Systems for designating aluminum and aluminum alloys
that incorporate the product form (wrought, casting or foundry ingot),
and its respective temper (with the exception of foundry ingots,
which have no temper classification) are covered by
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard H35.1. ...
Aluminum, the second most plentiful metalic element on earth,
became economic competitive in engineering applications as
recently as the end of 19th century.
Historically, all major industrialized countries developed
their own standard designations for aluminum and aluminum alloys,
based on chemical symbols. These are now being grouped under
the systems of the American National Standards Institute, the
International Organization for Standarization and the Europian
Committee for Standardization.
Aluminum Association International Alloy Designation (H35.1)
Systems for designating aluminum and aluminum alloys that
incorporate the product form (wrought, casting or foundry ingot),
and its respective temper (with the exception of foundry ingots,
which have no temper classification) are covered by American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard H35.1.
The Aluminum Association designation system is defined according
to ANSI H35.1 with respect to the designation and composition of
aluminum alloys and tempers registered in the United States, and
is also harmonized through the international accord on the
composition and designation of registered wrought aluminum alloys.
For wrought aluminum and aluminum alloys only, compositions
may be registered with the Aluminum Association by a number
organizations. These organizations are signatories of a
Declaration of Accord on the Recommendation for an International
Designation System for Wrought Aluminum Alloys. In addition to
the United States, the countries represented by signatories are
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,
South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The European
Aluminum Association is also a signatory.
Wrought Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Designation System
A four-digit numerical designation system is used to identify
wrought aluminum and aluminum alloys. As shown below, the first
digit of the four-digit designation indicates the group:
Aluminum, l 99,00% 1xxx
Aluminum alloys grouped by major alloying elements:
Copper 2xxx
Manganese 3xxx
Silicon 4xxx
Magnesium 5xxx
Magnesium and silcon 6xxx
Zinc 7xxx
Other elements 8xxx
Unused series 9xxx
For the 2xxx through 7xxx series, the alloy group is determined
by the alloying element present in the greatest mean percentage.
In the 1xxx group, the series 10xx is used to designate
unalloyed compositions that have natural impurity limits.
The last two of the four digits in the designation indicate
the minimum aluminum percentage.
In the 2xxx through 8xxx alloy groups, the second digit in
the designation indicates alloy modification. If the second
digit is zero, it indicates the original alloy, integers 1
through 9, assigned consecutively, indicate modifications of
the original alloy.
The last two of the four digits in the 2xxx through 8xxx
groups have no special significanse, but serve only to
identify the different aluminum alloys in the group.
Cast Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Designation System
A system of four-digit numerical designations incorporating
a decimal point is used to identify aluminum and aluminum alloys
in the form of castings and foundry ingot. The first digit
indicates the alloy group:
Aluminum, >=
99,00% 1xx.x
Aluminum alloys grouped by major alloying elements:
Copper 2xx.x
Silicon, with added copper and or magnesium 3xx.x
Silicon 4xx.x
Magnesium 5xx.x
Zinc 7xx.x
Tin 8xx.x
Other elements 9xx.x
Unused series 6xx.x
For 2xx.x through 8xx.x alloys, the alloy group is determined
by the alloying element present in the greatest mean percentage
except in cases in which the composition being registered
qualifies as a modification of a previously registered alloy.
The second two digits identify the specific aluminum alloy or,
for the aluminum (1xx.x) series, indicate purity. The last digit,
which is separated from the others by a decimal point, indicates
the product form, whether casting or ingot.
International Organization for Standardization
The International Organization for Standardization has developed
its own alphanumeric (chemical symbols) designation for wrought
aluminum and its alloys, based on the systems that have been used
by certain European countries.
European Committee for Standardization
This committee of European Union members has developed a
composition standard based on the ISO standard, but is proposing
new designations not included in that standard. Some of these new
designations are already registered as German standards (DIN).
The proposed standard to also refers Aluminum Association
equivalents.