The table below provides a general comparison of key characteristics of various aluminum alloys.
For each characteristic, we have provided ratings, with A the best and, depending on the characteristic, C, D or E the least attractive.
Notes below the table provide additional information about the way the ratings were developed.
Click on any alloy number for a list of products made from that alloy.
| Corrosion Resistance |
Mechanical Fabrication |
Welding Characteristics |
||||||
| General | Stress Corrosion Cracking |
Weld- ability (cold) |
Machin- ability |
Braz- ability |
Gas | Arc | Resist Spot & Seam |
|
| 1100-O | A | A | A | E | A | A | A | B |
| 1100-H14 | A | A | A | D | A | A | A | A |
| 2011-T3 | D | D | C | A | D | D | D | D |
| 2024-O | - | - | - | D | D | D | D | B |
| 2024-T3 | D | C | C | B | D | C | B | B |
| 2024-T351 | D | C | C | B | D | C | B | B |
| 3003-H14 | A | A | B | D | A | A | A | A |
| 3003-H22 | A | A | B | D | A | A | A | A |
| 5005-H34 | A | A | B | D | B | A | A | A |
| 5052-O | A | A | B | D | B | A | A | A |
| 5052-H32 | A | A | B | D | B | A | A | A |
| 5086-H116 | A | B | B | D | D | C | A | A |
| 5086-H32 | A | B | B | D | D | C | A | A |
| 5086-H34 | A | B | B | C | D | C | A | A |
| 6061-O | B | A | A | D | A | A | A | B |
| 6061-T4 | B | B | B | C | A | A | A | A |
| 6061-T6 | B | A | C | C | A | A | A | A |
| 6061-T651 | B | A | C | C | A | A | A | A |
| 6061-T6511 | B | A | C | C | A | A | A | A |
| 6063-T52 | - | - | B | C | A | A | A | A |
| 7050-T7451 | C | B | D | B | D | D | D | B |
| 7075-O | - | - | - | D | D | D | D | B |
| 7075-T6 | C | C | D | B | D | D | D | B |
| 7075-T651 | C | C | D | B | D | D | D | B |
| 7075-T7351 | C | B | D | B | D | D | D | B |
Notes:
Ratings reflect merit. Alloys rated A have the best characteristics.
Corrosion resistance: Ratings A and B indicate alloys that can be used in industrial and seacoast atmosphere without protection. Alloys rated C, D and E should be protected on faying surfaces.
Stress corrosion cracking: Based on experience and lab tests, alloys rated A show no known instance of failure, alloys rated B have not failed in service but were observed to suffer limited failures in lab tests, while alloys rated C suffered service failures under sustained stress transfers to grain as well as lab failures.
Weldability and brazability: An A rating designates alloys that are generally weldable by all commercial procedures and methods. B designates alloys that are weldable with special techniques; we recommend you test the alloy before committing to a process. C designates alloys with limited weldability because of increased susceptibility to cracking, loss of resistance to corrosion and other undesirable mechanical changes. D designates alloys for which there are no widely used techniques to produce successful welds.
Ratings reflect merit. Alloys rated A have the best characteristics.
Corrosion resistance: Ratings A and B indicate alloys that can be used in industrial and seacoast atmosphere without protection. Alloys rated C, D and E should be protected on faying surfaces.
Stress corrosion cracking: Based on experience and lab tests, alloys rated A show no known instance of failure, alloys rated B have not failed in service but were observed to suffer limited failures in lab tests, while alloys rated C suffered service failures under sustained stress transfers to grain as well as lab failures.
Weldability and brazability: An A rating designates alloys that are generally weldable by all commercial procedures and methods. B designates alloys that are weldable with special techniques; we recommend you test the alloy before committing to a process. C designates alloys with limited weldability because of increased susceptibility to cracking, loss of resistance to corrosion and other undesirable mechanical changes. D designates alloys for which there are no widely used techniques to produce successful welds.