ISO 6361-5:2011

Overview

ISO 6361-5:2011 - "Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys - Sheets, strips and plates - Part 5: Chemical composition" specifies the chemical composition limits for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys used in sheets, strips and plates. The standard provides the tabulated mass-fraction limits for individual alloys, rules for expressing and rounding composition values, and the sequence and format in which element limits are presented. ISO 6361-5:2011 aligns its composition limits with the Aluminum Association “Teal Sheets”; where values differ, the Aluminum Association registration controls.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Chemical composition table (Table 1): Lists alloy-by-alloy mass-fraction limits (percent by mass) for major alloying elements (Si, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, Cr, Zn, Ti, etc.), “Remarks”, “Others: each”, “Others: total” and aluminium remainder/minimum.
• Expression of limits:
  • Limits for impurities are expressed as a maximum.
  • Limits for alloying elements are shown as ranges (minimum) or as remainder for engineered alloys.
• Writing and decimal rules: Prescribes the number of decimal places to use depending on magnitude (e.g., <0.001 % shown as 0.000X, 0.001–0.01 % shown 0.00X, etc.).
• Rounding rules (Annex A): Specifies exact rounding procedures for test results when determining conformance (including tie-breaking rules when the next digit is 5).
• Sequence of elements: Standardized order for reporting element limits (Si, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, Cr, Zn, Ti, remarks, others, aluminium).
• “Others” rules: Defines how unspecified metallic elements are treated - limits for each “Other” and aggregate “Total” are enforced; exceeding these makes material non‑conforming.
• Alloy designation: Uses the international numerical alloy designation system as given in the Aluminum Association Teal Sheets.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 6361-5:2011 is routinely used by:

• Material producers and mill operators to certify sheet, strip and plate chemistries.
• Purchasers, specifiers and procurement teams to define acceptable alloy compositions in contracts.
• Quality assurance, inspection and testing laboratories for composition verification and acceptance testing.
• Designers and engineers (aerospace, automotive, marine, construction, packaging) who require proven alloy chemistries for mechanical and corrosion properties.
• Regulatory and standards writers who reference consistent alloy designations and composition rules.

Related standards and references

• ISO 209 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Chemical composition (nomenclature and designations).
• ISO 3134-1 - Terms and definitions for light metals and their alloys.
• Aluminum Association “Teal Sheets” (International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits) - referenced as the controlling registration for alloy limits where differences occur.

Keywords: ISO 6361-5:2011, wrought aluminium, chemical composition, sheets strips plates, aluminium alloys, Teal Sheets, alloy designation, rounding rules, composition limits.