9 Series of Aluminium Alloys

Aluminium is considered one of the most utilized metals in industries and households. We can find aluminium in various forms, like beverage cans, food foil, kitchen utensils, window frames, car parts, and even parts of airplanes and spacecraft. All these products primarily consist of aluminium, but how are they similar and different? Aluminium Loop invites everyone to find the answer. First, let’s understand the properties of aluminium. Some might wonder what makes this metal so good and why it’s used in so many different applications. With properties of being strong yet having low density and being lightweight, conducting heat and cold well, resistant to corrosion, easy to shape, and importantly, endlessly recyclable without losing its properties, aluminium is used in a wide range of industries. However, many products containing aluminium don’t use 100% pure aluminium but rather aluminium alloy mixed with other elements to enhance the material’s performance for specific uses. These elements include magnesium, silicon, copper, manganese, and zinc, among others. We can categorize aluminium alloy into 9 series, based on the properties of aluminium mixed with different elements. Series 1xxx: Aluminium with at least 99.00% purity

The purity of aluminium ranges between 99.0% – 99.9%. It’s not very strong but is ductile, conducts heat and electricity well, and reflects light effectively. It’s easy to shape and process, making it suitable for kitchenware, food containers, high-voltage power lines, and reflective sheets, among others.

Series 2xxx: Aluminium-Copper Alloys (Aluminium-Copper Alloys)

These are strong due to the copper, which also improves metal flow. They are used in applications requiring high strength, like wheel rims, mag wheels, piston heads, and cylinders.

Series 3xxx: Aluminium-Manganese Alloys (Aluminium-Manganese Alloys)

They have fairly good strength, are corrosion-resistant, and are flexible, making them suitable for cans, beverage lids, electrical appliances, automotive parts, and refrigeration units.

Series Series 4xxx: Aluminium-Silicon Alloys

Silicon makes this alloy lightweight, improves flow properties during shaping, prevents cracking, and is corrosion-resistant. It’s ideal for complex shapes, such as architectural work, engine blocks, and piston rods.

Series 5xxx: Aluminium-Magnesium Alloys

High strength and helps aluminium sheets become less brittle and more corrosion-resistant, especially against seawater. Commonly used in marine equipment and can lids.

Series 6xxx: Aluminium-Magnesium-Silicon Alloys

These are easy to do turning process, polish, and finish, popular in architectural work, furniture, window frames, automotive parts, and electrical appliances.

Series 7xxx: Aluminium-Zinc Alloys

Very strong, lightweight, and can withstand high pressures, but require heat for shaping. Used in aircraft parts and mobile phone components.

Series 8xxx: Aluminium-Lithium Alloys

Contain lithium, the least dense element, making this alloy very lightweight. Primarily used in the aerospace industry due to significant weight reduction, like in spacecraft and military aircraft parts.

Series 9xxx: Not in use The first number, 1-9, indicates the series of the aluminium alloy, and the second to fourth digits vary according to the different alloying elements and their amounts. For example

Aluminium cans use aluminium from the 3rd series (Aluminium-Manganese Alloys), which have relatively good strength but not extremely high. They are flexible and ductile, making can shaping easier. This is classified as Aluminium Alloy 3104.

While many might think cans ring (pull tabs) use the same type of aluminium as can bodies. They actually use aluminium from the 5th series (Aluminium-Magnesium Alloys), which are stronger and more brittle, as well as more corrosion-resistant. This ensures the lid maintains its shape and can be easily opened, classified as Aluminium Alloy 5182.

Even though aluminium can be divided into 9 series based on different compositions, all Aluminium Alloys can be recycled the same way. Not just aluminium cans, but all types of aluminium should ideally be recycled back into the same product types to reduce the need for new raw materials.

So, if you have any unused electrical appliances, car parts, or construction materials made of aluminium, including used aluminium drink cans, you can sell them to a scrap dealer. This way, the aluminium can re-enter the recycling process and be reused, which not only helps the planet but can also fetch a good price (read more about aluminium prices at https://aluminiumloop.com/lme-aluminium-price/)

Thanks to additional information from Anglo Asia Group , a recognized aluminium recycling plant with experience and expertise.

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– Muang Thong Aluminium, ประเภทอลูมิเนียมและการใช้งาน

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