Aluminum can be easily formed and machined, and readily accepts a wide variety of surface finishes, although in most applications it needs no protective coating. Almost any method of joining can be used on aluminum – riveting, welding, brazing or soldering. Because it is so easy to work with, it can present an affordable alternative to many cheaper but less workable materials. Aluminum is available as sheet, strip, plate, bars, rounds, pipe and tubes.

The system uses four-digit numerical designations to identify wrought aluminum alloys. The first digit indicates the major alloying element. The second digit, if other than zero, denotes a modification in the basic alloy. The third and fourth digits form an arbitrary number which identifies the specific alloy in the series.