The most widely used aluminum, 6061 is fabricated into everything from pipe fittings and containers to automotive and aerospace parts. It is strong and corrosion resistant, plus it's easy to machine and weld.

These sheets and bars are precision ground either on all six sides or just on the top and bottom.

One side of these sheets and bars is polished to either a brushed finish or a mirror-like finish.

More corrosion resistant and easier to form than multipurpose 6061 aluminum, 6063 is primarily used for exterior railings, decorative trim, and door frames.

The honeycomb design provides a higher strength-to-weight ratio than solid sheets.

5086 aluminum is used on ships, oil rigs, tanks, and pressure vessels because of its excellent saltwater resistance and formability.

Highly corrosion resistant, 5083 is largely used around salt water for building ships and oil rigs. It maintains its strength in extreme cold, so it's also used to make cryogenic pressure vessels and tanks.

While 2024 aluminum was initially designed for structural components in aircraft, it's now widely used when a high strength-to-weight ratio is needed, such as for gears, shafts, and fasteners. It offers similar performance to 7075 aluminum, but it’s not as strong.

Originally developed for aircraft frames, uses for 7075 aluminum now include keys, gears, and other high-stress parts. It is often used as a replacement for 2024 aluminum because it’s stronger and provides similar performance in all other aspects.