What are the Different Types of Aluminium Sheet Metal?
8 minutes 30 seconds read
17 Aug 2023
What are the Different Types of Aluminium Sheet Metal?
Aluminium sheet metal is a versatile material that’s used in a variety of industries. Thanks to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, this type of sheet metal is commonly used in everything from flooring to automobile production.
If you’re working on a project, you might be unsure about which of the different types of aluminium sheet metal is right for you. In this post, we’ll take a look at the main types, including different styles, grades and thicknesses.
Article in Brief
Aluminium is extracted from Bauxite, then refined, smelted and formed into ingots. These are then pressed through industrial rollers to make sheets.
There are several main types of aluminium sheet, including standard aluminium sheet, checkered plate and stucco sheets.
Standard aluminium sheet is lightweight, corrosion resistant, ductile and light reflective.
Checkered plate aluminium sheet has a five-bar pattern. This type of aluminium sheet is strong, corrosion resistant, slip resistant, and has an industrial aesthetic.
Stucco aluminium sheet features a pebble-like design and increased durability, but is less light reflective than other options.
Grade 1050 is a medium-strength aluminium grade that’s highly ductile and lightweight.
Grade 5754 is frequently used for checkered aluminium sheet. It’s a very tough and slip-resistant material, making it great for flooring applications.
Aluminium sheets are available in a variety of thicknesses. The right choice will depend on the requirements of your project.
How is aluminium sheet made?
In most cases, aluminium is first extracted from the ore, Bauxite. This is then refined into alumina, also known as aluminium oxide. Electrolysis is used to smelt alumina into the metal form of aluminium. It’s then formed into ingots, which are then pressed through industrial rollers.
The same method is used with checkered and stucco sheets, except with these sheets, the pattern is stamped on with the last roller.
Different types of aluminium sheet
One choice to consider between different types of aluminium sheet metal is the finish...
Standard aluminium sheet
Strong and durable, standard aluminium sheet is suitable for a variety of applications. For industries where weight reduction is essential, such as automobile production, lightweight aluminium sheet is the perfect choice of material.
If you’re looking to customise or work your aluminium sheet, it’s very easy to bend or shape into place. It’s also very corrosion resistant, which makes it suitable for use in marine applications. Whilst standard aluminium sheet doesn’t have a mirror surface, it is light reflective. Standard aluminium sheet is a great all-rounder for a variety of projects.
Checkered plate
Checkered plate aluminium sheet features a five-bar pattern to prevent slipping and improve grip on floor surfaces. Tough and highly corrosion resistant, it’s commonly used for indoor or outdoor flooring, as well as wheelchair access ramps.
Aluminium checkered plate is also known for its attractive industrial design, and is frequently used for interior decorating. Suitable for a myriad of applications, it’s also very simple to clean and can be painted with relative ease, though you’ll need the right primer and a specialist metal paint.
Stucco aluminium
Another popular choice is stucco aluminium sheet. With its stylish pebble-effect appearance, stucco aluminium is frequently used in decorative splashbacks for the kitchen or bathroom. The surface also features increased durability and is still very easy to clean.
As it’s strong, corrosion resistant and lightweight, stucco aluminium sheets are also frequently used in car repairs, aircraft engineering and sign making. However, it’s less suitable for projects where light reflectivity is required.
What are the grades of aluminium sheet metal?
There are a number of different grades associated with aluminium sheet metal. However, two of the most popular options are...
Grade 1050
One of the most popular aluminium grades, Grade 1050 is a fantastic all-rounder for projects that require medium-strength aluminium sheet. This grade also boasts strong corrosion resistance, and is highly ductile. If you’re looking for a lightweight aluminium sheet, grade 1050 will also suit your needs. Our standard aluminium sheet and stucco aluminium sheet is supplied in grade 1050.
Grade 5754
This alloy is very strong and corrosion resistant, and it’s the grade we supply our 5-bar checker plate in. It’s the perfect choice for checkered aluminium sheet as it’s also incredibly tough and slip-resistant. You’ll frequently find this grade used in flooring applications.
What aluminium sheet thickness do I need?
At The Metal Store, we offer aluminium sheets in a variety of different thicknesses. The thickness required will depend on your project. Here are some of the most popular options:
0.9mm / 1.2mm / 1.5mm
These thicknesses are frequently used for panelling, construction, and other applications.
Standard aluminium sheet is available in 0.9mm, 1.2mm and 1.5mm, whilst checkered plate aluminium sheet comes in 1.5mm. Stucco aluminium sheet also comes in 1.2mm.
2mm / 3mm
A good choice for wall coverings, screens and signage, among other applications. Standard aluminium sheet comes in 2mm, whilst checkered aluminium sheet is available in 2mm and 3mm thicknesses.
4.5mm / 5mm
These thicknesses are frequently used in the creation of walls and flooring, as well as the construction of car body parts and other industrial applications.
Standard aluminium sheet is available in 5mm thickness, whilst checkered plate aluminium sheet is available in 4.5mm.
6mm
This thickness is available in standard aluminium sheet, and is a popular choice for flooring and walkways.
High-quality aluminium sheet metal in the UK
From car production to flooring, aluminium sheets are used for a variety of different applications. Whether you’re looking for standard sheet aluminium, checkered plate aluminium sheets, or stucco aluminium sheets, you’ll find everything you need in our collection.
Want to learn more about our aluminium supplies? Get in touch with our friendly team today on 01274 875 479 or send an e-mail to [email protected].