The 1000 series grades of aluminium are the purest out of all the commercial aluminium grades. Each and every grade in the 1000 series contains a minimum of 99% pure aluminium within it. This high aluminium content gives the 1000 series grades exceptional resistance strength.
Grade 1050 is the most common grade of aluminium sheet available in the UK. Grade 1050 aluminium has the lowest strength of all the commercial grades of aluminium. It is most commonly available in H14 temper, which in technical terms is classed as half hard. 1050H14 is an extremely ductile grade of aluminium, and therefore it is most commonly used by fabricators and sheet metal workers who will bend and form the sheet into a requested shape.
A commonly used alloy with excellent corrosion resistance and moderate strength, suitable for applications requiring formability and weldability.
The 2000 series grades are known as the copper grades of aluminium, copper being the main alloying element. The addition of copper increases the alloys strength and hardness, which in turn improves its machinability.
Grade 2011 is a high performance, high strength aluminium alloy. Grade 2011 is usually supplied in round bars.
Grade 2014 is a high strength aluminium alloy, supplied in bar and plate form. It has excellent machinability and is often interchanged with grade 2011.
WE DONT STOCK THIS GRADE, BUT IT CAN BE ORDERED IN
3000-grade aluminum: An alloy primarily known for its manganese content, offering enhanced strength and excellent corrosion resistance, often used in marine and chemical environments.
4000-grade aluminum: Typically utilised for welding applications due to its high silicon content, providing good fluidity and minimal shrinkage, particularly suitable for automotive and aerospace industries.
Grade 5000
Magnesium is the main element used in the composition of the 5000 series grades of aluminium. The 5000 series grades of aluminium are non heat-treatable alloys. The 5000 series grades also have excellent resistance to corrosion caused by saltwater, for this reason they are often referred to as the Marine Grades of aluminium.
Grade 5083 has the highest strength of all of the non heat treatable alloys, although it is not as strong or as hard as the more common grade 6082. Grade 5083 is primarily available in plate form, and is most commonly available in O condition.
Grade 5754 is a medium strength alloy. For comparison it is not a strong as grades 6082 or 5083, but 5754 is stronger than grade 5251. Grade 5754 is most commonly used to produce aluminium 5 bar treadplate (often referred to as aluminium chequer plate).
Grade 5251 is a medium strength alloy, usually supplied in sheet form, and is most commonly supplied in temper H22. Previously known as NS4, grade 5251 has many similar attributes to grade 1050 aluminium sheet and is probably the 2nd most popular grade of aluminium sheet used in the UK today.
The 6000 grades of aluminium are also known as the magnesium and silicon grades. Magnesium and silicon are the two main alloying constituents in all 6000 grades and specifications of aluminium.
Grade 6082 is the most common grade of commercial aluminium sections & plates, whilst T6 is the most common temper.
Grade 6063 is a medium strength alloy, it is the most common grade of aluminium for extruding. As far as commercial aluminium sections are concerned, T6 is the most common temper available.
Grade 6061 aluminium is a medium strength aluminium alloy that is predominantly produced for the American market. Grade 6082 is the nearest equivalent grade to this that is readily available in the UK, with very slight differences between the two.
Known as the zinc grades – zinc being the largest alloying element, the 7000 series grades are the hardest and strongest commercial grades of aluminium.
Grade 7075 is the most common of the 7000 series grades. It is an extremely high strength alloy; the strongest of all commercial grades of aluminium. In fact, grade 7075 aluminium is stronger than many types of mild steel.
WE DONT STOCK THIS GRADE, BUT IT CAN BE ORDERED IN
8000-grade aluminum: An advanced alloy featuring lithium as the primary alloying element, offering exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness, predominantly used in aerospace and transportation sectors for lightweight structural components.
Other Grades
A common misconception is that there is an “Aerospace grade” or “Aircraft spec” of aluminium. Various grades of aluminium from (but not limited to) the 1000 series, 2000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series and 7000 series grades of aluminium are routinely used in the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry does have a greater demand for harder grades, such as 7075, 2011, 2014, 6061 & 6082 than many other industries do, however the exact grade or specification used is very much dependant on the application. Today phrases such as “Aircraft aluminium”, “Aerospace aluminium”, “Aerospace grade aluminium” and “Aircraft spec aluminium” are generic terms used by the masses to describe a hard, machinable aluminium alloy.
Dural is an obsolete trade name for a heat treatable aluminium copper alloy. Also known as Duralumin, Duraluminium, Duralum & Duralium, the original Dural contained around 4 – 5% copper, 0.5 – 1% Manganese and 0.5 – 1.5% Magnesium which makes it very close in composition to grades 2014 & 2024. Today the term “Dural” is often used as a generic term to describe any type of aluminium that has good strength and is suitable for machining.
Trade Account
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Free Cutting Service
1 x Free Cut - per line item purchased - receive the item at the exact length required for the job
Folding Service
We are able to offer our Aluminium Sheets & Chequer Plates and Stainless Steel Sheets folded to the customers specifications
I stumbled across 1st Choice Metals after my previous suppliers website wouldn't let me checkout an order. Well, given the quality of the products, speed of delivery and how clean the metal had been cut they'll be keeping my business. No metal swarf, no cleaning of the tubes required just delivered ready to package, prep and resell. I will be using you again and letting everyone know that needs metal products.
Web site extremely easy to use, ordered Friday afternoon and delivered Saturday lunchtime exactly as ordered. Apart from giving the pieces away could do no better. Totally recommend
Baught some cuts of large Brass bar to make weiughts for my Recurve Bow. Very pleased with the availability of bar size and also with the simplicity of the order interface. Delivery was really quick, although might have been quicker if not sent by royal mail who seem to have an avertion to delivering if you are not in!?
Excellent service and communication. The aluminium channel lengths were cut perfectly and delivered as promised. A pleasure to do business with 1st Choice Metals
I've used this company a few times now and have not been disappointed with the service. Ordering is easy, and they accept small orders, a plus point. Delivery is fast, reasonably priced. The items are well packaged. I shall continue to use this company and would recommend them to anyone looking for good service and decent pricing.
Needed some aluminium profiles for a project. Used 1st choice metals website to order, easy to use and delivered speedily. We'll packaged too. Will certainly use again for upcoming projects.
Great service, speedy delivery and value for money for 1 metre of 12.7mm brass round tube. This type of tube is a staple product for our business "George Juniper" and this is the first time we have used 1st Choice Metals Ltd. We will definitely be back for more of their products.
Aluminium plate was cut perfectly to the size I ordered Well packaged and delivered when they said it would be First class service Will be ordering again from them for sure
!st Choice Metals did exactly what they promised and the product arrived well wrapped and to exactly the right size. Unfortunately, although it was posted on time for 24 hour delivery the Royal Mail did not deliver it for 2 days. Disappointing, but I guess sending it by courier would have cost more.
Ordering on the website was easy, great you can get material cut to size and quick delivery. Everything arrived as ordered and even when we made an error they were quick to support returning the items. Couldn't fault them and since first order we have ordered more. Such a great company to do business with. Any questions just ask them as easy to talk with.
Excellent service and perfect size. I was able to bend to fit my campervan edge. Used u trim to edge it. Will definitely use this company again! Much cheaper than I expected with really quick despatch and delivery.
Easy to use website and telephone help if you need it. 1st Choice have a very wide range of sizes, complete with "cut to size" options. My free delivery order was shipped same day and arrived as promised. 1st Choice every time for me.
Have been using this service for hobby metals for many years, although only small orders I have always had a 5 star service. Allways my go to site for metal, amazing stock list. Friendly and helpful always. Thank you
Truly excellent service for such a small job! I needed some small rectangular aluminium sheets made up to use as Tiller Hoods to fix the tiller to the rudder for a Mirror Dinghy! The 1mm thick 200mm x 100mm sheets were just £1.07 each excluding vat and as the postage was 3x that amount I decided to order 10 for future projects! 1st Choice Metals provided a superb very cost effective service and cut the sheets with quick delivery. I am truly delighted with them.
Easy to navigate website and hassle free purchase. Excellent customer service when item delivered was damaged by delivery service, replaced immediately without fuss. I hope they got compensation from courier.
Fast and friendly staff, use them for materials for work and never had a problem with supply. The cutting service is a big help too, I can just order what i need, pick it up and fit, no faffing about.
I bought a plate of brass 3mm thick to be used on a drawing board. It was dispatched very quickly and packaged against a wooden board in order that it didn’t get damaged. Brilliant service, thank you.