Aluminium alloys may be sub-divided into two main groups – cast alloys and wrought alloys. Wrought materials also come in a wide variety of product forms.
Wrought alloys are further sub-divided into heat treatable and non-heat treatable alloys.
Heat treatable alloys are based on aluminium-copper, aluminium silicon-magnesium and aluminium-zinc-magnesium alloy systems. They can develop high strength by solution treatment followed by age hardening at elevated temperatures.
Non-heat treatable alloys include pure aluminium, and those based on aluminium-manganese, aluminium-silicon, and aluminium magnesium. They can be strengthened only by cold work.