Considering the production ways of aluminum alloys, it can be examined in two main subgroups as casting and process. Alloys formed by plastic deformation consist of different compositions and microstructure compared to cast alloys. We can examine the main group in two subgroups as heat treatment and non-heat treatment. In heat-treated alloys, strength can be increased by aging, while non-heat treated alloys are strengthened by solid melt, hardening and dispersion strength.
Casting Aluminum Alloys:
1xxx Commercial purity Al - Not aging.
2xxx Al-Cu alloys - Agable.
3xxx Al-Si-Cu or Al-Mg-Si alloys – Slightly aging.
4xxx Al-Si alloys - Not aging.
5xxx Al-Mg alloys - Not wettable.
7xxx Al-Mg-Zn alloys - Agable.
8xxx Al-Sn alloys - Agable.
Process Aluminum Alloys:
1xxx Commercial purity Al (> 99% Al) - Not aging.
2xxx Al-Cu alloys - Agable.
3xxx Al-Mn alloys - Not agable.
4xxx Al- Si alloys - If magnesium is present, it can be aged.
5xxx Al-Mg alloys - Not agable.
6xxx Al-Mg-Si alloys - Agable.
7xxx Al-Mg-Zn alloys - Agable.
Compositions of Cast Aluminum Alloys:
The composition of casting and forging alloys is different. Casting alloys have different strength, flexibility and corrosion resistance. It also has features such as fluency and affusion
In cast aluminum alloys, the addition of 0%; 3-1.0 magnesium provides increased strength due to precipitation hardening.
Copper is present in some cast aluminum alloys at 1-4%. It provides increased strength especially at high temperatures.
Process Aluminum Alloys That Cannot Be Applied Heat Treatment:
1xxx Series Alloys:
These alloys contain a minimum of 99.0% aluminum and impurity as silicon and iron.
3xxx Series Alloys:
The most important alloy in this series is 3003. This alloy is created by adding 1.25% manganese to the 1100 alloy.
2xxx Series Alloys:
Many of these series alloys are added along with copper, magnesium and other elements in low amounts.
5xxx Series Alloys:
Magnesium, the main alloying element of this series, provides solid melt strength and can be up to 5%.
Heat Treatment Processable Aluminum Alloys:
6xxx Serisi Alaşımları:
Mg2Si intermetalik bileşikleri, çökelti sertleştirilmesi ile dayanım artışı sağlamaktadır.
7xxx Series Alloys:
The basic precipitates consist of MgZn2 intermetallic compound.
