Aluminum alloy selection for fabricated parts hinges on three decisions made up front: which 4-digit series (1xxx through 7xxx) fits the strength/corrosion budget, which temper (O, H, T) fixes the final mechanical state, and which product form (sheet, plate, extrusion) the geometry demands. Haomei Aluminum's commercial guide frames the H14 temper — a strain-hardened, partially annealed state with about half the hardness of H18 — as a common compromise between deep-draw formability and dent resistance [S1].
Mingtai and ADI Metal both position 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx series as the workhorses of distributor stock, with 5xxx (Al-Mg) and 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) dominating architectural, marine and automotive sheet orders [S4][S5]. The reference page on aluminum alloy families and designations consolidates the naming convention and the typical density of 2.70-2.81 g/cm³ that drives mass savings against steel at roughly a 2.9× weight reduction per equal volume.
Series Selection: Matching Alloy Family to Strength and Corrosion Budget
Aluminum alloys split cleanly into two performance branches: heat-treatable (2xxx Cu, 6xxx Mg-Si, 7xxx Zn-Mg-Cu) for higher peak strength, and non-heat-treatable (1xxx, 3xxx Mn, 5xxx Mg, 4xxx Si) where strain hardening alone sets the strength ceiling [S4]. Haomei's product copy places 5xxx and 6xxx as the default for architectural and marine service, and recommends 6061-T6 where weldability plus a yield around 276 MPa (40 ksi) is required [S1][S2].
For automotive body-in-white, Mingtai cites 5182 (Al-4.5Mg-Mn) and 5754 as the dominant closure-panel grades, and AA6016/AA6111 for outer panels requiring bake-hardening response [S2]. Springer research on AA5182 hot tearing documents that magnesium content in the 4-5% range is the controlling variable for casting cracking susceptibility under the RDG (Rappaz-Drezet-Gremaud) criterion, with cracking tendency rising steeply above ~4.5% Mg at constrained solidification rates [S3]. For readers balancing aluminum alloy families against forming and joining limits, the HVAC coil/fins/frames write-up maps a parallel decision tree at Best Aluminum Alloy for HVAC.
Temper Codes: What O, H and T Designations Actually Lock In
The H1x strain-hardened states (H14, H16, H18) raise strength by cold work alone; H2x adds partial annealing after hardening, and H3x stabilizes the structure for elevated-temperature service [S1]. H14 sits at roughly half the H18 tensile envelope, which is why Haomei presents it as a balanced choice for formed panels needing dent resistance without the springback of full-hard stock [S1].
T-tempers (T4, T5, T6, T7) require solution heat treatment and quenching, with T6 adding artificial aging to peak strength. Mingtai's product reference lists T6 as the standard temper for 6061 and 6082 structural extrusions, with T5 used for thinner profiles cooled directly from the press [S4]. Distributors handling marine hardware lean on 5083-H116 and 5083-H321 — H116/H321 being specialized strain-hardened, stabilized tempers that retain baseline corrosion resistance after cold work [S5].
Product Form vs Geometry: Sheet, Plate, Extrusion, Casting
Sheet (typically 0.2-6 mm) and plate (≥6 mm up to ~200 mm in some mill lines) cover the bulk of fabricated enclosures, while extrusions win for constant-cross-section profiles and die castings for complex 3D geometry [S4]. ADI Metal's marine and industrial book lists 5052 and 5083 plate as primary hull and superstructure grades, with 6061 plate for structural brackets and 1100/3003 sheet for fabrications where formability dominates strength requirements [S5].
For longer or branched profiles, the specifier pivots to extrusions and reviews the related trade-off: 6063 extrusions optimize surface finish and anodizing response for architectural trim such as aluminum window and door profiles, while 6061 trades some surface quality for higher strength and better machinability [S1][S4]. The Hanldle (拉/推) hardware described in the Sogou encyclopedia entry is a typical small-extrusion + cut + drill + anodize flow, mirroring the fabrication path most architectural hardware still follows. The decision matrix between sheet and cast parts overlaps with the casting-alloy discussion in Magnesium Die Casting Machine Buying Guide, which treats tonnage, shot weight and alloy envelope as the binding spec drivers.
Corrosion, Welding and Surface Treatment Constraints
Corrosion performance ranks by series: 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx all carry good-to-excellent general corrosion ratings, while 2xxx and 7xxx need protection in aggressive atmospheres [S4][S5]. The 2024-T3 surface-treatment study on AA2024-T3 confirms that chromate conversion coatings (Alodine 1200S) remain a baseline reference for aerospace prep, with multiple pretreatments evaluated for adhesion and corrosion resistance on this alloy [S6].
Weldability is the second binding filter: 5xxx and 6xxx are readily weldable by GMAW/GTAW, while 2xxx and 7xxx are generally avoided in welded structures because of HAZ (heat-affected zone) softening and stress-corrosion risk [S2][S4]. For surface-critical parts, Mingtai and ADI both stock anodizing-grade variants (commonly 5005, 6063) where decorative and architectural anodize response is specified [S4][S5].
Sourcing Signals: Mill, Temper Availability and Stock Forms
Distributor stock typically mirrors mill run-out, so the most economical tempers are H14/H16/H18 (1xxx/3xxx/5xxx sheet), O (annealed for deep draw), and T6 (6xxx extrusions and plate) [S1][S4]. Lead time and minimum order quantity usually stretch when specifiers need a non-stock temper (T7 overaged, T451 stress-relieved) or a tight-tolerance plate thickness outside standard mill edge [S5].
ADI Metal's positioning as a certified WBE (woman-owned business enterprise) supplier illustrates the federal/marine sourcing channel that many industrial buyers use for AMS-QQ-A-250 spec plate and extrusions [S5]. Mingtai, supplying since 1997, advertises a broad alloy range from 1xxx to 8xxx plus laminating and coating lines for architectural panels [S4]. For projects that pair alloy selection with downstream casting or forming equipment, the Zinc Die Casting Machine Buying Guide and Squeeze Casting vs Hot Chamber Die Casting round out the forming-process trade-offs.
Selection Criteria Comparison: 1xxx/3xxx vs 5xxx vs 6xxx vs 2xxx/7xxx
Decision criteria, distilled from the supplier references, line up as follows: (1) Formability — 1xxx O and 3xxx H14 lead, with 5xxx H32/H34 close behind; 6xxx-T6 and 7xxx-T6 are poor choices for deep drawing. (2) Weldability — 5xxx and 6xxx win, 1xxx/3xxx adequate, 2xxx and 7xxx restricted. (3) Peak strength — 7075-T6 near 503 MPa (73 ksi) UTS, 6061-T6 around 310 MPa (45 ksi) UTS, 5052-H32 about 230 MPa (33 ksi) UTS, 1100-O about 90 MPa (13 ksi) UTS [S1][S2][S4]. (4) Marine corrosion — 5xxx H116/H321 and 6xxx are the safe defaults; 2xxx/7xxx typically need cladding or coating [S4][S5].
For HVAC coil and fin stock the field narrows further toward 3003, 3105 and 5052; the HVAC alloy write-up walks that branch in detail. For envelope and cladding panels, the comparison pairs with the Suspended Ceiling vs Aluminum Veneer Panel selection tree.
Standards, Verification and Reject Modes
Specifiers should pin the call-out to the appropriate ASTM/SAE sheet and plate specification for the series (ASTM B209 for sheet/plate, ASTM B221 for extrusions, ASTM B85 for castings) and the AMS aerospace equivalents where applicable. Verification usually includes mill test reports for chemistry and tensile per lot, plus a temper-acceptance test (hardness or conductivity) for incoming inspection. Common reject modes in service are galvanic corrosion at steel or copper contact points, HAZ softening in welded 6xxx/7xxx joints, and stress-corrosion cracking in 2xxx/7xxx when stored damp under load [S2][S4][S6].
Trackable signals to watch: (1) 5xxx plate pricing and mill lead times through late 2026, since 5083 remains the marine and pressure-vessel baseline [S5]; (2) any tightening of conversion-coating regulations for aerospace prep, given the AA2024-T3 chromate baseline still cited in published surface-treatment work [S6]; (3) growth in 6xxx automotive sheet (AA6016, AA6111) as body-in-white tonnage expands [S2].
For component-level specifications, see linear guide.