Is it just marketing or is there an actual structural difference?
In: 807
Pure aluminum is rare to encounter, because adding a tiny percentage of alloys can cheaply make it better in a variety of ways.
6000-series aluminum (6061 is popular). It has a tiny amount of Magnesium and Silicon. This alloy welds, cuts, and drills easily. It can be readily found as plate, bar, rod, etc. If you go into a store that carries any kind of aluminum, they will have 6061
7000-series has some Zinc added. 7075 is popular and it is as structurally as strong as mild steel, while being lighter, but more expensive.
8000-series has a tiny amount of iron and silicon. 8176 is used for high-voltage electrical wire all over the US.
The Germans in WWII developed a very strong alloy they named “Duralumin” specifically for their aircraft. Its alloyed with 4% copper, 1.5% Magnesium, 0.6% manganese, 0.5% iron, 0.5% silicon, and some other smaller portions of stuff…it’s called Aluminum 2024.
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