Short answer: Aluminum alloys are numbered by their main alloying element: 1xxx is nearly pure and highly conductive, 3xxx (manganese) is the formable corrosion-resistant workhorse, 5xxx (magnesium) is the weldable marine family, 6xxx (Mg+Si) is the heat-treatable structural and extrusion family, and 7xxx (zinc) delivers the highest strength for aerospace.
At a Glance
How the Numbering Works
The first digit names the principal alloying element; the rest identify the specific alloy. Series split into non-heat-treatable (1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx — strengthened by cold work, shown as H tempers) and heat-treatable (2xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx — strengthened by solution treatment and ageing, shown as T tempers). Our Aluminum Supplier programme covers all common grades in sheet, plate, coil and Aluminum Extrusion Supplier profiles.
Series by Series
1xxx — 99%+ pure, best conductivity and formability, lowest strength; used in busbar (see Copper Busbar Guide for the copper comparison) and reflectors. 3xxx — manganese; the 3003/3105 roofing and ducting family, compared in 1060 Vs 3003 Aluminum. 5xxx — magnesium; 5052, 5083 and 5754 for marine and tank work, detailed in 5083 Aluminum Properties 그리고 Aluminum 5052 Properties. 6xxx — the structural workhorse, 6061 and 6082, see Aluminum 6061 Properties 그리고 6082 Vs 6061 Aluminum. 7xxx — zinc; 7075 reaches steel-like strength but is not weldable, compared in 7075 Vs 6061 Aluminum 그리고 2024 Vs 7075 Aluminum.
Choosing a Series
Start from the duty: conductivity → 1xxx; deep forming and coastal exposure → 3xxx or 5xxx; load-bearing frames and machined parts → 6061/6082-T6; maximum strength-to-weight → 7075. Welding follows 알루미늄 용접 방법, forming limits follow the temper (H vs T), and finishing follows Anodizing Vs Powder Coating. Where aluminum meets steel, plan for Galvanic Corrosion Guide. Property comparison against steel is in Steel Vs Aluminum.
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자주 묻는 질문
The first digit names the principal alloying element: 1xxx pure aluminum, 2xxx copper, 3xxx manganese, 4xxx silicon, 5xxx magnesium, 6xxx magnesium+silicon and 7xxx zinc.
The 7xxx (zinc) series is strongest — 7075-T6 reaches around 570 MPa tensile — but it is not readily weldable and costs more than 6xxx.
5xxx (magnesium) is non-heat-treatable, highly weldable and excellent in salt water; 6xxx (Mg+Si) is heat-treatable to T6, extrudable and preferred for structural load-bearing parts.
5052, 5083 and 5754 from the 5xxx series are the marine standards thanks to magnesium’s salt-water corrosion resistance and good weldability.
Source Any Aluminum Series from HXSCO
HXSCO supplies 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx aluminum in sheet, plate, coil, bar and extrusion with mill certificates. Send your alloy and quantity for a quote.