Aluminum — 5052 · 6061 · 3003 · 7075

// Alloy Comparison

Pick the Right Aluminum

Each aluminum alloy has unique strength, formability, and finishing trade-offs. Compare them side-by-side to find the right alloy for your application.

Wrought · H32 Temper

$$$$$

5052-H32 Aluminum

The go-to alloy for sheet metal. Outstanding formability and corrosion resistance.

Pros

✓Best formability of all aluminum alloys

✓Excellent corrosion resistance — marine-grade without Mo

✓Anodizes beautifully — clear or color

✓Widest thickness range at Xeon NC

Cons

✗Cannot be heat treated for additional strength

✗Lower strength than 6061

Density

2.68 g/cm³

Tensile

33 ksi

Finish

Mill

Weldable

Yes

Wrought · T6 Temper

$$$$$

6061-T6 Aluminum

Structural aluminum with excellent machinability. Higher strength for brackets and chassis.

Pros

✓Highest strength of stocked aluminum alloys

✓Excellent machinability — threads hold well

✓Heat treatable for additional strength

✓Good corrosion resistance with anodizing

Cons

✗Work-hardens — not ideal for tight bends

✗Requires re-temper process after welding

Density

2.70 g/cm³

Tensile

45 ksi

Finish

Mill

Weldable

Yes (re-temper)

Wrought · H14 Temper · Budget

$$$$$

3003-H14 Aluminum

General-purpose aluminum. Great for covers, guards, and decorative panels.

Pros

✓Most economical stocked aluminum

✓Excellent workability and deep formability

✓Good corrosion resistance for indoor use

✓Easily welded and brazed

Cons

✗Lowest strength — not for structural use

✗Cannot be heat treated

Density

2.73 g/cm³

Tensile

22 ksi

Finish

Mill

Weldable

Yes

Wrought · T6 Temper · Aerospace

$$$$$

7075-T6 Aluminum

Yields the highest strength of any aluminum grade. Ideal for aerospace, military, and highly stressed parts.

Pros

✓Extremely high strength-to-weight ratio (matches some steels)

✓Excellent machinability

✓High fatigue strength

Cons

✗Generally considered unweldable for most applications

✗Lower corrosion resistance than 5052 or 6061

✗Very poor formability (bends will crack)

Density

2.81 g/cm³

Tensile

83 ksi

Finish

Mill

Weldable

// Stock Availability

Thickness & Gauge Options

All aluminum sheet is stocked in 48″ × 96″ full sheets. Laser cutting tolerance is ±0.005″ on all gauges.

5052-H32

6061-T6

3003-H14

7075-T6

Gauge	Thickness	Decimal (in)	Metric (mm)	Sheet Size	Stock

💡 Click any row for full specs, bend limits, and laser tolerances.

Gauge Position — Thin to Thick

Material

Thickness
Thickness Tolerance i
Material
Type
Alloy
Finish i
Protective Film

Post Operations

Design Rules

Max Part Size i
Min Part Size
Min Recommended Hole i
Min Hole Size (absolute)
Min Channel Width i
Min Wall Thickness i
Max Aspect Ratio i
Kerf (Laser Cut Width) i
Cut Tolerance	±0.005"
Assist Gas i	O₂ / Air (Oxygen assist)

Common Applications

Material Photos

Aluminum · Laser Cut Part · Mill Finish XEON NC SHOP PHOTO

Stock Availability

Sheet size: 48″ × 96″ · Lead time: 3–5 business days

Material Properties

* Properties not guaranteed. For reference comparison only — not for design-critical specifications.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate) i
Tensile Strength (Yield) i
Shear Strength i
Shear Modulus i
Fatigue Strength i
Brinell Hardness i
Elongation at Break i
Elastic Modulus i
Poisson's Ratio i
Density

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// Material Science

5052-H32 Aluminum Properties

Mechanical, thermal, and physical characteristics. Data reflects H32 temper condition per ASTM B209.

Tensile Strength

ksi (214 MPa)

Yield Strength

ksi (159 MPa)

Elongation

11%

in 2 inches

Hardness

Brinell HB

Density

2.68

g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³)

Melting Point

1,190

°F (643 °C)

Thermal Conductivity

BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Use Temp

212

°F (100°C) continuous

Grade Comparison

// Fabrication Services

Available for Aluminum

Every secondary service we offer is compatible with aluminum. Anodizing is uniquely available for aluminum alloys.

⚡

Fiber Laser Cutting

High-speed precision cutting on our TRUMPF fiber laser with Oxygen or air assist for clean aluminum cuts.

↗

CNC Bending

Precision press brake forming up to 1/8″ stainless. Tight radii available on thin gauges.

⊙

Countersinking

82° and 90° countersinks for flush-mount fastener hardware.

◎

Tapping

Thread holes directly into the sheet for blind or through-hole hardware attachment.

▣

Hardware Insertion

PEM press-fit nuts, studs, and standoffs pressed into the sheet during fabrication.

◆

Deburring

Edge smoothing to remove sharp burrs left from the laser cutting process.

🎨

Powder Coating

Electrostatically applied powder coat in 10+ colors. Stainless requires primer for adhesion.

✦

Anodizing

Clear and color anodizing available. Creates a durable, corrosion-resistant oxide layer integral to the aluminum surface.

// Metallurgy

Chemical Composition

Aluminum alloys are defined by their alloying elements — Magnesium, Silicon, Zinc, Copper, and Manganese. These additions each target specific performance goals: formability, strength, machinability, or corrosion resistance.

Alloying Elements by Grade (% Weight, nominal)

Aluminum (Al) Base

Magnesium (Mg)

Silicon (Si)

Zinc (Zn)

Copper (Cu)

Manganese (Mn)

5052 — Magnesium drives corrosion resistance. The 2.5% Mg content (no copper, no zinc) gives 5052 outstanding marine-grade resistance and the widest safe bending range of all structural alloys.

6061 — Mg+Si combine for heat treatability. The Mg₂Si (magnesium silicide) precipitate formed during T6 heat treatment is what gives 6061 its superior strength and machinability compared to other alloys.

7075 — Zinc + Copper = aerospace strength. 7075's high Zn (5.6%) and Cu (1.6%) content enable the highest tensile strength of any common aluminum alloy — nearly matching mild steel — but at the cost of corrosion resistance and weldability.

3003 — Manganese for deep formability. The 1.2% Mn addition to a nearly pure aluminum base gives 3003 the softest, most workable character in the lineup — ideal for tanks, HVAC, and deep-drawn shapes.

Element	5052-H32	6061-T6	3003-H14	7075-T6	Role
Aluminum Al — Base	Bal.	Bal.	Bal.	Bal.	Matrix & base metal
Magnesium Mg — Corrosion / Strength	2.2–2.8%	0.8–1.2%	None	None	Corrosion resistance, work hardening, formability
Silicon Si — Heat Treat	≤ 0.25%	0.4–0.8%	≤ 0.6%	≤ 0.4%	Forms Mg₂Si precipitate — enables T6 heat treatment
Zinc Zn — Ultra-Strength	≤ 0.10%	≤ 0.25%	≤ 0.10%	5.1–6.1%	Primary strengthener in 7xxx series — highest tensile
Copper Cu — Strength / Machinability	≤ 0.10%	0.15–0.40%	≤ 0.05%	1.2–2.0%	Strength & machinability — reduces corrosion resistance
Manganese Mn — Formability	≤ 0.10%	≤ 0.15%	1.0–1.5%	≤ 0.30%	Softens grain structure — deep formability, weldability
Chromium Cr — Stabilizer	0.15–0.35%	0.04–0.35%	None	0.18–0.28%	Grain growth inhibitor — improves toughness
Iron Fe — Trace	≤ 0.40%	≤ 0.70%	≤ 0.70%	≤ 0.50%	Controlled impurity — excess causes brittleness

* Composition ranges per ASTM B209 (sheet/plate). Actual values vary within spec limits.

5052-H32 · 5xxx SERIES

Mg-Al · Formability

2.5% Mg, no Cu/Zn/Si
Best corrosion resistance & bending

6061-T6 · 6xxx SERIES

Mg-Si · Heat Treatable

Mg₂Si precipitate via T6
Best structural / machined parts

3003-H14 · 3xxx SERIES

Mn-Al · Soft & Cheap

1.2% Mn, nearly pure Al
Softest grade — HVAC & covers

7075-T6 · 7xxx SERIES

Zn-Cu-Mg · Aerospace

5.6% Zn + 1.6% Cu + Mg
Highest strength — no welding

// Common Questions

Aluminum FAQ

Frequently asked questions about our aluminum fabrication capabilities.

What aluminum alloys do you stock?+

We stock three aluminum alloys. 5052-H32 is available in eight thicknesses from 26 gauge (0.020″) through 1/4″ (0.250″). 6061-T6 is stocked in four thicknesses from 16 gauge through 1/4″. 3003-H14 is available in three thicknesses from 22 gauge through 1/8″. All sheets are 48″ × 96″ full sheets.

Can aluminum be anodized?+

Yes — anodizing is exclusively available on aluminum. It creates a hard oxide layer integral to the surface, dramatically improving corrosion and wear resistance. We offer clear (Type II) anodizing and color anodizing in a variety of shades. 5052 anodizes with the best cosmetic result; 6061 also anodizes well. 3003 is anodizable but may show a slightly cloudier finish.

What is the difference between 5052 and 6061?+

5052-H32 is optimized for formability and corrosion resistance — it bends without cracking, anodizes beautifully, and resists marine environments. 6061-T6 is a heat-treatable structural alloy with roughly 35% higher tensile strength. If your part requires tight bends or thin gauges, choose 5052. If it needs drilled/tapped holes, high load capacity, or machined features, choose 6061.

How does aluminum behave when bending?+

Aluminum has moderate springback and bends cleanly when proper radii are used. 5052-H32 is the most bend-friendly alloy we stock — minimum inside radius is typically 1× material thickness. 6061-T6 is stiffer and requires wider radii; tight bends can crack, especially in thicker gauges. 3003-H14 is very soft and bends easily. Always design bend relief slots at sharp corners to prevent tearing.

What assist gas do you use for cutting aluminum?+

We use oxygen or compressed air as the assist gas when cutting aluminum. Unlike stainless steel (which uses nitrogen to prevent oxidation), aluminum forms a thin, stable oxide layer that doesn't negatively affect most applications. For cosmetically critical parts or parts that will be anodized, we can use nitrogen assist to produce a cleaner, brighter edge with minimal oxidation.

What edge quality should I expect from laser-cut aluminum?+

Laser-cut aluminum edges are clean and sharp with minimal dross on thinner gauges. Edge finish is typically 125–250 Ra depending on thickness. Thicker plate (3/16″ and 1/4″) may show more striation on the cut face. If your parts will be anodized or require a cosmetically smooth edge, we recommend our deburring or bead blasting service as a secondary operation.