The difference between aluminum sheet and aluminum alloy lies in their primary composition: Aluminum sheet typically refers to pure aluminum sheet, which exhibits good plasticity and ductility but lower strength. Aluminum alloy sheet, on the other hand, incorporates other elements, such as copper, magnesium, zinc, and manganese, into pure aluminum to enhance its hardness, strength, and durability, meeting the needs of various industrial sectors. Therefore, the aluminum plate is an inclusion of the aluminum alloy plate, and there is a relationship of inclusion and being included between the two.

I. Alloy Composition

1. Aluminum Sheet (usually refers to pure aluminum sheet)

Aluminum sheet, in a narrow sense, usually refers to pure aluminum sheet with an aluminum content of over 99% (1-series aluminum). It is a sheet material made from pure aluminum through a rolling process. It is relatively soft and has a silvery-white metallic luster.

① Aluminum: Aluminum is a chemically active metal with a silvery-white color. It is widely found in nature and is very lightweight (ρ = 2.7 g/cm³). It has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure aluminum is very soft and has excellent plasticity, allowing it to be processed into various materials, such as aluminum plates, aluminum profiles, and aluminum bars.

② Aluminum Plate: Aluminum plate is a sheet made of aluminum. Based on the alloy composition, it can be categorized as pure aluminum plate, alloy aluminum plate, composite aluminum plate, and aluminum-clad aluminum plate. It can also be categorized by size into standard plate, medium-thick plate, thick plate, and thin plate. Generally speaking, aluminum plate refers to pure aluminum plate, which is classified as Series 1.

③Aluminum alloy plate: Aluminum alloy plate is an aluminum profile made of aluminum as the main raw material, with copper, magnesium, zinc and other metals added. According to the alloy composition, aluminum alloy plates can be divided into 2-7 series.

II. Applications: Due to their different alloy compositions, aluminum sheet and aluminum alloy sheet have distinct characteristics and applications. Aluminum sheet is primarily used in household appliances, mold manufacturing, and shipbuilding, while aluminum alloy sheet is primarily used for industrial profiles and has a wide range of applications in aerospace, rail transportation, and electronics.

III. Application Scenarios: How to Choose the Right Material?

Due to their distinct performance characteristics, pure aluminum sheet and aluminum alloy sheet have distinct applications.

Typical Uses of Pure Aluminum Sheet

Thanks to its excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance, and processability, pure aluminum sheet is commonly used in:

Power Industry: capacitors, transformer heat sinks, etc.

Light Industry and Construction: food packaging (such as cans), cosmetic containers, reflective curtain walls, insulated roofs, etc.

Chemical Industry and Insulation: chemical pipelines, anti-corrosion and insulation materials for the construction industry, etc.

Specialized Applications of Aluminum Alloy Sheet

Due to its higher strength, diverse performance, and excellent corrosion resistance, aluminum alloy sheet is widely used in:

Aerospace: 2-series duralumin (such as 2024) is used for aircraft skins, and 7-series super-duralumin (such as 7075) is used for key structural components such as landing gear.

Transportation: 5-series alloys (such as 5052 and 5083) are used in the manufacture of ship decks and vehicle sheet metal, and 6-series alloys (such as 6061) are used in the manufacture of high-speed rail bodies. Industrial manufacturing and construction: 3 series alloys (such as 3003) are often used to make evaporators for refrigerators, air conditioners and other refrigeration equipment, while 5 series and 6 series alloys are also widely used in building curtain walls, all-aluminum cabinets and other fields.