On this page 12 sections
What is Aluminium?
Quick answer
- Definition
- Aluminium alloys, from pure 1xxx and Al-Mn 3003 to marine-grade 5083 and structural 6061/6063, supplied as pipes, tubes, plates, sheets, coils, bars and sections.
- Family
- Aluminium
- Key strength
- About ⅓ of the density of steel
- Main forms
- Pipes, Tubes, Plates, Sheets, Coils, Bars
- Typical uses
- Marine hulls and superstructures (5083); LNG tanks and cryogenic vessels; Structural frames and profiles (6061/6063)
At about a third of the density of steel, aluminium alloys give light, corrosion-resistant structures that stay tough at cryogenic temperatures. Non-heat-treatable 5083 (Al-Mg) is the standard for marine hulls, LNG tanks and pressure vessels. Heat-treatable 6061 and 6063 (Al-Mg-Si) cover structural profiles, tubes and machined parts. 3003 and 1xxx are used for heat exchangers, sheet-metal work and chemical equipment.
Specify the alloy and temper (for example 6061-T6, 5083-H111) together with the standard and size.
Key characteristics
- About ⅓ of the density of steel
- Excellent at cryogenic temperatures
- 5083 for marine and LNG; 6061/6063 for structures
- Good corrosion resistance and conductivity
What are the specifications and equivalents of Aluminium?
| Product form | Specification / designation | Product page |
|---|---|---|
| Pipes | ASTM B241 / B429 | Aluminium pipes → |
| Tubes | ASTM B210 / B241 | Aluminium tubes → |
| Plates | ASTM B209 | Aluminium plates → |
| Sheets | ASTM B209 | Aluminium sheets → |
| Coils | ASTM B209 | Aluminium coils → |
| Bars | ASTM B211 / B221 | Aluminium bars → |
| Angles | ASTM B308 / B221 | Aluminium angles → |
| Channels | ASTM B308 / B221 | Aluminium channels → |
UNS AA 1100 / 3003 / 5083 / 6061 / 6063 · EN EN AW-1100 / 3003 / 5083 / 6061 / 6063 (cross-reference; limits are similar but not identical)
Standards: ASTM B209, ASTM B210, ASTM B211, ASTM B241, ASTM B308.
What is the chemical composition of Aluminium?
| Element | Limit (%) |
|---|---|
| Mg (5083) | 4.0 – 4.9 |
| Mn (5083) | 0.40 – 1.0 |
| Mg (6061) | 0.8 – 1.2 |
| Si (6061) | 0.40 – 0.8 |
| Cu (6061) | 0.15 – 0.40 |
| Mn (3003) | 1.0 – 1.5 |
What are the mechanical properties of Aluminium?
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ≈ 290 – 310 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2% offset) | ≈ 240 – 275 MPa |
| Elongation | ≈ 8 – 10% |
Physical properties and service temperature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density (typical) | 2.7 g/cm³ (2700 kg/m³) |
| Magnetism | Non-magnetic. |
| Heat treatment | Supplied annealed or in the specified temper. |
| Service temperature | — |
How is Aluminium welded and fabricated?
Weldable and brazeable with suitable consumables.
Always follow a qualified welding procedure (for example ASME Section IX) and the filler-metal recommendations for Aluminium. Verify incoming material by PMI and check the mill test certificate against the specification.
Which Aluminium products do we supply?
Aluminium is available in 8 product forms, from ready stock or mill-sourced to your specification, with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates (3.2 with third-party inspection on request).
Aluminium PipesASTM B241 / B429Specification & sizes
How it's madeSeamless pipe is pierced from a solid billet and hot-finished or cold-drawn. Welded pipe is formed from strip or plate and welded longitudinally (ERW/HFW, TIG/plasma, EFW, LSAW) or spirally (SAWH). Stainless and nickel-alloy pipe is then solution annealed and pickled. Carbon and alloy steel pipe is supplied as-rolled, normalised, or normalised and tempered according to the specification.
- Specification
- ASTM B241 / B429
- Size range
- NPS ⅛" to 48" and larger (DN 6 – DN 1200+), schedules 5S to XXS, single random, double random and cut lengths
- Finish
- Annealed & pickled, bright annealed, mill finish, black, varnished, galvanised or 3LPE / FBE coated (by material)
- Ends
- Plain end (PE), bevelled end (BE, ASME B16.25), threaded (NPT / BSP), grooved
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical (tension, flattening, flare/bend) tests
- Hydrostatic test or non-destructive electric test (UT/ET) on each length
- Dimensional and visual inspection
- Intergranular corrosion (stainless), impact (low-temperature), hardness (sour service) when specified
- PMI and third-party inspection on request
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium TubesASTM B210 / B241Specification & sizes
How it's madeSeamless tubes are hot-extruded or pierced and then cold-drawn or pilgered to size. Welded tubes are formed from strip, welded (TIG/laser/HF), bead-worked and drawn or sized. Heat-exchanger and boiler tubes are annealed after final forming, and U-tubes are bent and stress-relieved as required.
- Specification
- ASTM B210 / B241
- Size range
- OD 3 mm to about 127 mm (¼" to 5") typical, wall 0.5 mm to 12 mm; BWG or mm; straight lengths up to about 30 m, U-bent to drawing
- Finish
- Annealed & pickled, bright annealed (BA), polished (sanitary), cold-drawn
- Ends
- Plain square-cut, deburred; U-bends with stress-relieved bends on request
Testing & documents
- Eddy-current and/or ultrasonic testing on each tube
- Hydrostatic or pneumatic test
- Flattening, flaring and flange tests
- Grain size (H grades), IGC and hardness when specified
- Surface roughness (Ra) for sanitary and instrumentation tube
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium PlatesASTM B209Specification & sizes
How it's madeSlabs are hot-rolled on a reversing plate mill (or a Steckel/hot-strip mill for thinner plate), then heat treated (annealed, normalised, or quenched and tempered, depending on material), descaled and pickled or shot-blasted. Plates are cut to size by plasma, oxy-fuel, waterjet or shearing.
- Specification
- ASTM B209
- Size range
- Thickness about 3 – 150 mm (and heavier on request), widths 1,000 – 3,000 mm, lengths 2,000 – 12,000 mm; cut-to-size and profile-cut parts
- Finish
- No.1 (hot-rolled, annealed and pickled) for stainless; shot-blasted, mill scale or primed for carbon steel
- Ends
- Mill edge, sheared, plasma or waterjet cut, profile cut to drawing
Testing & documents
- Chemical analysis and tensile tests (per plate or heat)
- Impact tests for low-temperature and pressure-vessel plates
- Ultrasonic testing (e.g. ASTM A435 / A578) when specified
- IGC, HIC and simulated PWHT tests as required
- Flatness and dimensional inspection
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium SheetsASTM B209Specification & sizes
How it's madeHot-rolled coil is cold-rolled to final thickness, then annealed and pickled (2B/2D) or bright annealed (BA), temper-passed, and polished or textured as needed. Coils are then levelled and cut into sheets.
- Specification
- ASTM B209
- Size range
- Thickness about 0.3 – 6 mm, standard sizes 1,000 × 2,000, 1,219 × 2,438 (4 × 8 ft), 1,250 × 2,500 and 1,500 × 3,000 mm; custom cut lengths
- Finish
- 2B, 2D, BA, No.4 (brushed), HL (hairline), No.8 (mirror), embossed, PVC or laser-film protected
- Ends
- Sheared or slit edges; laser-cut blanks on request
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Surface and finish inspection
- Thickness and flatness checks
- Hardness and bend tests as specified
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium CoilsASTM B209Specification & sizes
How it's madeHot-rolled coil (HRC) comes from the hot-strip mill. Cold-rolled coil (CRC) is further reduced on a cold mill, then annealed and pickled or bright annealed, and skin-passed. Slitting lines cut master coils into narrow strips to the width you order.
- Specification
- ASTM B209
- Size range
- Thickness about 0.3 – 12 mm; widths from narrow slit strip (about 10 mm) to 1,250 / 1,500 / 2,000 mm; coil ID 508 / 610 mm; coil weights to order
- Finish
- No.1 (hot-rolled, annealed, pickled), 2B, 2D, BA, No.4 for stainless; HR black, pickled & oiled, CR for carbon steel
- Ends
- Mill edge or slit edge
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Thickness profile and surface inspection
- Hardness and bend tests
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium BarsASTM B211 / B221Specification & sizes
How it's madeBillets are hot-rolled or forged to size, then heat treated (annealed, solution treated, or quenched and tempered) and finished by descaling, peeling, turning, cold-drawing or centreless grinding for bright bar with tight tolerance.
- Specification
- ASTM B211 / B221
- Size range
- Round bars about 3 – 500 mm diameter; hex 6 – 100 mm A/F; square and flat sections to order; lengths 3 – 6 m random or cut to size
- Finish
- Black (hot-rolled), peeled, bright drawn, centreless ground and polished (h9 / h11 tolerance)
- Ends
- Saw-cut, chamfered on request
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Ultrasonic testing for internal soundness
- Hardness, IGC and impact tests as specified
- Straightness and tolerance checks
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium AnglesASTM B308 / B221Specification & sizes
How it's madeHot-rolled from billets on section mills (carbon steel), hot-rolled or laser-fused (stainless steel), or extruded (aluminium).
- Specification
- ASTM B308 / B221
- Size range
- Equal angles about 20 × 20 × 3 mm to 200 × 200 × 25 mm; unequal angles to order; lengths 6 m / 12 m or cut
- Finish
- Mill black, shot-blasted and primed, galvanised; pickled or polished (stainless)
- Ends
- Saw-cut to length; drilled or punched on request
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Dimensional and straightness checks
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Aluminium ChannelsASTM B308 / B221Specification & sizes
How it's madeHot-rolled on section mills (carbon steel), hot-rolled or laser-fused (stainless), or extruded (aluminium).
- Specification
- ASTM B308 / B221
- Size range
- ISMC 75 – ISMC 400 and equivalents; UPN 80 – UPN 400; lengths 6 m / 12 m or cut
- Finish
- Mill black, primed or galvanised; pickled or polished (stainless)
- Ends
- Saw-cut to length
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Dimensional and straightness checks
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Where is Aluminium used?
Typical applications
- Marine hulls and superstructures (5083)
- LNG tanks and cryogenic vessels
- Structural frames and profiles (6061/6063)
- Heat exchangers and fins (3003)
- Transport and aerospace parts
What should you specify when buying Aluminium?
- Grade and specification, e.g. ASTM B241 / B429
- Product form, size and tolerance
- Heat treatment / condition and surface finish
- Quantity, delivery location and required date
- Tests: PMI, hydro/NDT, IGC, impact or hardness as required
- Certificate type (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2) and third-party inspection
See our RFQ checklist guide and what drives metal prices.
Explore more on Aluminium
Frequently asked questions
Which aluminium alloy is used for marine applications?
5083 (and 5086), Al-Mg alloys with excellent seawater corrosion resistance and weldability, are standard for hulls and marine structures.
Is it aluminium or aluminum?
Both refer to the same metal. "Aluminium" is the British/Indian spelling and "aluminum" the American one.
What is Aluminium used for?
Marine hulls and superstructures (5083), LNG tanks and cryogenic vessels, Structural frames and profiles (6061/6063), Heat exchangers and fins (3003). It's used across Shipbuilding, Aerospace, Automotive & Transport, Construction & Architecture.
What is the UNS number of Aluminium?
Aluminium is designated UNS AA 1100 / 3003 / 5083 / 6061 / 6063; the closest EN cross-reference is EN AW-1100 / 3003 / 5083 / 6061 / 6063.
Which product forms is Aluminium available in?
Pipes, Tubes, Plates, Sheets, Coils, Bars, Angles, Channels, to ASTM B241 / B429, ASTM B210 / B241, ASTM B209 and related specifications.
What is the density of Aluminium?
About 2.7 g/cm³ (2700 kg/m³), used for weight calculations.
Is Aluminium magnetic?
Non-magnetic.