4 Advice to Choose a aluminum zinc silicon alloy steel sheet

Series

series alloys are chemically pure (99%+ aluminum) and are commonly available in wire and thin sheets.  This series has excellent corrosion resistance, workability, and high thermal and electrical conductivity.  , for example, is the go-to choice for high voltage transmission lines and other large-scale electrical products. 

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Series

series alloys are alloyed with copper, which allows the material to be precipitation hardened to strengths near those of steel.  This is, however, at the expense of corrosion resistance.  was once one of the most common high-strength aerospace alloys, but has been increasingly replaced by series materials which aren’t as susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking.

Series

Manganese is the alloying element in series aluminums.  This alloy has good corrosion resistance and strength, and also performs notably well in stamping applications.  This makes it the material of choice for beverage cans, grating, and many types of tubing.

Series

Silicon is used as the main alloying element in series alloys.  Silicon improves the fluidity of the material in its molten state which is helpful in products like welding wire and brazing rod. 

Series

series aluminum is alloyed mainly with magnesium and silicon, giving it superb corrosion resistance.  This is helpful in marine applications where the material is subjected to constant harsh conditions.   aluminum is widely known for being one of the easiest alloys to weld.  Combine that with the alloy’s excellent corrosion resistance and you have a perfect material for pressure vessels and ship hulls.

Series

The series materials are alloyed with magnesium and silicon.  They are easily machined, weldable, and heat treatable (though not to the same strengths as and series).  series alloys like and are extremely common in machining and architectural applications.  , for example, is available in almost any shape and size you could imagine including bar, plate, sheet, tube, channel and more. 

Series

Zinc is the primary alloying element in series alloys, but magnesium and copper are usually present as well.  These materials possess the highest strengths of any of the aluminum alloys.  is commonly used in aircraft landing gears and other parts requiring high strength to weight ratios.  is another common series alloy and is also heavily used in aerospace applications requiring stress-corrosion resistance. 

Temper and Age Conditions

Temper designations tell the material producer and consumer how an alloy has been mechanically and/or thermally modified to achieve certain properties.  The first letter designates the class of treatment, while the succeeding number(s) designate specific processes that have been applied to an alloy.

• F – as fabricated.  These are semi-finished products that have not yet been thermally modified. 

• O – annealed.  Materials with the O designations have been annealed, usually to maximize workability.

• H – strain hardened.  This is for non-heat-treatable alloys that have had their strength increased by stain hardening.  This process, of course, usually does not involve heat as is performed at room temperature.

• T – thermally treated.  This designation represents products that have gone through the entire tempering process.  These materials have been given a solution heat treatment followed by quenching and artificial aging.

• W – solution heat treated.  This designation usually represents an unfinished product.  Solution heat treating is the process by which a material is heated up and held at a certain temperature for a specified amount of time, and then rapidly cooled to “lock in” the properties of the heated material.  This process is usually followed by tempering and quenching.

Key Takeaways

For an engineer or part designer, series numbers are the most important topic to understand.  Temper and age conditions are somewhat set-in stone, and engineers typically don’t specify these in the design stage, except in very specific circumstances.  For example, if you would like a part to made from aluminum, it is likely going to be of the -T designation. Engineers should also understand the shapes and sizes alloys are available in. McMaster Carr is a good source for this information.

Choosing the correct alloy can have major impacts not only on the performance of your parts, but also on the cost.  If you need help selecting the right material for your parts, contact us or get a quote!

The wide variety of materials Xometry provides for sheet metal are listed below to facilitate the ease of selection. The most used sheet metal materials are aluminium alloys, stainless steel and other steels containing low, moderate and high carbon content as well as non-alloy steels.

Aluminium Alloys

Aluminium / 3. / AlMg2,5

It is an aluminium alloy with magnesium (Mg) as the primary alloying element. This alloy is strong, weldable and has good corrosion resistance. It has good workability and is readily weldable using MIG or TIG methods.

• Key features: High fatigue strength • Weldability • Resistant against corrosion • Good workability
• Applications: It is suitable for a wide variety of applications, including chemical, marine, food processing and general engineering applications as well
• See the datasheet

Aluminium / 3. / AlMg3

This material has very high mechanical properties when compared to other non-heat-treatable aluminium alloys. In addition, it comes with good resistance to atmospheric and seawater corrosion.

• Key features: Weldability • Corrosion resistance • Non-heat treatable • Suitable for marine applications
• Applications: The good weldability of this aluminium alloy makes it suitable for marine and offshore applications
• See the datasheet

Aluminium / 3. / AlMg4,5Mn

It is a medium strong alloy with high corrosion resistance. It has the highest strength of all the non-heat treatable alloys. Nevertheless, it is not recommended for use in temperatures above 65°C. It has excellent resistance to corrosion with good machinability. This aluminium can be welded using all standard methods but is not recommended for welding in the heat-affected zone of high-strength alloys.

• Key features: Moderate strength • Good machinability • Corrosion resistance • Excellent weldability
• Applications: It is widely used in sheet metal fabrications such as kitchen equipment, HVAC ductwork and light fittings
• See the datasheet

Aluminium / 3. / Al-MgSi

Aluminium belongs to Al-Mg-Si series -grade alloy with a low to moderate strength. It is commonly used to manufacture machined parts for various industries. It is a heat-treatable alloy with low strength and is very suitable for cold forming.

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• Key features: Low strength • Heat treatable • Good weldability • Good corrosion resistance
• Applications: It is applied in the production of lighting, flooring, furniture as well as other engineering applications where there is no special strength requirement
• See the datasheet

Aluminium / 3. / Al-Mg1SiCu

Aluminium is a precipitation-hardened aluminium alloy. It contains magnesium and silicon as its major alloying elements. It has good mechanical properties, exhibits good weldability, and is very commonly extruded.

• Key features: High strength • Good weldability • Corrosion resistance
• Applications: It is commonly used in forging applications. This high-strength alloy is very suitable for highly loaded structures such as rail coaches, scaffolds, machine and aerospace parts
• See the datasheet

Aluminium / 3. / Al-Si1Mg

Aluminium is made up of multiple elements, including Mg, Si, Fe, Mn and Cr which gives the alloy its unique set of properties. Typically formed by rolling and extrusion, this alloy has medium strength with very good weldability and thermal conductivity.

• Key features: Good thermal conductivity • Good weldability • High-stress corrosion cracking resistance
• Applications: It is heavily employed in offshore construction and containers
• See the datasheet

Aluminium / 3. / Al-Zn6MgCu

It is a zinc and magnesium alloyed aluminium with good strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking. It is also one of the lightest alloys in commercial production. This aluminium has high strength, toughness, and excellent resistance to fatigue. The surface can either be mill-finished or brush-finished.

• Key features: High strength • Tough • Resistant to fatigue • Excellent machinability
• Applications: It is extensively used in the structural parts for aircraft
• See the datasheet

Aluminium Alloys Mechanical Properties Comparison Chart

Stainless Steel Materials

Stainless Steel 304 / 1. / X5CrNi18.10

It is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel. The chromium in the alloy gives it excellent corrosion resistance. It has good machinability but low thermal conductivity and is easily formable. Due to its excellent resistance to corrosion, it is widely used in the food and beverage industry, as well as in many other industries.

• Key features: Excellent corrosion resistance • Low thermal conductivity • Good machinability
• Applications: It is widely used in the food and beverage industries, as well as in kitchen equipment such as tubes, pans and sinks
• See the datasheet

Stainless Steel 316L / 1. / X2CrNiMo17-12-2

It is an austenitic chromium-nickel alloy that contains nitrogen and molybdenum. This combination makes it durable and provides for multiple desirable properties. The addition of molybdenum improves corrosion resistance with good stability against chloric and non-oxidising acids. 

It has good heat resistance which reduces when subjected to continuous use above 425°C in water. It can be readily formed into different products.

• Key features: Good heat resistance • Corrosion resistance • High weldability
• Applications: It has good machinability and is used in food processing equipment, bolts, nuts, springs as well as boat fittings
• See the datasheet

Stainless Steel Alloys Technical Properties Comparison Chart

Steel Materials

Steel 1. / S235J2 / S235J2G4

This steel is manufactured from non-alloy quality hot rolled material. This material is highly used owing to its weldability and excellent strength properties. It is also available in a wide range of surface finishes, making it suitable for both internal and external applications.

• Key features: Good weldability and high strength • Excellent workability • Non-alloy
• Applications: It is mainly intended for use in construction and general engineering applications
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / S235JR

This is a hot-rolled pure structural steel with good plasticity, toughness, and weldability, it has a lower yield strength and can be formed into many products such as beams, angle bars, channels, plates, etc. Any steel with similar chemical and mechanical properties can be designated as S235JR material.

• Key features: Good plasticity • Good weldability • Tough
• Applications: Its excellent weldability makes it widely used in bridges, transmission towers, etc.
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / S235J2 / S235J2G4, pickled and oiled

It is a low carbon steel with good weldability and formability as well as excellent durability. The low carbon content makes it easier to weld. Additionally, the pickling and oiling help protect the material from rust and corrosion.

• Key features: Formability • Good weldability • Durable • Resistant to rust and corrosion
• Applications: Its most common applications include the automotive industry and construction industry
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / 25CrMo4

This grade of steel is specifically designed for use in the manufacture of components and parts that are subject to high levels of stress. This particular grade of steel is known for its exceptional strength and resilience, making it an ideal choice for use in applications where durability is key.

• Key features: Excellent strength and resilience • Highly durable
• Applications: It is widely used in the manufacture of gears, shafts, valves, and other highly stressed components
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / S275JR

Fe430B is an alloy of iron and carbon. The high carbon content makes the steel extremely hard, while the iron gives it ductility and malleability. This makes it an ideal material for a wide range of applications.

• Key features: Medium strength • High malleability and ductility
• Applications: It is widely used in the production of car bodies, pipes, and wires as well as in the construction industry for its strength and durability
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / C45

It is a medium carbon steel that has a carbon content between 0.42 and 0.50 wt. %. They are particularly well suited for parts that require high wear resistance and strength. It has low thermal conductivity and low ductility among wrought carbon steels.

• Key features: High tensile strength • Low ductility • Low thermal conductivity
• Applications: Gears, bearings, shafts, etc.
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / 100MnCrW4 / SKS3, annealed

Steel 100mncrw4 is a high-carbon steel that is known for its durability and resistance to wear. This steel is also easy to sharpen, making it a good choice for tools that will need to be regularly maintained. It is often used in blades and other cutting tools.

• Key features: Wear-resistant •Durable • High strength
• Applications: It is typically used in applications where high levels of wear resistance are required, such as in cutting tools for metal
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / X153CrMo12 / SKD11, annealed

This alloy is made up of carbon, manganese, chromium and molybdenum, whose combination gives the alloy its high strength and toughness. This steel is also resistant to wear and tear, making it a good choice for use in industrial settings.

• Key features: High strength • Durable •  Tough
• Applications: Industrial settings such as gauges, shear blades, blanking dies and slitting cutters
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / DC01

It is a non-alloy cold-rolled steel with very low carbon content which makes it ductile and easy to work with. It can be easily welded, brazed and soldered. It is not as strong as some other steel grades, so it is not suitable for use in applications where high levels of strength are required.

• Key features: Low-carbon content • Good weldability • Low strength • Ductile
• Applications: It is often used in the automotive industry and for making electronic components
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / 42CrMo4

It is a material delivered in pre-hardened condition, used to manufacture various types of plastic moulds, hot forging dies, and hot stamping dies for making cold work tool steels as well. This material has high strength, toughness, good resistance to impact and good hardenability.

• Key features: High strength • Tough• Hardenability • Resistance to impact
• Applications: It is widely used in the construction of machines, wheel and base plates, axles, gear shafts, as well as large plastic moulds
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / XC48H1 / C45E

It is a medium carbon steel with good strength and toughness with above average hardenability and is suitable for applications requiring low to moderate wear resistance. The steel is suitable for case hardening and can be surface hardened by carburising, cyaniding or nitriding. It can be machined in all states, either annealed or normalised, and is readily weldable.

• Key features: Good resistance against wear • High strength • Excellent machinability 
• Applications: It is widely used in industrial products such as nuts, bolts, gearings, bearings, wheel forging etc.
• See the datasheet

Steel 1. / S355J2G3

This steel is composed of different chemical elements that give it specific properties. For instance, steel st52 is known for its high strength and durability. It is also resistant to corrosion and can be easily welded. These properties make it an ideal choice for many applications. This unalloyed structural steel has a tensile strength of 630 MPa. 

Compared to other carbon steels, it has high electrical conductivity but low thermal conductivity and low ductility.

• Key features: High tensile strength • Low thermal conductivity • Good weldability • Low ductility
• Applications: It is widely used in engineering and construction industries
• See the datasheet

Steel Materials Mechanical Properties Comparison Chart

Source Your Sheet Metal Parts at Xometry

Selecting a suitable material is often a very tedious process. Xometry offers a wide range of materials which different mechanical properties to suit all kinds of sheet metal projects. Upload your files to Xometry Instant Quoting Engine to get a quote in a matter of seconds, and select various materials to see how it affects the price.

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