I'm trying to find out the details of the metal identification numbers (like 2024 and 7075). I need a comprehensive list of what all the variations of these numbers mean.
Use have aluminum numbers as reference, but I'll try to give you full representation.
From The Science and Engineering of Materials by Donald R. Askeland
STEEL
AISI steel designations have 4 or 5 digits. The first two numbers refer to the major alloying elements present; the last two or three refer to the average percent carbon. For example, a 1020 steel is a plain-carbon (10XX) with about .20% carbon (XX20). 4340 steel is an alloy with about .40% carbon (XX40) and other alloying elements (43XX). I do not have a good reference at this time that relates the first two digits with any specific alloy element and percentage of.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum alloys can be divided into two major groups: wrought and casting alloys. These groups can be divided into two sub-groups: heat-treatable and nonheat-treatable alloys. The first number of the designation specifies the principle alloying elements. The remaining numbers refer to the specific composition. The temper designation (T or H) refers to heat-Treated or strain-Hardened. Other designations include annealed (O), solution-treated (W), or as-fabricated (F). The numbers following the T or H refer to the type of heat treatment or amount of strain hardening.
Wrought Al Alloys:
1xxx Commercially pure (>99% Al)
2xxx Al-Cu and Al-Cu-Li
3xxx Al-Mn
4xxx Al-Si and Al-Mg-Si
5xxx Al-Mg
6xxx Al-Mg-Si
7xxx Al-Mg-Zn
8xxx Al-Li, Sn, Zr, or B Casting Al Alloys:
1xx Commercially pure Al
2xx Al-Cu
3xx Al-Si-Cu or Al-Mg-Si
4xx Al-Si
5xx Al-Mg
7xx Al-Mg-Zn
8xx Al-Sn
I think I'll create an FAQ about this. Thanks for making me look this up again. It has been a while since I refreshed my memory on this subject.
An FAQ would be a great service. Don't neglect to show how all the industry and company nomenclature is evolving to the UNS system which will encompass all national norms and alloy families.
