FCC Al matrix
Face-centred cubicDuctile, no ductile-to-brittle transition like BCC steels.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength62
Heat resistance48
Fire performance70
Insulation12
Workability90
Circularity72
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Quick answers
Aluminium or aluminum?
Same metal. IUPAC aluminium; US spelling aluminum. Specs use either.
Why is it light but not “weak”?
Specific strength of 7075 can beat mild steel; stiffness per volume still loses to steel.
Does it burn?
Bulk metal melts in fire; powders and some façade cores are the combustible stories.
Is it a good insulator?
No. It is a heat spreader. Foil radiant barriers reflect radiation; they are not bulk λ insulation.
Why do cans recycle so well?
Single alloy family, magnetic-free sort, huge volume, remelt energy is low.
Can I weld 7075?
Generally a bad idea for strength; designers rivet, bond or use 2000/5000 weldables instead.
heat 48 · fire 70
What holds Aluminium together is not the nickname. Formula Al (+ Mg, Si, Cu, Zn…), density 2.70 g/cm³.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
GP zones
Cu clusteringThe first hardening step in 2000-series ageing.
Mg2Si
6000-series precipitateThe extrusion family’s strength after T5/T6.
S / θ phases
Al2Cu, Al2CuMgOverageing coarsens them and drops strength.
Dispersoids
Mn, Cr, ZrControl grain structure during hot working.
Oxide film
Al2O3Nanometre passive film; the reason aluminium “does not rust” until chlorides pit it.
Relative meters
Strength62
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope48
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour70
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation12
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability90
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity72
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
1050 / 1100
Commercially pureCommercially pure
3003 / 3004
Mn-bearingMn-bearing
5052 / 5083
Mg marineMg marine
6061 / 6063
Mg-Si extrusionMg-Si extrusion
7075
Zn-Mg-Cu aeroZn-Mg-Cu aero
Bonds
Metallic FCC
Twelve slip systems: easy forming compared with HCP titanium or magnesium.
Precipitation
Coherent precipitates block dislocations after controlled ageing.
Passive oxide
Amphoteric film — acids and strong alkalis both attack it.
Galvanic couples
Aluminium is anodic to steel and copper; isolation washers exist for a reason.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
Keep exploring
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