The decision in choosing an alloy is principally determined by what the material is to be used for, its qualities and its characteristics in terms of further processing.

In general terms, extruded aluminium can be divided into two groups; the AlMgSi (6000) group and the AlZnMg (7000) group. Both groups can be heat-treated. This process increases the strength of the material through a combination of the inherent qualities of the alloy and the heat-treatment process.

The most widely used aluminium alloy is 6063, because of its corrosion resistance and formability. Anodising is an ideal surface treatment for this particular alloy, which is often used in architectural works and thanks to its inherent qualities, is suitable for complex designs. Alloy 6101B is a special alloy with high electrical conductivity and is therefore particularly suitable for use in components used in electrical applications.

6005A, 6061, 6082 are alloys that are suitable for a wide range of applications, where tensile strength is more important than surface finish. Of all of the AlMgSi alloys 6082 has the greatest tensile strength and is therefore most suitable for dynamic load designs and constructions. For complex extrusions and hollow sections, alloy 6005A is preferable to 6082, as it is not always necessary to cool them in water (which can cause distortions that are difficult to correct) while alloy 6082 usually needs intensive cooling.

Alloy EN 7020 is stronger than EN 6082 or EN 6061 and is particularly suitable for welded constructions. Alloy EN 7020 has the greatest tensile strength and has almost the same mechanical qualities as normal construction steel. As a result, this is the most frequently used alloy in designs and constructions which require high tensile strength. It is also used in building construction where there is a great deal of heavy-duty welding.

All AlMgSi alloys are suitable for welding, but it is possible that they lose a certain amount of tensile strength, both on the welding seam and in the zone affected by the heat, as a result of the heat generated during the welding process. All AlZnMg alloys are particularly suitable for welded constructions, since the decrease in tensile strength caused by the welding process is appreciably less. Click here for a table of alloys for general guidelines.

Alutrade is not merely a supplier of aluminium, it is also a company with knowledge, experience and a thorough understanding of the many different aspects of the qualities of aluminium. The choice of alloy, tolerances, tensile strength and dimensions are just a few areas where we can provide help. Our driving force is to find the section with the most economical production costs for you, the customer.

Our comprehensive stock programme with over 7,000 dimensions from supplies of aluminium all over Europe, puts us at the forefront. Add to this all our special profiles, both really big and really small, that we develop to satisfy customer requirements and specific demands. Complex, difficult and unusual profiles are our speciality. We can therefore rightly claim to have exactly what the customer requires!

As a subcontractor, we are an important link in our customer’s quality system. A chain that has to function correctly from the first link to the last, in order to be able to guarantee quality and delivery times. Our own quality system therefore enables us to precisely monitor orders and agreements from the production plant to delivery to the customer’s door.

The decision in choosing an alloy is principally determined by what the material is to be used for, its qualities and its characteristics in terms of further processing.

In general terms, extruded aluminium can be divided into two groups; the AlMgSi (6000) group and the AlZnMg (7000) group. Both groups can be heat-treated. This process increases the strength of the material through a combination of the inherent qualities of the alloy and the heat-treatment process.

The most widely used aluminium alloy is 6063, because of its corrosion resistance and formability. Anodising is an ideal surface treatment for this particular alloy, which is often used in architectural works and thanks to its inherent qualities, is suitable for complex designs. Alloy 6101B is a special alloy with high electrical conductivity and is therefore particularly suitable for use in components used in electrical applications.

6005A, 6061, 6082 are alloys that are suitable for a wide range of applications, where tensile strength is more important than surface finish. Of all of the AlMgSi alloys 6082 has the greatest tensile strength and is therefore most suitable for dynamic load designs and constructions. For complex extrusions and hollow sections, alloy 6005A is preferable to 6082, as it is not always necessary to cool them in water (which can cause distortions that are difficult to correct) while alloy 6082 usually needs intensive cooling.

Alloy EN 7020 is stronger than EN 6082 or EN 6061 and is particularly suitable for welded constructions. Alloy EN 7020 has the greatest tensile strength and has almost the same mechanical qualities as normal construction steel. As a result, this is the most frequently used alloy in designs and constructions which require high tensile strength. It is also used in building construction where there is a great deal of heavy-duty welding.

All AlMgSi alloys are suitable for welding, but it is possible that they lose a certain amount of tensile strength, both on the welding seam and in the zone affected by the heat, as a result of the heat generated during the welding process. All AlZnMg alloys are particularly suitable for welded constructions, since the decrease in tensile strength caused by the welding process is appreciably less. Click here for a table of alloys for general guidelines.

Alutrade is not merely a supplier of aluminium, it is also a company with knowledge, experience and a thorough understanding of the many different aspects of the qualities of aluminium. The choice of alloy, tolerances, tensile strength and dimensions are just a few areas where we can provide help. Our driving force is to find the section with the most economical production costs for you, the customer.

Our comprehensive stock programme with over 7,000 dimensions from supplies of aluminium all over Europe, puts us at the forefront. Add to this all our special profiles, both really big and really small, that we develop to satisfy customer requirements and specific demands. Complex, difficult and unusual profiles are our speciality. We can therefore rightly claim to have exactly what the customer requires!

As a subcontractor, we are an important link in our customer’s quality system. A chain that has to function correctly from the first link to the last, in order to be able to guarantee quality and delivery times. Our own quality system therefore enables us to precisely monitor orders and agreements from the production plant to delivery to the customer’s door.