Choose Aluminum Plate in 1 Minute ！

The core logic for aluminum plate purchasing is:Determine application → Select alloy & temper → Confirm specifications & surface finish → Inspect by standardNot “the more expensive the better”.This guide is based on GB/T 3880-2012 and ASTM B209, covering architecture, industry, electronics, marine and other high-frequency scenarios, providing parameter comparisons, selection formulas and inspection details to solve 90% of your problems.

Case Details

1. Basics: Classification & Selection Priority

1.1 Alloy Series (Determines Core Performance)

The most commonly used series are 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx.

2xxx & 7xxx are mainly for aerospace, rarely used in general industry.

Alloy Series	Main Elements	Heat Treatment	Key Properties	Typical Grades	Priority Applications
1xxx (Pure Al)	Al ≥99.0%	Non-heat-treatable	High conductivity/thermal conductivity, corrosion resistant, soft, formable	1050A, 1060, 1100	Heat dissipation/conductivity → interior decoration → chemical lining
3xxx (Al-Mn)	Mn	Non-heat-treatable	Anti-rust, medium strength, excellent weldability	3003, 3004	Humid buildings → kitchenware → tanks
5xxx (Al-Mg)	Mg	Non-heat-treatable	Seawater corrosion resistant, high strength, excellent weldability	5052, 5083, 5754	Marine → automotive → pressure vessels
6xxx (Al-Mg-Si)	Mg+Si	Heat-treatable (T4/T5/T6)	Balanced strength & formability, good anodizing	6061, 6063, 6082	Structural parts → curtain walls → precision equipment
2xxx (Al-Cu)	Cu	Heat-treatable	Ultra-high strength, poor corrosion resistance	2024	Aerospace (not general)
7xxx (Al-Zn)	Zn+Mg+Cu	Heat-treatable	Ultra-high strength, poor corrosion resistance	7075	Aerospace/sports equipment (not general)

1.2 Tempers (Determine Mechanical Properties)

Strength can differ by over 50% with the same grade but different tempers.

Temper	Meaning	Features	Suitable Grades	Typical Uses
O	Annealed (soft)	Best plasticity, easy bending & deep drawing	1060, 3003, 5052	Signs, deep drawing parts, kitchenware
H112	Hot rolled	Medium strength, fair machinability	5083, 6082	Thick plates, welded structures
T4	Solution + natural aging	Medium strength, good plasticity	6061	Bendable structural parts
T5	Extrusion + artificial aging	High strength, good surface finish	6063	Curtain walls, decorative profiles
T6	Solution + artificial aging	Highest strength & hardness	6061, 2024	Load-bearing structures, machinery parts

1.3 Selection Priority Formula

Corrosion resistance → Mechanical strength → Formability → Weldability → Surface finish → Cost

Coastal/chemical environment: 5xxx (5052/5083) → 3xxx → PVDF-coated 6xxx
Load-bearing structures: 6061-T6 → 6082-T6 → 5083-H112
Interior decoration: 1060-O → 3003-O → 6063-T5
Heat/conductivity: 1060 → 1050A → 1100

2. Detailed Parameters & Applications (Core Purchasing Tables)

2.1 1xxx Pure Aluminum Series

Grade	Al Content	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Elongation	Density (g/cm³)	Advantages	Typical Applications	Thickness
1060	≥99.6%	90–120	30–50	≥25%	2.71	Low cost, excellent thermal conductivity	Heat sinks, signs, kitchenware	0.3–10mm
1050A	≥99.5%	85–115	25–45	≥27%	2.71	High conductivity	Busbars, reflectors	0.1–5mm
1100	≥99.0%	95–125	35–55	≥22%	2.71	Slightly higher strength	Chemical tanks, deep drawing parts	0.5–15mm

2.2 Anti-Rust Aluminum (3xxx / 5xxx)

Grade	Alloy	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Elongation	Corrosion Resistance	Weldability	Applications	Thickness
3003	Mn 1.2%	110–150	40–70	≥20%	Excellent (atmosphere)	Excellent	Roofs, ceilings, kitchenware	0.5–20mm
5052	Mg 2.5%	170–240	80–160	≥15%	Excellent (seawater)	Excellent	Coastal curtain walls, marine	0.8–50mm
5083	Mg 4.5%	270–350	140–220	≥12%	Excellent	Excellent	Marine platforms, pressure vessels	2.0–100mm

2.3 Structural Aluminum (6xxx)

Grade	Temper	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Elongation	Anodizing	Applications	Thickness
6061	T6	≥290	≥240	≥8%	Good	Machinery, structural parts	1.0–200mm
6061	T4	180–220	110–140	≥15%	Good	Bendable frames	1.0–50mm
6063	T5	≥160	≥110	≥10%	Excellent	Curtain walls, profiles	3.0–25mm

2.4 Tread Plate (Diamond Plate)

Base materials: 1060 (economy), 3003 (anti-rust), 5052 (high strength)
Patterns: Diamond (best anti-slip), 5-bar, pointer
Thickness: 1.5–8.0mm, common 3.0–5.0mm
Weight: Base weight × 1.03–1.05

3. Specifications & Weight Calculation

3.1 Standard Sizes

Thickness: Thin (0.3–2.0mm), Medium (2.0–10.0mm), Thick (10.0–200mm)
Width: 1000, 1220, 1500, 2000mm
Length: 2000, 2440, 3000, 6000mm
Tolerance: GB/T 3880.3

3.2 Weight Formula (Density = 2.7 g/cm³)

Flat plate: Weight (kg) = Thickness(mm) × Width(m) × Length(m) × 2.7
Tread plate: Weight × (1.03–1.05)
Coil: Weight = Thickness(mm) × Width(m) × Length(m) × 2.7

4. Surface Finishes

Finish	Thickness (μm)	Advantages	Weather	Corrosion	Cost	Applications
Mill finish	—	Low cost, easy fabrication	Poor	Poor	★★★★★	Internal parts
Anodizing	5–20	Wear-resistant, insulating	Medium	Good	★★★★	Electronics, decoration
Powder coating	60–120	Rich colors	Good	Good	★★★	Interior curtain walls
PVDF coating	20–30	Super weather, UV-resistant	Excellent	Excellent	★★	Coastal curtain walls
Brushed	—	Fingerprint-resistant	Medium	Good	★★★★	Appliances
Mirror polish	—	High reflection	Poor	Medium	★★	High-end decoration

5. Application-Based Selection

5.1 Construction & Decoration

Application	Grade + Temper	Thickness	Surface
Coastal curtain wall	5052-O/H112	2.5–3.0mm	PVDF
Inland curtain wall	6063-T5	2.0–2.5mm	Powder/anodize
Interior ceiling	1060-O/3003-O	0.8–1.5mm	Powder/brushed
Decorative profiles	6063-T5	3.0–5.0mm	Anodize

5.2 Industrial & Machinery

Application	Grade + Temper	Thickness	Surface
Equipment housing	5052-O/6061-T4	1.0–3.0mm	Anodize/powder
Structural parts	6061-T6	5.0–20mm	Mill/anodize
Chemical lining	1060-O/1100-O	2.0–5.0mm	Mill
Anti-slip floor	5052 tread plate	2.5–5.0mm	Mill

5.3 Electronics & Electrical

Application	Grade + Temper	Thickness	Surface
Heat sink	1060-O	0.5–2.0mm	Mill
Precision housing	6061-T6	1.0–2.0mm	Anodize
Conductive parts	1060-O	0.3–1.0mm	Mill

5.4 Marine & Transportation

Application	Grade + Temper	Thickness	Surface
Marine deck	5052/5083 tread plate	3.0–8.0mm	Anodize/PVDF
Automotive body	5754-O/5052-O	0.8–1.5mm	Powder

6. Inspection & Quality Control

Required Documents

Mill Test Certificate (MTC)
Coating thickness & adhesion report
Third-party test report (spectrometer, tensile test)

Inspection Items

Surface: No scratches, dents, color difference
Dimensions: Thickness, width, length, diagonal tolerance
Mechanical properties: Tensile & yield strength
Coating: Thickness, cross-cut test (adhesion)

Common Pitfalls

Under-thickness material
Fake alloy grades (use spectrometer)
Fake tempers (T4 vs T6)
Insufficient coating thickness

7. Summary & Purchasing Template

Core Summary

Grade = application, Temper = strength, Surface = service life
Most popular: 1060-O, 3003-O, 5052-H112, 6061-T6, 6063-T5
Inspection: Documents + actual measurement + performance verification

Standard Purchase List

Item	Grade	Temper	Thickness	Width	Length	Surface	Qty	Standard
1	6061	T6	5.0mm	1500mm	3000mm	Mill	50 pcs	GB/T 3880
2	5052	H112	3.0mm	1220mm	2440mm	PVDF	10 tons	ASTM B209
3	1060	O	0.8mm	1000mm	2000mm	Brushed	200 pcs	GB/T 3880

6061 vs 6063 aluminum: How to choose?