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What is an aluminium alloy? - 1-LVDCPN - 08-31-2018 aluminium alloys (or aluminum alloys; see spelling differences) are alloys in which aluminium (Al) is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin and zinc. There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, both of which are further subdivided into the categories heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable. About 85% of aluminium is used for wrought products, for example rolled plate, foils and extrusions. Cast aluminium alloys yield cost-effective products due to the low melting point, although they generally have lower tensile strengths than wrought alloys. The most important cast aluminium alloy system is Al–Si, where the high levels of silicon (4.0–13%) contribute to give good casting characteristics. Aluminium alloys are widely used in engineering structures and components where light weight or corrosion resistance is required. Alloys composed mostly of aluminium have been very important in aerospace manufacturing since the introduction of metal-skinned aircraft. Aluminium-magnesium alloys are both lighter than other aluminium alloys and much less flammable than alloys that contain a very high percentage of magnesium. Aluminium alloy surfaces will develop a white, protective layer of aluminium oxide if left unprotected by anodizing and/or correct painting procedures. In a wet environment, galvanic corrosion can occur when an aluminium alloy is placed in electrical contact with other metals with more positive corrosion potentials than aluminium, and an electrolyte is present that allows ion exchange. Referred to as dissimilar-metal corrosion, this process can occur as exfoliation or as intergranular corrosion. Aluminium alloys can be improperly heat treated. This causes internal element separation, and the metal then corrodes from the inside out. RE: What is an aluminium alloy? - aluminiumsheet - 08-31-2018 Aluminum alloy is one of the most widely used nonferrous metal structural materials in the industry. With the rapid development of industrial economy, the demand for aluminum alloy welded structural parts is increasing day by day. At present, aluminum alloy is the most widely used alloy. Aluminum alloy is low in density, but high in strength, close to or more than high quality steel, good in plasticity, can be processed into various profiles, with excellent conductivity, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, widely used in industry, usage is second only to steel. Some aluminum alloys achieve good mechanical, physical and corrosion resistance by heat treatment. Hard aluminum alloy belongs to ai-cu-mg series and generally contains a small amount of Mn, which can be strengthened by heat treatment. It is characterized by high hardness but poor plasticity. The superhard aluminum belongs to Al one Cu – Mg – Zn series, which can be heat treated and strengthened. Wrought aluminum alloy is mainly Al – Zn – Mg – Si series alloy, although the variety of elements is added, but the content is less, so it has excellent thermoplastic, suitable for forging, so it is also known as forged aluminum alloy