What are the strength classes of aluminum extrusion products?

Overview of strength grades for aluminum extrusion products

The strength grades of aluminum extrusion products depend mainly on the type of alloy and the heat treatment process, and common classifications include the following grades:

Low strength grades: 1xxx and 3xxx series

●Representative alloys: e.g. 1060 (pure aluminum) and 3003.

●Characteristics: Tensile strength of about 70-150 MPa, good flexibility and corrosion resistance, but lower strength.

●Applications: Suitable for low load scenarios such as architectural decoration (e.g. aluminum tube casings) or electronic heat sinks.

Medium strength grade: 6xxx series

●Representative alloys: e.g. 6061 and 6063.

●Characteristics: Tensile strength 150-310 MPa, both strength and workability, better performance after T6 heat treatment.

●Applications: Widely used in automotive frames, architectural curtain walls and seamless aluminum rods where balanced properties are required.

High strength grades: 2xxx and 7xxx series

●Representative alloys: e.g. 2024 and 7075.

●Characteristics: Tensile strength up to 400-570 MPa, high hardness for extreme conditions, strengthened by T6/T73 treatment.

●Applications: Aerospace components (e.g. extruded aluminum tubes) and military equipment for high load demands.

Factors affecting strength grade

Strength varies with alloy composition (e.g., copper, zinc additions) and heat treatment (e.g., T4, T6), with extrusion processes (e.g., seamless technology) further enhancing consistency and durability.

Professional Summary

Aluminum extrusions are available in strength grades ranging from low-strength (1xxx/3xxx, 70-150 MPa), medium-strength (6xxx, 150-310 MPa), and high-strength (2xxx/7xxx, 400-570 MPa) to meet a wide range of needs from construction to aerospace. 2025 lightweighting demand (7-8% annual growth) and aerospace growth drive high-strength Aluminum applications. With 70,000 tons of production capacity and seamless extrusion technology, Southwest Aluminum offers high-performance aluminum tubes and bars that fit the market trend and are the trusted choice of buyers.