When choosing aluminum for machining, you can consider things like strength, corrosion resistance, and formability. Some common aluminum grades for machining include:
- 6061A popular, versatile, and heat-treatable alloy that's strong, corrosion resistant, and easy to process. It's a standard grade for CNC machining.
- 7075A strong and durable alloy that's often used for applications that require high strength.
- 2024A versatile and inexpensive alloy that's easy to finish and machine. It's weaker than other aluminum alloys, but its strength and hardness are increased by copper and magnesium.
- 5052A dependable alloy with moderate strength and good corrosion resistance. It's often used in marine equipment because it doesn't contain copper.
- 6063An architectural alloy with high tensile properties, strong corrosion resistance, and good finishing characteristics. It's often used in aluminum architecture applications.
- 3003A widely used, general-purpose alloy with high corrosion resistance, workability, and weldability. It's often used in lightweight buildings.
- 5083An alloy that performs well in extreme environments like seawater and industrial chemicals. It's strong and retains strength after welding.