Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal. Aluminum is a light metal with a specific gravity of 2.7 gr/cm3 and an electrical conductivity of 60%, making it suitable for use in electrical equipment. Furthermore, because aluminum has good beam reflective properties and heat conductivity, it is used in machine components, heat exchangers, reflective mirrors, chemical industry components, and so on.
Because aluminum is a reactive metal, it is easily oxidized with oxygen, forming a layer of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is corrosion-resistant. When Fe, Cu, and Ni levels are added, the corrosion-resistant properties are reduced due to lower alumina levels. The addition of Mg and Mn has no effect on its corrosion resistance.
Aluminum is ductile, easy to machine, and easy to shape. The tensile strength of pure aluminum is approximately 4-5 kgf/mm2. When strain reinforcement is processed, such as cold rolled tensile strength can reach 15 kgf/mm2.
Pure Aluminum Characteristics
| Characteristic | Pure Aluminum |
| Crystal Structure | Fcc |
| Density at 20°C | 2,698 |
| Liquid Point | 660°C |
| Stretched coefficient | 23,9 |
| Heat Conductivity | 238 w/Mk |
| Electrical Resistance | 2,6 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 70.5 Gpa |
| Modulus of Rigidity | 26.0 Gpa |
Aluminum Classification
| Series | Alloy |
| 1000 | Pure Al |
| 2000 | Al-Cu |
| 3000 | Al-Mn |
| 4000 | Al-Si |
| 5000 | Al-Mg |
| 6000 | Al-Mg-Si |
| 7000 | Al-Zn |
Pure Aluminum and Alloy Properties
Pure Aluminum
The purity of pure aluminum ranges from 99% to 99.9%. This aluminum has corrosion-resistant properties, good heat conduction, and electrical conduction, and the ability to weld and cut well, but it has the disadvantage of being low in strength.
Al – Cu (Aluminum Copper Alloy)
Al – Cu is a type of aluminum alloy that can be heat treated because its mechanical properties can match those of soft steel while having low corrosion resistance compared to other types of aluminum alloys and poor weldability. This type of alloy is commonly used in the manufacture of airplanes and rivets.
Al – Mn (Manganese Alloy Aluminum)
Because Al – Mn alloys cannot be heat treated, they can only be strengthened through cold work during the manufacturing process. This alloy’s properties include good corrosion resistance, weldability, and cutting ability. In terms of strength, this type of alloy is superior to pure aluminum.
Al – Si (Aluminum Alloy Silicon)
Al – Si is a type of alloy that cannot be processed using heat treatment. When this type of alloy is liquid, it has good flowability properties and almost no cracking occurs. Because of this property, Al-Si alloy is widely used as a welding material for forged and cast aluminum alloys.
Al – Mg (Aluminum Alloy Magnesium)
Al – Mg is a type of alloy that cannot be heat treated but has good corrosion resistance properties, primarily due to seawater corrosion, as well as the ability to weld well. Not only are Al-Mg alloys widely used in general construction, but they are also used in liquefied natural gas and liquefied oxygen storage tanks.
Si – Al – Mg (Aluminum Alloy Magnesium & Silicon)
A type of aluminum alloy that can be heat treated is Al – Mg – Si. This alloy has corrosion-resistant properties, is weldable, and has good cutting capabilities. Meanwhile, because of the heat generated during the welding process, this type of alloy softens in the weld area (Heat Affected Zone).
Al – Zn ( Zinc Alloy Aluminum)
Al – Zn is a type of heat-treatable aluminum alloy. This alloy has good tensile strength but poor welded and cut-capable properties. Mg, Cu, and Cr are commonly added to the main alloy Al-Zn. Because this alloy has superior weldability and corrosion resistance properties when compared to the basic alloy type Al-Zn, it has become widely used in weld construction.