Choosing an aluminum alloy in any type of material from bar to plate is an important decision. There are several factors to consider when selecting an aluminum grade and then there are specific issues that come into play with aluminum alloy plate.
To assist in selecting the correct plate for the required job, it will be important to know the following information before making a choice.
Specific Use Environment
All aluminum alloy plate is not ideal for all working environments and applications. In general, all will be somewhat corrosion resistant, but even this will vary based on the selected grade. Some grades of aluminum, including 1100, 5052 and 6061 are considered to have excellent corrosion resistance.
In general, very harsh working conditions such as marine construction, cryogenics or in high-temperature applications will require specific grades to allow for both corrosion resistance as well as strength in those applications. It will also be essential to consider if the plate is to be used in a high-pressure environment as not all are a good match.
Workability and Formability
All aluminum grades are rated as to their workability and formability. This is the ability to work with the aluminum through processes that bend and form the alloy. The rating will range from excellent to poor with high formability also related to high workability and vice versa.
Weldability
It may be critical to weld aluminum alloy plate in many applications. Different alloys are a better choice for various welding processes, but this is also rated on a poor to excellent scale. Most aluminum alloys will have good to excellent weldability other than 2011, 2024 and 7075 grades.
Additionally, with plate, the internal stability and the ability to resist any structural changes during machining will be important. These plates will also be precise in their surface, which limits the need for additional surface finishing.
