 0.01 | - | - | - | - | 0.005 | - | - | - |
max | 4.3 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.002 | 0.002 | 0.001 | 0.075 | 0.02 | - | - | - | |
†Impurity ‡Alloying element |
Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
---|---|---|
Mechanical properties | ||
Ultimate tensile strength | 285 MPa | 41,300 psi |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 285 MPa | 41,300 psi |
Impact strength | 58.0 J | 42.8 ft-lbf |
Elongation at fracture | 14% | |
Shear strength | 214 MPa | 31,000 psi |
Compressive yield strength | 414 MPa | 60,000 psi |
Fatigue strength (reverse bending 5x108 cycles) | 47.0 MPa | 6,820 psi |
Hardness | 80 Brinell | |
Physical properties | ||
Solidification range (melting range) | 381—387 °C | 718—729 °F |
Coefficient of thermal expansion | 27.4 μm/m-°C | 15.2 μin/in-°F |
Thermal conductivity | 113 W/m-K | 784 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F |
Electrical resistivity | 6.4 μΩ-cm | 2.5 μΩ-in |
Specific heat capacity | 419 J/kg-°C | 0.100 BTU/lb-°F |
Casting temperature | 395—425 °C | 743—797 °F |
Common uses for zamak alloys include appliances, bathroom fixtures, die cast toys and automotive industry. [32] [33] [34] Zamak alloys are also used in the manufacture of some firearms such as those from Hi-Point Firearms. [35] [36] In World War 2, zamak alloy buttplates were one of three variations common on Canadian and American-made .303 Lee Enfield rifles, particularly during mid-war production. [37]
Die casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process. Most die castings are made from non-ferrous metals, specifically zinc, copper, aluminium, magnesium, lead, pewter, and tin-based alloys. Depending on the type of metal being cast, a hot- or cold-chamber machine is used.
Magnesium alloys are mixtures of magnesium with other metals, often aluminium, zinc, manganese, silicon, copper, rare earths and zirconium. Magnesium alloys have a hexagonal lattice structure, which affects the fundamental properties of these alloys. Plastic deformation of the hexagonal lattice is more complicated than in cubic latticed metals like aluminium, copper and steel; therefore, magnesium alloys are typically used as cast alloys, but research of wrought alloys has been more extensive since 2003. Cast magnesium alloys are used for many components of modern cars and have been used in some high-performance vehicles; die-cast magnesium is also used for camera bodies and components in lenses.
An aluminium alloy (UK/IUPAC) or aluminum alloy is an alloy in which aluminium (Al) is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin, nickel and zinc. There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, both of which are further subdivided into the categories heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable. About 85% of aluminium is used for wrought products, for example rolled plate, foils and extrusions. Cast aluminium alloys yield cost-effective products due to the low melting point, although they generally have lower tensile strengths than wrought alloys. The most important cast aluminium alloy system is Al–Si, where the high levels of silicon (4–13%) contribute to give good casting characteristics. Aluminium alloys are widely used in engineering structures and components where light weight or corrosion resistance is required.
Zinc-aluminium (ZA) alloys are alloys whose main constituents are zinc and aluminium. Other alloying elements include magnesium and copper. This type of alloy was originally developed for gravity casting. Noranda, New Jersey Zinc Co. Ltd., St. Joe Mineral Co. and the International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO) were the main companies that pioneered the ZA alloys between the 1950s and the 1970s. They were designed to compete with bronze, cast iron and aluminium using sand and permanent mold casting methods. Distinguishing features of ZA alloys include high as-cast strength, excellent bearing properties, as well as low energy requirements.
2014 aluminium alloy (aluminum) is an aluminium-based alloy often used in the aerospace industry.
1050 aluminium alloy is an aluminium-based alloy in the "commercially pure" wrought family. As a wrought alloy, it is not used in castings. Instead, it is usually formed by extrusion or rolling. It is commonly used in the electrical and chemical industries, on account of having high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and workability. 1050 alloy is also sometimes used for the manufacture of heat sinks, since it has a higher thermal conductivity than other alloys. It has low mechanical strength compared to more significantly alloyed metals. It can be strengthened by cold working, but not by heat treatment.
1060 aluminium alloy is an aluminium-based alloy in the "commercially pure" wrought family. It is fundamentally very similar to 1050 aluminium alloy, with the difference coming down to 0.1% aluminium by weight. However, while both 1050 and 1060 are covered by the same ISO standard, they are covered by different ASTM standards.
2219 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-copper family. It can be heat-treated to produce tempers with higher strength but lower ductility. The aluminium-copper alloys have high strength, but are generally less corrosion resistant and harder to weld than other types of aluminium alloys. To compensate for the lower corrosion resistance, 2219 aluminium can be clad in a commercially pure alloy such as 1050 or painted. This alloy is commonly formed by both extrusion and forging, but is not used in casting.
3003 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-manganese family. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. Like most other aluminium-manganese alloys, 3003 is a general-purpose alloy with moderate strength, good workability, and good corrosion resistance. It is commonly rolled and extruded, but typically not forged. As a wrought alloy, it is not used in casting. It is also commonly used in sheet metal applications such as gutters, downspouts, roofing, and siding.
3102 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-manganese family. It is one of the most lightly alloyed grades in the 3000 series, with at least 97.85% aluminium by weight. Like most other aluminium-manganese alloys, 3102 is a general-purpose alloy with moderate strength, good workability, and good corrosion resistance. Being lightly alloyed, it tends on the lower strength and higher corrosion resistance side. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. It can be formed by rolling, extrusion, and forging. As a wrought alloy, it is not used in casting.
5154 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium family. As an aluminium-magnesium alloy, it combines moderate-to-high strength with excellent weldability. 5154 aluminium is commonly used in welded structures such as pressure vessels and ships. As a wrought alloy, it can be formed by rolling, extrusion, and forging, but not casting. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. It is generally not clad.
5454 aluminium–magnesium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium family. It is closely related to 5154 aluminium alloy. As an aluminium-magnesium alloy, it combines moderate-to-high strength with excellent weldability. Like 5154, 5454 aluminium is commonly used in welded structures such as pressure vessels and ships. As a wrought alloy, it can be formed by rolling, extrusion, and forging, but not casting. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. It is generally not clad.
5456 aluminium–magnesium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium family. While it is closely related to 5356 aluminium alloy, it is used in structural applications, like most other aluminium-magnesium alloys, and not as filler for welding. As a wrought alloy, it can be formed by rolling, extrusion, and forging, but not casting. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. It is susceptible to exfoliation corrosion when held at temperatures above 65 °C (150 °F) for extended periods of time.
6005 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium-silicon family. It is closely related, but not identical, to 6005A aluminium alloy. The main difference between the two alloys is that 6005 has a higher minimum composition percentage of aluminium than 6005A. The most common forming method is extrusion. It can also be forged or rolled, but as a wrought alloy it is not used in casting. It is commonly heat treated to produce tempers with a higher strength at the expense of ductility.
6005A aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium-silicon family. It is closely related, but not identical, to 6005 aluminium alloy. Between those two alloys, 6005A is more heavily alloyed, but the difference does not make a marked impact on material properties. It can be formed by extrusion, forging or rolling, but as a wrought alloy it is not used in casting. It cannot be work hardened, but is commonly heat treated to produce tempers with a higher strength at the expense of ductility.
6060 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium-silicon family. It is much more closely related to the alloy 6063 than to 6061. The main difference between 6060 and 6063 is that 6063 has a slightly higher magnesium content. It can be formed by extrusion, forging or rolling, but as a wrought alloy it is not used in casting. It cannot be work hardened, but is commonly heat treated to produce tempers with a higher strength but lower ductility.
6105 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium-silicon family. It is one of the least common of the alloys in this series. While most wrought aluminium alloys are covered by multiple standards, 6105 is only dealt with in ASTM B221: Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes. It is formed by extrusion, and supplied in heat treated form. It can alternately referred to by the UNS designation A96105.
6262 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium-silicon family. It is related to 6162 aluminium alloy, but sees much more widespread use. It is notably distinct from 6162, and most other aluminium alloys, in that it contains lead in its alloy composition. It is typically formed by extrusion, forging, or rolling, but as a wrought alloy it is not used in casting. It can also be clad, but that is not common practice with this alloy. It cannot be work hardened, but is commonly heat treated to produce tempers with a higher strength but lower ductility.
The 6463 aluminium alloy is an aluminium alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium-silicon family. It is related to 6063 aluminium alloy, but unlike 6063 it is generally not formed using any processes other than extrusion. It is commonly heat treated to produce tempers with a higher strength but lower ductility. Like 6063, it is often used in architectural applications.