1xxx Series – Commercially Pure Aluminum
Common Grades: EN AW-1050A, EN AW-1070A, EN AW-1200
Key Characteristics & Uses: Purity >99.5%, excellent formability, electrical/thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Commonly used in chemical equipment, cables, and reflectors where high strength is not required.
2xxx Series – Aluminum-Copper Alloys
Common Grades: EN AW-2024, EN AW-2011, EN AW-2017A
Key Characteristics & Uses: High strength but relatively poor corrosion resistance. 2024 is a classic high-fatigue-strength aerospace alloy. 2011 is known as a “free-machining alloy” with excellent machinability for precision parts.
3xxx Series – Aluminum-Manganese Alloys
Common Grades: EN AW-3003, EN AW-3103
Key Characteristics & Uses: Good rust resistance with strength superior to the 1xxx series. Often used in cookware, food industry containers, and heat exchangers.
5xxx Series – Aluminum-Magnesium Alloys (Non-Heat-Treatable)
Common Grades: EN AW-5083, EN AW-5754, EN AW-5052, EN AW-5454
Key Characteristics & Uses: Excellent corrosion resistance, particularly against seawater, moderate strength, and good weldability. Widely used in shipbuilding, automotive body panels (inner), and pressure vessels.
6xxx Series – Aluminum-Magnesium-Silicon Alloys (Heat-Treatable)
Common Grades: EN AW-6082, EN AW-6061, EN AW-6060, EN AW-6005A, EN AW-6016
Key Characteristics & Uses: Excellent overall performance (strength, weldability, corrosion resistance, workability). This is the most widely used series in Europe. 6082(slightly stronger than 6061) and 6061 are workhorses for general structures; 6060/6005A are common for architectural and industrial profiles; 6016 is the preferred sheet alloy for automotive outer body panels in Europe.
7xxx Series – Aluminum-Zinc-Magnesium-Copper Alloys
Common Grades: EN AW-7075, EN AW-7020
Key Characteristics & Uses: Highest strength of all series, but generally lower weldability and corrosion resistance. 7075 is common in aerospace and high-end sports equipment; 7020 finds applications in automotive bumpers and crash beams.
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