How Strong is Aluminum: Tout ce qu'il faut savoir
Aluminum is a metal found in many products around you, from cans to airplane parts. But how strong is aluminum? You might be surprised to learn that it has a unique combination of strength and flexibility.
In this blog, we’ll explore how strong aluminum really is. We’ll break down its different types of strength, compare it to other metals, and show you the strongest aluminum alloys and where they’re used.
What is Aluminum?
Aluminum is a light, slivery-white metal used in many industries because it’s strong, light, and resistant to rust. It’s the third most common element in the Earth’s crust, so it’s easy to find and not too expensive to make.
Pure aluminum is soft and not very strong. To make it stronger, aluminum is mixed with other metals like copper, magnesium, and zinc. These mixes, called alloys, are stronger and can be adjusted for different uses.
Different Kinds of Strength
To compare the strength of materials, we need to agree on what “strength” means. Here are the different kinds of strength:
- Tensile strength is how well a material can handle being pulled or stretched.
- Compressive strength measures how well a material resists being squashed or squeezed; the opposite of tensile strength.
- Yield strength is the maximum load a material can handle before it starts to deform permanently. Before this point, it can return to its original shape if the load is removed.
- Ultimate strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand before it fails or breaks. Between yield strength and ultimate strength, the material undergoes permanent deformation.
- Impact strength is how well a material can handle a hit or force without breaking into pieces.
How Strong is Aluminum?
Aluminum is lightweight, flexible, and recyclable. It handles heat, UV rays, electricity, and resists corrosion. You might not think it’s strong, but its strength-to-weight ratio is great, and new alloys make it even stronger.
Strength of Pure Aluminum
Pure aluminum, known as 1050 or 1100 in the American Aluminum Association system, has a tensile strength of about 90 MPa. This means it’s not strong enough for jobs that need a lot of strength, like parts in heavy machines or airplanes.
Even though pure aluminum is soft and easy to shape, it’s still useful because it’s lightweight and doesn’t rust easily. That’s why you’ll often see it used in packaging and decoration. You can make it stronger by adding other metals to it.
Strength of Aluminum Alloys
When you mix aluminum with other metals (called alloying), its strength can go up a lot. For example, 2024 aluminum, often used in airplanes, can reach a tensile strength of up to 470 MPa. Another alloy, 7075 aluminum, is very strong for its weight and can go up to 572 MPa.
These stronger aluminum alloys are great for things that need to be both strong and light, like aircraft, military vehicles, and high-performance car parts.
Durability of Aluminum
Here are the two main characteristics that make aluminum durable:
Résistance à la corrosion
Aluminium is naturally resistant to rust. When you expose it to air, it forms a thin protective layer that stops it from corroding further. This makes it a great choice if you’re working with materials in harsh environments like the ocean or the sky.
For example, if you’re building airplanes, boats, or tall buildings, aluminum is ideal because it can handle moisture and salt without rusting. You don’t need to add extra coatings to protect it.
Résistance aux chocs
Aluminum is strong, but it’s not the best at handling sudden impacts. If you compare it to steel, you’ll notice it’s more likely to bend or dent when hit.
However, if you choose the right aluminum alloy, like 7050 aluminum, you can get a good balance of strength and impact resistance. That’s why it’s often used in airplanes, as it can take a hit without cracking.
Different Aluminum Grade, Different Strength
The strength of aluminum can vary widely. This is because aluminum comes in different grades, which are created by mixing it with other metals. The type and amount of these metals affect how strong the aluminum becomes.
If you use pure aluminum, you will find that it is quite soft and not very strong. However, when aluminum is mixed with certain metals, it can become much stronger. The strength of the aluminum you choose depends on what it is mixed with and how much of it is added.
Strongest Aluminum Alloys and Their Applications
Some aluminum alloys have already replaced steel in certain uses because they are strong enough for the job, but they also have benefits that steel doesn’t, like being lighter and more resistant to corrosion.
Here’s a table showing some of the strongest aluminum alloys that are commonly used.
| Alliage d'aluminium | Résistance ultime à la traction | When You Should Use It |
| 5052 | Medium (228 MPa) | Use it when you need rust-resistant and easy-to-shape parts like tanks, car parts, or building materials. |
| 6061 | Good strength (310 MPa) | Use it for trucks, RVs, airplanes, or car parts; it’s strong and doesn’t rust easily. |
| 2024 | Strong (469 MPa) | Use it when you need strong parts like aircraft pieces, missiles, or pistons. |
| 7075 | Very strong (572 MPa) | Use it when strength matters most, like aircraft frames, machines, or weapons. |
How Strong is Aluminum Compared to Steel and Brass?
If you’re comparing aluminum, steel, and brass, steel is usually the strongest. It has the highest tensile strength, meaning it can handle more pulling force. Brass is close at 400 MPa, while aluminum is much lower at 90 MPa. Some special aluminum types, like the 7000 series, are stronger, but in most cases, steel is the better choice for strength.
Steel also handles pressure better. Its compressive and yield strengths are higher than aluminum and brass. Aluminum is lighter, which helps reduce weight in a structure, even if it’s not as strong. Brass is stronger than aluminum, but not stronger than acier.
Aluminum vs Steel vs Brass: Key Properties Comparison
Here’s a detailed summary table of their differences:
| Propriété | Aluminium | Acier | Laiton |
| Résistance à la traction | Can go up to 700 MPa if it’s a strong alloy | Can go up to 965 MPa | Usually between 300–500 MPa |
| Limite d'élasticité | Between 70 and 400 MPa | Between 250 and 550 MPa | Around 100–350 MPa |
| Densité | About 2.7 g/cm³ (lightweight) | About 7.85 g/cm³ (much heavier) | About 8.4–8.7 g/cm³ (heavier than both) |
| Résistance à la corrosion | Resists rust naturally with an oxide layer | Needs coating to resist rust (like stainless or zinc) | Good resistance to corrosion especially from water |
| Résistance à la fatigue | Lower; wears out faster with repeated stress | Higher; handles repeated stress better | Moderate; better than aluminum, but not as strong as steel |
Conclusion
Aluminum is strong, durable, and flexible. While pure aluminum isn’t the toughest, aluminum alloys have a lot more strength and reliability. As industries need stronger, lighter, and more durable materials, aluminum is only going to become more important for future innovations.
Au DEK, we certainly manufacture tough, high-quality aluminum parts. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.
FAQ
How strong is aluminum alloy?
Aluminum alloys can be very strong, with some types like 6061 having a tensile strength of about 310 MPa. Stronger alloys like 7075 can go up to 572 MPa, so they are good for heavy-duty uses.
How strong is aluminum extrusion?
Aluminum extrusions are strong because the metal is shaped under high pressure. Their strength depends on the alloy, usually ranging from 10,000 to 70,000 psi.
How strong is aluminum square tubing?
Aluminum square tubing is strong and lightweight, with strength depending on the alloy. Common types like 6061-T6 can handle up to 15,000 psi, and they are good for frames and supports.
