Aluminium sheet and coil look alike on a truck, but alloy, temper, thickness tolerance and surface condition make a big difference to how they form, weld and last. This guide covers the grades most commonly bought in India and the points to fix in your enquiry so that quotes from different mills and stockists can be compared fairly. Browse the category under sheets and coils.
Common sheet grades
| Alloy | Character | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| 1050 / 1100 | commercially pure, very formable, good conductivity, low strength | utensils, reflectors, chemical equipment, electrical parts, circles for spinning |
| 3003 | manganese alloy, a little stronger than 1xxx, good formability | cookware, roofing, ducting, heat exchangers, general fabrication |
| 5052 | magnesium alloy, good strength and corrosion resistance, weldable | marine parts, tanks, truck and bus bodies, panels |
| 5083 | higher magnesium, stronger, good in sea water | shipbuilding, pressure vessels, cryogenic and heavy structures |
| 6061 / 6082 | heat treatable, good strength, machinable | structural plate, machined parts, jigs, fixtures |
| 7075 | very high strength, heat treatable, not usually welded | moulds, high-load machined parts, specialised applications |
As a rough rule, move up the table only as far as you need. Higher-strength alloys cost more, can be harder to form and weld, and may be stocked in fewer sizes. For simple bending and general fabrication, 3003 or 5052 usually covers most needs. For parts that will be machined from plate, 6061 or 6082 in T6 or T651 is the common choice. Keep 7075 for cases where a designer has specifically called for it.
Choose the temper with the alloy
The temper decides strength and formability. O temper is fully soft for deep drawing and spinning. H14 or H24 suits general bending. H32 is the usual temper for 5052 sheet. Heat-treatable plate such as 6061 is commonly supplied as T6 or T651, where T651 is stress relieved for machining. If you are unsure, describe how the sheet will be formed or machined and let suppliers advise. Our alloy and temper codes guide explains each code.
Size, thickness and tolerance
- Thickness: state the nominal thickness and the tolerance you need. Mill and stockist tolerances can differ, and tight tolerances may cost more.
- Width and length: give exact sizes for cut sheets, or width and coil weight for coils. Ask whether edges are mill or slit.
- Flatness: important for panels, signage and machined plate. Agree how it will be checked.
- Coil details: inner diameter, maximum coil weight and winding direction, so the coil fits your decoiler.
Surface and finish
Agree what is acceptable for scratches, roll marks, stains, oil and white rust (water staining). For visible uses such as cladding, anodising or decorative panels, ask for a surface quality suited to that use and consider a protective film. Coated products such as colour coated coil and ACP need extra details: coating type, colour, film thickness and gloss. Embossed and chequered sheets need the pattern specified.
Certificates and testing
- Ask for a mill test certificate with every lot, linked to coil or batch numbers.
- Check chemistry and mechanical values (tensile, yield, elongation) against the standard you buy to.
- For critical work, keep the right to have a sample independently tested.
- If your customer needs it, ask whether the product falls under a BIS quality control order and request the relevant marking or documents.
Packing and transport
Sheet and coil damage easily. Ask for wooden pallets or skids, moisture barrier wrapping, edge protection and secure strapping. Water trapped between sheets causes staining, so material should be stored dry and unpacked promptly. Confirm whether the rate is ex-works or delivered, and who handles loading and unloading.
Comparing quotes
- Make sure every quote is for the same alloy, temper, size and tolerance.
- Check whether cutting, protective film or packing is included or charged separately.
- Note the GST, freight, payment terms and delivery time on each quote.
- Ask whether the material is mill-fresh or from stock, and its origin.
- Check the quoted minimum order quantity and lead time, especially for non-standard sizes or tempers.
Post a requirement
On AluminumBazaar, post your sheet or coil requirement with alloy, temper, size, quantity and delivery location. The sourcing desk collects quotations from verified mills, stockists and service centres and helps you compare them on a like-for-like basis. See also our sheet and coil buying checklist.