Overview
Aluminum Association registrations provide internationally recognized identifiers for wrought and cast aluminum alloys. The wrought four-digit series and casting designation family organize alloy identity, but neither specifies temper, product form, dimensions or finished-product acceptance.
Designation and acceptance
The Aluminum Association maintains registration records and ANSI H35.1/H35.1M designation rules. Wrought alloys use a four-digit system recorded in the Teal Sheets, while casting alloys use a separate designation convention. Registration establishes alloy identity and composition limits; it does not make wrought and cast forms interchangeable or create a product specification.
Members and selection
| Designation | Selection context |
|---|---|
| 1xxx wrought series | Commercially pure aluminum family; select exact alloy and temper because purity, work hardening and product form affect use. |
| 2xxx-8xxx wrought series | Major alloying-element families; the first digit is family context, not a performance ranking or complete order description. |
| Wrought modification digits | Remaining digits identify a registered composition or variation under the designation rules, not a dimensional product. |
| Casting alloy designations | Use the casting registration family and casting specification; do not translate a wrought number into a cast counterpart. |
Comparison framework
| Criterion | Decision context |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing family | Wrought and casting identifiers belong to different registration systems and product routes. |
| Alloy versus temper | The alloy number identifies composition; a separate temper suffix identifies processing condition. |
| Registration versus specification | A registered composition is not a sheet, extrusion, forging or casting purchase standard. |
| International use | The Teal Sheets support international registration, but local product standards and contract requirements still control supply. |
Performance
- Strength, formability and conductivity vary substantially with temper and product route within one alloy number.
- Corrosion behavior depends on alloy, temper, surface treatment, joining and environment.
- Weldability and heat-affected response require alloy-and-temper-specific fabrication guidance.
Orderable product scope
- Sheet, plate, strip and foil require alloy, temper, thickness, finish and a flat-product specification.
- Extrusions, drawn tube and bar require profile dimensions, tolerances, temper and product-specific acceptance.
- Castings require the casting alloy designation, process, heat treatment, quality level and inspection standard.
Processing
- Keep the alloy number and temper linked throughout quotation, production, marking and certification.
- Confirm whether forming, welding or thermal exposure will alter the supplied temper and properties.
- Apply anodizing, coating or corrosion controls based on the exact alloy, surface and end use.
Applications
- Selecting registered wrought alloys for sheet, plate, foil, extrusion and forged products.
- Separating cast-alloy inquiries from visually similar wrought-alloy numbers.
- Normalizing international alloy references before choosing a product specification.
Selection
- Choose wrought or casting route first, then select the registered alloy family for service and fabrication needs.
- Select the temper and product specification that deliver the required properties and dimensions.
- Verify availability, inspection, surface and downstream processing before approving the order.
Procurement
- State the complete Aluminum Association alloy designation without dropping modification digits.
- State temper, product form and governing product specification.
- Define dimensions, tolerances, surface, finish and quantity.
- Specify properties, tests, certification, marking, packaging and any end-use approval.
Sources and review
01
Aluminum standards and international registration records
02The Aluminum Association · Current standards portal, accessed 2026
International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys
03The Aluminum Association · Teal Sheets, December 2025
ANSI H35.1/H35.1M — Alloy and Temper Designation Systems for Aluminum
The Aluminum Association · 2024