Aluminum sheet is a thin, flat piece of aluminum used in many industries due to its light weight, strength, and corrosion resistance.

It comes in various alloys and sizes, with common applications including construction, automotive parts, and household appliances. Sheets can be found in different thicknesses, from thin foils to thicker gauges used for plates.

The main differences between 5083 and 6061 aluminum alloys lie in their chemical composition, heat treatment capability, hardness, machinability, and application areas.

5083 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloy with excellent corrosion resistance and weldability, suitable for marine and shipbuilding applications; while 6061 is a heat-treatable Al-Mg-Si alloy with higher hardness and better machinability, commonly used in aerospace and mechanical components.

Differences in Chemical Composition

5083 Aluminum Alloy: Belongs to the Al-Mg alloy system, with magnesium (4.0%-4.9%) and manganese (0.4%-1.0%) as the main alloying elements, and silicon content ≤0.4%. It cannot be strengthened by heat treatment.

6061 Aluminum Alloy: Belongs to the Al-Mg-Si alloy system, with magnesium (0.8%-1.2%) and silicon (0.4%-0.8%) as the main alloying elements. Its strength can be significantly improved through heat treatment (such as T6 condition).

Physical Properties Comparison

Strength and Hardness:

5083: Tensile strength ≥270MPa, yield strength ≥110MPa, elongation ≥20%; hardness is typically 70-80HB (H state), possessing basic hardness due to its high magnesium content.

6061: Tensile strength ≥180MPa (can reach higher in T6 state), yield strength ≥110MPa; hardness can reach 100HB in T6 state, and its hardness after heat treatment is significantly better than 5083.

Corrosion Resistance: 5083 has better seawater corrosion resistance, especially suitable for marine environments; 6061 has good corrosion resistance but is slightly inferior to 5083.

Processing Characteristics

5083: Excellent weldability (welded joint strength can reach 90% of the base material), good cold formability, but high magnesium content makes processing more difficult and the price higher.

6061: Superior processing performance, easy to cut, drill and grind, better anodizing effect, suitable for complex machining.

5083 aluminium plate is known for exceptional performance in extreme environments. 5083 is highly resistant to attack by both seawater and industrial chemical environments. Mechanical properties shown are for H321 temper

6061 aluminum plate is a heat-treatable aluminum alloy with good corrosion resistance and strength, making it widely used in marine applications like boat hulls, decks, masts, and underwater equipment.

It is also known for its weldability, good machining properties, and the availability of various finishes, including a diamond or tread plate with a non-skid pattern for walkways and ramps.