Start with the job the material must do
5052 is usually selected for corrosion resistance and forming. 5083 is stronger and preferred for marine structures. 6061 is a balanced general-purpose material. 7075 is selected when high strength and machining performance matter more than weldability.
| Alloy | Best fit | Watch item |
|---|---|---|
| 5052 | Formed sheet parts, tanks, panels, marine hardware | Not heat treatable |
| 5083 | Marine plate, offshore structures, welded assemblies | Confirm H116/H321 if marine |
| 6061 | General structural parts, CNC, bars, plates | Strength drops in welded areas |
| 7075 | Aerospace, molds, high-load machined parts | Poor weldability and lower corrosion resistance |
Do not choose by strength alone
7075 is stronger than the others, but it is not the answer for every project. If the part will be welded, exposed to seawater, deeply formed or anodized for appearance, another alloy may perform better in production and service.
When in doubt, send the application environment and fabrication process. Alloy choice should reflect how the part will be made, not just the final load.
Useful next pages
For the full comparison table, see the alloy selection guide. For product families, review aluminum sheet, aluminum plate and aluminum bar.