Aluminum Alloy Designations | Aluminum Tubing and Pipe

The aluminum industry uses a four-digit numerical designation to identify wrought aluminum alloys.  The first digit indicates the major alloying element.  The second digit indicates whether there is a modification in the basic alloy.  The third and fourth digit indicates the specific alloy.   The list below shows the various groups:

1XXX	Aluminum 99% or greater
2XXX	Copper – major alloying element
3XXX	Manganese – major alloying element
5XXX	Magnesium – major alloying element
6XXX	Magnesium and silicon – major alloying elements
7XXX	Zinc – major alloying element

 



2024 Drawn Aluminum Tubing

The main alloying element in 2024 drawn Aluminum tubing is Copper. This tube is used primarily in aircraft applications because of is high strength and good fatigue resistance. This is not considered a weld-able alloy, though it can be welded through friction welding. Machinability is considered average. The Copper component of this alloy makes it susceptible to corrosion.

Aluminum Stock Size Range:

Shapes:  Rounds, squares and rectangles

OD:  3/16″ through 5″

Walls: .028” through .250”

Tempers:  O, T3, F

Specifications:  ASTM B210, AMS 4088, AMS 4087, AMS-WWT-700/3

 

Typical Chemical Composition (weight percent %)

Silicon:             0.50 maximum

Iron:                 0.50 maximum

Copper:            3.8 – 4.9

Manganese:    0.30 – 0.90

Magnesium:    1.2 – 1.8

Chromium:      0.10 maximum

Zinc:                 0.25 maximum

Titanium:        0.15 maximum

Other Elements: 0.05 each, 0.15 Total

Remainder: Aluminum

 

Typical Mechanical Properties

Temper Tensile Strength, Yield Strength

        (ksi) (0.2 % offset), minimum, ksi

O        32.0 max.                15.0 max.

T3      64.0 min.                  42.0

 

6061 Drawn Aluminum Tubing

6061 drawn aluminum tubing is silicon and magnesium alloyed aluminum product, it is the preferred alloy for applications requiring brazing or welding of the material. This alloy has both good corrosion resistance and formability. The machining characteristics of this material are good. These tubes are well suited for anodizing to give them an excellent appearance.

Aluminum Stock Size Range:

OD:  3/16″ through 9″

Walls:  .020 through .125

Shapes:  Rounds, squares and rectangles

Tempers: O, T4, T6

Specifications: ASTM B210, AMS 4080, AMS 4082, AMS 4083, AMS-T-7081, AMS-WWT-700/6

Typical Chemical Composition (weight percent %)

Silicon:             0.40 minimum – 0.50 maximum

Iron:                 0.70 maximum

Copper:            0.15 minimum – 0.40 maximum

Manganese:    0.15 maximum

Magnesium:    0.80 minimum – 1.2 maximum

Chromium:      0.04 minimum – 0.35 maximum

Zinc:                 0.25 maximum

Titanium:        0.15 maximum

Other Elements: 0.05 maximum each, 0.15 maximum Total

Remainder: Aluminum

 

Typical Mechanical Properties:
Temper	Tensile Strength,			Yield Strength
		(ksi)			(0.2% offset),
					minimum, ksi
O T4 T6		22.0 max. 30.0 min. 42.0 min.			14.0 max. 16.0 35.0