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.

The thickness is oversized to allow for finishing to exact requirements.

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.

Known for being one of the easiest types of aluminum to weld, 5052 is also recognized for its ability to resist salt water. It's widely used for the bodies of boats, buses, trucks, and trailers, as well as for chemical drums.

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

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.