Since its industrialization in the early 1900s, Aluminium has become one of the most commonly used metals in various industries. Its lightweight and relatively high strength make it perfect for numerous applications.

In this article we’ll explore some common uses for Aluminium sheets, the different types, and why it’s used over other materials.

What is an Aluminium Sheet?

After the material is refined and alloyed with other elements, sheet Aluminium is made through a process involving the rolling and flattening of cast ingots. The process is tightly controlled and produces consistent thicknesses.

The thicknesses available range from 0.5mm up to 6mm, and in a multitude of different grades and tempers. Different thicknesses are preferred for different applications.

The temper of the Aluminium sheet is the state of heat treatment it is currently in. This affects the strength and workability of the material. Not all Aluminium grades can be heat-treated.

Why use an Aluminium Sheet?

After steel and its variations, Aluminium is the most commonly found metal in the industry. It has multiple beneficial properties when compared to steel or stainless steel, these include:

• Lightness
• Relative Strength
• Corrosion resistance
• Low cost

Below we’ve answered some questions you may have about Aluminium:

Is Aluminium lighter than steel?

At around one-third of the weight of steel, Aluminium can be used to produce structures and components that are much cheaper to transport, better to use, or safer to lift when compared to steel or stainless steel.

In terms easier to visualize, an 2500mm x 1250 mm sheet of Aluminium 1050 in 3mm weighs 25kg, a sheet of steel of the same dimensions weighs over 70kg.

How strong is Aluminium?

Despite its low density, Aluminium is incredibly strong, and can be stronger than steel and stainless steel per pound.

If a beam constructed of steel was replaced by one from 1050 Aluminium, it could be half as heavy whilst still able to support the same load. Many safety-critical components for aircraft, cars, motorbikes and bicycles are made from Aluminium.

Does Aluminium rust?

Another big benefit of Aluminium is that it does not rust in the same way Steel does, this is due to the lack of Iron in Aluminium alloy. Aluminium does oxidize however, but only in specific circumstances and does not cause the same structural issues as with steel.

Because Aluminium does not rust, there are large savings available in not having to paint or finish the parts to prevent corrosion. This also means parts can last longer without the need for repainting or replacement due to corrosion.

How expensive is an Aluminium sheet?

Aluminium is more expensive than steel, but generally slightly cheaper than stainless steel. However, as we just discussed, the end product costs of Aluminium can match steel components because they don’t need finishing to be protected from the elements.

Here at Metals Supermarkets, we stock multiple grades of Aluminium sheets, all at very reasonable prices. Check out our Aluminum grades and stock here for exact pricing and availability or visit your closest store.

Is Aluminium easy to weld?

The workability of Aluminium is one of its greatest strengths, thanks to the wide variety of grades and heat treatment processes, there is almost no process that cannot be adapted to work efficiently with Aluminium sheets.

Alongside great weldability, Aluminium can be bent, machined, forged, rolled and laser cut with great success, as long as the grade is specified correctly.

What are the common types of Aluminium sheet?

Like all metal alloys, Aluminium comes in a multitude of grades, each with slightly different alloying compositions and therefore differing mechanical properties. The main types of Aluminium are listed below, Metal Supermarkets can supply all of these grades.

• Aluminium 1050: Comprising 99% or above pure Aluminium, Its high malleability means it’s great for forming and bending, but should not be used in strength or pressure applications.
• Aluminium 2024: A high-strength heat-treatable grade, 2024 is used for aircraft fittings, structural components and other transportation equipment.
• Aluminium 3003: Heavily alloyed with manganese for strength and workability, the 3000 series is considered a general purpose Aluminium grade. Often used for process vessels, pipework and chemical tanks.
• Aluminium 5083: This grade has a high salt water corrosion resistance, is moderately superplastic, this attractive combination of properties has led to the increasing use of its superplastic forming for a range of parts in non-structural applications.
• Aluminium 6063/6082 alloy contains large amounts of magnesium and silicone, it is often used in extruded or forged products. Commonly used on flooring, load-bearing ramps, trusses, etc.
• Aluminium 7075: A highly engineered ultra-high strength alloy, 7075 is used in critical aerospace, automotive and defense applications.

Common uses of Aluminium sheet:

Once you start to look for it, it’s easy to find Aluminium sheet materials in almost any environment, from consumer electronics and packaging to aerospace components.

• Automotive components – many vehicles and trucks use Aluminium body panels for lightness, ease of manufacture and corrosion resistance
• Consumer goods – Something that you may well use every day, Aluminium beverage cans, are made by stamping and forming processes that start with large sheets of Aluminium
• Construction and heavy industry – in situations that require a material that is relatively cheap, does not require finishing to look and remain presentable, and can help to reduce overall weight, Aluminium is used. This ranges from bracketry on construction vehicles, control panels or covers on machinery and more
• Roofing materials. Aluminium is used for various purposes in roofing and cladding, from a single covering material, to being used as a backing or sandwich material for insulated sheets. Its lightness makes both installation and transport easier, as well as truss loads lower.
• Heat exchangers. Aluminium’s excellent thermal conductivity means it’s perfect for use in heat-exchanging devices.