How to choose an aluminium grade
A short guide: which grade suits welding, machining, anodising or high loads.
4 min read
“Aluminium” covers dozens of alloys with different properties. The choice usually comes down to three questions: will it be welded, how heavily loaded is the part, and will it work in a humid environment.
Quick pick by task
| Task | What fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Welding, tanks, corrosion resistance | AMg2, AMg3, AMg5, AMg6 | Al-Mg alloys weld well and resist moisture; strength grows with the number |
| Machining, load-bearing parts | D16T, 6082 | High strength and good machinability |
| Profiles, decor, anodising | AD31 | Nice surface, anodises well, medium strength |
| Bending, deep drawing, electrical | AD1, AD0, AMts | Very ductile and corrosion resistant; low strength |
What to watch
- D16T is strong duralumin, but resists corrosion less and is not meant for ordinary fusion welding.
- Al-Mg alloys do not harden by heat treatment — strength depends on composition and work hardening.
- Delivery condition: M — soft (annealed), N — work-hardened, T — heat-treated. Use M for bending, T for machining and strength.
- Plate vs sheet: plate starts around 6 mm and up, sheet is thinner. Plate is typically used for machining.
For critical parts follow your project specification. An EXPOMET manager will help pick the grade and check stock.