What Is Aluminum Plate?
An Aluminum Plate is a steel sheet mainly composed of aluminum and iron.
It is lightweight, yet strong and corrosion resistant. For this reason, it is widely used in fields such as automobiles, aircraft, and construction materials. It combines the light weight of aluminum with the strength of steel, and is attracting attention as a material suitable for a variety of applications.
However, it is more expensive than ordinary steel sheets and requires careful processing. In addition, the aluminum dust generated during cutting of Aluminum Plate is harmful to the human body and requires appropriate protective measures.
Uses of Aluminum Plate
Aluminum Plate is a material widely used in industry. It is utilized for automotive parts and construction materials.
- A1050 and A1100
Used for electrical equipment, heat exchanger parts, etc. - A2017
Used for aircraft and train parts. - A5052
Used for automobile wheels and aluminum cans. - A6061
Used in construction materials and various parts where strength is required.
A5052 has well-balanced properties, taking the middle value of all aluminum alloys in each property.
Properties of Aluminum Plate
Aluminum alloys used for Aluminum Plate are numbered in the form of “A” + “number”. Aluminum Plate is generally mass-produced by a manufacturing process known as “rolling. This is a manufacturing method in which a large block of aluminum is stretched between rollers to gradually reduce its thickness.
Since there is a range of thicknesses of Aluminum Plate that can be selected according to each number, it is important to select the optimum number of Aluminum Plate according to the application and processing method. The following are typical properties of Aluminum Plate:
1. A1050
Aluminum purity is 99.5% or higher, and no other elements are added. It has excellent corrosion resistance and surface treatment properties, and is suitable for welding processes. It also has low strength because no other elements are added. On the other hand, its low strength makes it highly machinable.
Because of its stickiness, a drawback is that it is prone to scratches and dents caused by chip contact during cutting. It is necessary to remove chips frequently by air blow or other means. Generally, thicknesses from 0.1mm to 2mm can be selected, depending on the application.
2. A1100
With an aluminum purity of 99% or higher, A1100 has excellent corrosion resistance and formability. Like A1050, it is also suitable for welding. A small amount of copper is added to improve the luster after anodizing. The thickness of the plate is “0.8mm to 5mm” and the material is used according to the application.
3. A2017
This alloy is commonly referred to as Duralumin. It is an alloy to which copper and a small amount of magnesium are added, and has a strength comparable to that of steel materials. On the other hand, it tends to have low workability. It also has the disadvantage of not being suitable for welding processes. A wide range of thicknesses can be selected, from 1mm to 100mm or more.
4. A5052
An alloy to which magnesium and other elements are added. It has a strength that is intermediate between the various types of aluminum alloys that exist, and has excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and workability. It is the most frequently used material and can be welded without problems.
A wide range of plate thicknesses exist, from 0.5mm to 300mm or more. Like A2017, it offers the advantage of being easy to obtain materials with the appropriate plate thickness for each application.
5. A6061
Aluminum alloy with silicon and magnesium added. It has excellent strength and corrosion resistance. By quenching and tempering, it can be made as strong as steel materials.
On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of being unsuitable for welding processing, as is the case with No. 2,000 series. A wide range of plate thicknesses from 1mm to 150mm can be selected, allowing you to find the right material for your application.
In addition to the above, a wide variety of counts exist, and the number of types is increasing daily through research and development. Cooperation with material manufacturers is essential for optimal material selection.
How to Select Aluminum Plate
Since the price of Aluminum Plate varies depending on the amount of material in circulation, it is important to select a number with a high distribution volume and a thickness with a high distribution volume when cost considerations are necessary. In particular, when selecting the same thickness, the manufacturer does not have the same number of sheets in stock.
Therefore, the process starts with rolling Aluminum Plate again, which increases the lead time until delivery. In addition, costs can jump, so care must be taken.