Aluminum Rod / Bar

• Introduction to Aluminum Rod / Bar
• Descriptions of Individual Aluminum Rod / Bar Alloys
• Aluminum Bar Sizes

Introduction to Aluminum Rod / Bar 

Aluminum rod/bar is offered in many alloys and tempers including (to name a few):

Descriptions of Individual Aluminum Rod / Bar Alloys

2011

This free machining alloy compares favorably with free cutting brass.  It is the most suitable

2014

One of the strongest o heat treatable alloys used in heavy duty applications.  Machinability is good to excellent when high rakes and clearances, adequate coolant, sharp tools, fast speeds, and light to medium cuts and feeds are employed.  Machined surfaces are very smooth.  Weldability is good with arc and resistance methods.  Corrosion resistance is fair.  This is the most widely used forging alloy. 

2017

Like 2011, this is also a general-purpose alloy for automatic screw machine work.  It is stronger than 2011, but harder to machine and does not have the fine chip associated with 2011.  It is recommended for heavy-duty parts because of its high strength.  Workability is fair, with ductility anf formability considered better than 2014.  Arc and resistance weldability are satisfactory.  Corrosion resistance is fair.  It is used for rivets, fasteners, and aircraft components.

2024

Know as the aircraft alloy, it was the first Al-Cu-Mg alloy to have a yield strength approaching 50,000-psi and generally replaced 2017-T4 (Duralumin) as the predominant 2XXX series aircraft alloy. With its relatively good fatigue resistance, especially in thick plate forms, alloy 2024 continues to be specified for many aerospace structural applications. It is considered as the "aircraft" alloy because of its strength.  Good machinability but only fair corrosion resistance.  Heat treatable.  Not recommended for brazing or soldering.  Good workability.  Good appearance. 

*Note: Value maximum if range not shown.

2219

Controlled availability.  Welded structures at high temperature (up to 600F).  2219 is an age-hardenable copper containing alloy of aluminum. It is noted for applications at elevated temperatures.  Heat treatable.

Machinability
In the annealed condition this alloy is readily machined. It is more difficult to machine in any of the heat-treated conditions, which is the condition in which most machining is actually done. Use of oil base lubrication is advised for all machining operations.

Forming The alloy may be readily formed by conventional methods. However there are precautions in regard to hot forming - see "Hot Working".

Welding
Welding heat input affects the corrosion resistance of this alloy in an adverse manner. Thus any welding should be followed by a repeat heat treatment to restore corrosion resistance. Resistance welding and inert gas welding may be used with precautions to avoid strain cracking upon cooling. Alloy 2319 is best for a filler rod.

Heat Treatment
Solution heat treatment is done at 1000 F followed by a cold-water quench (T4 condition).

Forging
Hot forging may be done providing the finished product is given the aging heat treatment to restore corrosion resistance.

Hot Working
Hot working should be avoided unless it is feasible to give the finished product the aging heat treatment after all hot working is done. Otherwise the corrosion resistance will be adversely affected.

Cold Working
Cold working by conventional means is readily accomplished.

Annealing Solution
Annealing is done at 1000 F for adequate time to allow thorough heating, followed by a cold-water quench.

Aging
The alloy is aged at 375 F, after first doing the solution anneal at 1000 F and water quench, for varying time. For product forms such as forgings the 375 F aging is for 18 hours and for sheet, or plate (up to 2" thick) it is 375 F for 36 hours followed by air-cooling in each instance.

Tempering
Not applicable to this alloy.

Hardening
This alloy is hardened (strengthened) by an aging heat treatment or by controlled cold working from the solution annealed condition. See "Heat Treatment" and "Aging".

Other Physical Properties
Electrical conductivity 30% that of copper.

Applications
Commonly used in the manufacture of structural components used in high temperature applications as well as high strength weldments.

3003

Approx. 20% higher strength than the 1100 series, but retaining an excellent workability rating.  May show some slight discoloration when anodized, but reacts well to mechanical and organic finishings.  3003 is easily welded and brazed, but solder is limited to the torch method.  Like 1100, tends to be “gummy” when machined.  Non-heat treatable.  Typical applications include food and chemical equipment, appliance components, truck and trailer roofing, heat exchangers, and lawn furniture  components.

5083

With excellent corrosion resistance and weldability, together with high strength, this alloy was designed for welded structures requiring maximum joint strength and efficiency.  Can be anodized for increased corrosion resistance, but does not lend itself to decorative applications.  Not meant to be a machining alloy, but can be machined fairly well with proper preparations.  Because of its relatively high magnesium content, the workability rating would only be fair.  Non-heat treatable.  Typical applications include large marine craft, containers, railroad cars, structurals and elevator cars.

5086

Sister alloy to 5083 with comparable characteristics but slightly less strength.  Non-heat treatable.

6061

This is the most versatile of the heat treatable aluminum alloys. It has most of the good qualities of aluminum, and it offers a wide range of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. It can be fabricated by many of the commonly used techniques.  In the T4 condition, fairly severe forming operations may be accomplished. The T6 properties may be obtained by artificial aging. It is welded by all methods and can be furnace brazed.  Heat treatable.

• Applications: This grade is used for a wide variety of products and applications from truck bodies and frames to screw machine parts and structural components. Alclad 6061 is used where appearance and better corrosion resistance with good strength are required.
• Size Range: .016" - .190" (.4 mm - 5 mm)
• Min 90 Cold-Bend: 0 1/2-11/2T 1-2T
• Weldability: Yes

7050

Alloy 7050 is the premier choice for aerospace applications requiring the best combination of strength, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance and toughness.  Alloy 7050 exhibits better toughness/corrosion resistance characteristics than alloy 7075. Because it is less quench sensitive than most aerospace aluminum alloys, 7050 retains its strength properties in thicker sections while maintaining good stress corrosion cracking resistance and fracture toughness levels.  Heat treatable

7075/7175

Alloy 7075 has been the standard workhorse 7XXX series alloy within the aerospace industry ever since. It was the first successful Al-Zn-Mg-Cu high strength alloy using the beneficial effects of the alloying addition of chromium to develop good stress-corrosion cracking resistance in sheet products. Although other 7XXX alloys have since been developed with improved specific properties, alloy 7075 remains the baseline with a good balance of properties required for aerospace applications.  7175 is more pure, however, it may not be suitable for all fracture toughness applications.  This heat treatable alloy is considered high in strength.  Corrosion resistance and machinability is fair.  Rated low on workability and welded only by the resistance process.  Heat treatable.

7150

Alloy 7150 is the highest strength aluminum plate alloy/temper currently available for commercial aircraft applications. A controlled toughness alloy with guaranteed levels of fracture toughness, this alloy is a potential replacement for 7075-T651 since it provides 6 to 10 ksi (41.4 to 68.9 MPa) higher strength levels. Alloy 7150 is a second-generation version of alloy 7050, developed specifically for peak strength properties in 0.75 to 1.5 inch (19.1 to 38.1mm) thick plate.  This heat treatable alloy is considered the highest in strength.  Corrosion resistance and machinability is fair.  Rated low on workability and welded only by the resistance process.  Heat treatable.

Alloy 7150-T6151 is recommended for applications, which can take advantage of its high tensile/ compressive properties where exfoliation and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) requirements are similar to 7075-T651.

This heat treatable alloy is considered the highest in strength.  Corrosion resistance and machinability is fair.  Rated low on workability and welded only by the resistance process.

Aluminum Bar Sizes

Aluminum bar sizes start at around 1/8”.  Generally speaking, these alloys are available in a combination of sizes and shapes including round bar, square bar, flat bar, and hex bar.  These alloys meet various specifications including: