01
Alloy and temper
Confirm the complete material designation and condition; family names or ‘aircraft aluminium’ are not purchasing specifications.
Evidence route
Drawing callout, approved standard and stock certificate scope
CNC material control
CNC machining aluminium: select alloy, temper and finish as one system.
Aluminium grades differ in strength, corrosion behaviour, machinability, joining and finishing response. A familiar grade is not automatically the correct grade. PartVerity keeps the specified alloy and temper tied to stock evidence, drawing intent and post-machining controls.
Decision premise
Material question: which verified alloy condition supports function, route, finish and inspection without an undocumented substitution?
Engineering control
Six decisions behind a controlled aluminium part
The material callout must be specific enough to buy, machine, finish and verify. Availability discussions are closed before supplier release.
02
Functional priorities
Rank strength, stiffness, corrosion, conductivity, weight, fatigue, joining and appearance requirements before accepting alternatives.
Evidence route
Selection rationale and prohibited-substitution note
03
Stock form and condition
Plate, bar, extrusion and forged stock can carry different dimensional, grain and residual-stress implications.
Evidence route
Stock form, source, lot identity and cut orientation where relevant
04
Machining and distortion
Plan roughing, stress relief where specified, reclamping and finish allowance for thin or asymmetrical geometry.
Evidence route
Sequence, support strategy and free-state verification point
05
Finish interaction
Anodising, conversion coating, blasting or cosmetic machining can affect dimensions, colour and visible consistency.
Evidence route
Finish spec, class/type, masking and post-finish CTQs
06
Final evidence
Keep material identity, dimensional results and finish evidence tied to the accepted part revision and lot.
Evidence route
Certificate reference, inspection report and finish/lot traceability
Decision matrix
Common aluminium decision patterns
These are screening questions, not permission to substitute a drawing-specified grade.
| Priority | Review direction | Control question |
|---|---|---|
| General machinability and balanced properties | Common 6xxx options may enter the review | Does the exact grade/temper meet strength, finish and corrosion intent? |
| Higher strength | Selected 7xxx or other specified alloy may be relevant | What corrosion, joining, availability and certification conditions follow? |
| Forming or sheet-derived precursor | 5xxx/other formable grades may fit | Is the CNC route working from the intended stock condition? |
| Cosmetic anodising | Alloy and surface history need early confirmation | Are colour, grain, masking and sample approval defined? |
| Thin precision geometry | Residual stress and sequence become primary | When is the part measured relative to unclamping and finishing? |
Claim boundaries
Material assumptions to close before order
6061, 6082 and 7075 are not interchangeable labels.
A chemistry certificate alone does not prove dimensions or finish conformity.
Anodised colour consistency is not defined by an alloy name alone.
Website material examples never authorise supplier substitution.
Technical context
Use guidance to frame the review—not to replace project evidence.
External process-design context only. Project material selection follows the controlled drawing, applicable standard and documented supplier response.
CNC material and DFM context