Aluminum - the numbers that decide the jobASNM-01Sheet 01 of 04
No.
Property
Value
Why it matters
01
Density vs. steel
≈ 1/3
2.70 g/cm³ against 7.85 - the reason it goes up on a roof, a boat or a truck body
02
Energy to recycle
≈ 5%
Secondary production can use about five percent of the energy needed for primary production; alloy sorting still matters
03
6061-T6 tensile strength
≈ 45 ksi
A typical ultimate value for common product specifications; use the applicable standard and mill certificate for design
04
Oxide layer forms in
Seconds
The natural oxide layer contributes corrosion resistance, but alloy, finish and environment still determine performance
Typical published values for common wrought alloys. Confirm mill certs with your supplier before designing to them.
02 · Choose a sourcing route
Six ways to source aluminum in Florida
Choose the service line that best matches the order. If you are unsure, send the specification for manual review.
Type 01
Metal service centers
Warehouse stock can include sheet, plate, bar, tube and structural shapes in 3003, 5052 and 6061. Many offer will-call, cut-to-size service and remnant sales. Confirm stock and minimums with each supplier.
Current inventory and lead time vary
Type 02
Extruders & profile houses
6063 and 6005 architectural profiles: railing, window and door frame, screen enclosure sections, solar rail, standard shapes off the shelf and custom dies on a minimum run. Mill finish, anodized or powder coated.
Custom die lead time is quote-specific
Type 03
Fabricators & welding shops
Material supplied as part of the build: railings, docks, hurricane frames, truck bodies, trailers, marine tanks and hardtops. TIG and MIG to AWS D1.2, with in-house forming, punching and finishing.
Quoted per drawing
Type 04
Retail & small-quantity counters
Some retail counters sell individual lengths, sheets, brackets, angle, flat bar, diamond plate and remnants. Minimum order, payment method and pickup availability vary.
Confirm counter hours and minimums
Type 05
Marine metal specialists
5052-H32 and 5083 plate, marine tread, pipe and tube for T-tops, towers, tanks and hulls. Stocked near the coasts and used to spec'ing for salt exposure, galvanic isolation and Coast Guard work.
Coastal counties
Type 06
Recyclers & remnant dealers
Clean alloy scrap may be bought by grade, while sorted extrusion, cast and usable remnants can return to the market. Availability, accepted grades and sales policies vary.
Scrap pricing and accepted grades vary
Need help choosing a route? Send the alloy, form, dimensions, quantity and delivery ZIP. Requests are reviewed manually during the pre-supplier launch.
Describe what the part must do and name any required processing. Capabilities will be confirmed with a supplier before an introduction is made.
Cut to size
Shear, cold saw and chop-saw cutting to a cut list. State the required tolerance because capability varies by equipment and supplier.
Plate cutting
Waterjet, plasma and router for profiles cut from plate - no heat-affected edge with waterjet.
CNC machining
Milling, turning, drilling and tapping from bar and plate - 6061 and 2024 machine cleanly.
Forming & braking
Press brake bending, rolling and stretch forming. Bend radius is temper-driven - soften the temper, not the design.
Welding
TIG and MIG welding with filler selected for the alloy, service condition and finish. Confirm required welding code and welder qualifications for the job.
Anodizing
Clear or color Type II and hard-coat Type III finishes may be available. Specify alloy, appearance and performance requirements.
Powder coating
AAMA 2603 to 2605 finishes with chromate or chrome-free pretreatment for coastal exposure.
Delivery & will-call
Some suppliers offer local truck delivery, counter pickup or both. Confirm delivery radius, unloading requirements and pickup hours.
04 · Alloy & temper reference
Specify the alloy before you call
Nine wrought alloys cover almost every order placed in this state. Pick the row that matches the job; bring the temper with you.
Alloy
Common temper
Character
Usual forms
Where it lands
1100
H14, O
Nearly pure, soft, superb forming and corrosion resistance
Sheet, coil, flashing
Trim, gutters, chemical trays, spun parts
3003
H14
General purpose, formable, not heat treatable
Sheet, coil, tube
Roofing and siding panels, ductwork, tanks
5052
H32
Marine grade - high fatigue and saltwater resistance
The structural workhorse - strong, weldable, machines well
Plate, bar, angle, channel, tube, pipe
Frames, brackets, docks, machined parts, railings
6063
T5, T52, T6
Architectural extrusion alloy with good finish and anodizing response
Extruded profile, tube, trim
Screen enclosures, window and door frame, railing, sign frame
2024
T3, T351
High strength, poor corrosion resistance, generally not welded
Plate, bar, rod
Aerospace fittings, tooling plate, high-load machined parts
7075
T6, T651
Highest strength of the common alloys; not for welding or salt exposure
Plate, bar
Aerospace, molds, competition and defense parts
Reading a temper
O annealed and soft. H1x strain hardened - the second digit is hardness, H14 being half hard. T4 naturally aged, T5 cooled from extrusion and artificially aged, T6 solution heat treated and aged, T651 the same with stress relief by stretching.
48 Florida places indexed — see the full aluminum suppliers in Florida index. If your location is not listed, submit the request with your delivery ZIP for manual review.
07 · How it works
01
Post the spec
Include the alloy, temper, form, dimensions, quantity, tolerance, deadline and delivery city. Mention whether a drawing or mill certification is available.
02
We review it
The request is stored for manual review. It is not automatically sent to a supplier while the initial supplier network is being established.
03
Confirm availability
Once supplier records are active, stock, lead time, cutting, pickup and delivery terms can be confirmed for the request.
04
Buy direct
You deal with the supplier, not with us. No markup sits between the quote and the invoice.
08 · Buying notes
How pricing is built
A quote can include metal value, product conversion, regional costs, cutting, finishing and delivery. Ask each supplier what is included, how long the quote is valid and whether surcharges can change.
Coastal applications
Alloy, temper, finish, drainage, fasteners and isolation from dissimilar metals can affect coastal performance. Follow the project specification, applicable code and the responsible engineer's requirements.
What to bring to the counter
Bring the alloy and temper, decimal thickness, cut list with tolerance, finish, quantity, delivery date and mill certificate requirement. Complete specifications reduce follow-up questions.
09 · Questions
Aluminum supply, answered
Where can I buy aluminum near me in Florida?+
Use the city index to choose among six supplier types and prepare the location, material and processing details needed for a sourcing request. Requests are reviewed manually while verified supplier records are being added.
What is the difference between 6061 and 6063?+
6061 is the general structural workhorse. It is stronger, machines well and is stocked as plate, bar and structural shapes. 6063 is the architectural extrusion alloy, with lower strength but a better surface finish for railing, window frames and screen enclosure sections.
Which alloy is best for saltwater?+
5052 and 5083 are common marine grades. Their magnesium content provides strong saltwater corrosion resistance, with 5083 the higher-strength choice for hulls and structural plate. Confirm the final alloy, temper and coating with the engineer or supplier responsible for the application.
Do suppliers cut material to size?+
Many service centers offer shearing, saw cutting, waterjet, routing or plate processing. Available tolerances and cut charges vary, so include the required dimensions and tolerances in the request.
How is aluminum priced?+
Pricing normally combines the metal value, regional premium, conversion cost for the product form, and any cutting or finishing. Quotes may expire quickly when the underlying metal market changes.
Is there a minimum order?+
Minimums vary by supplier and process. Service centers and retail counters may sell individual pieces or remnants, while custom extrusion runs commonly require substantially larger quantities.
What does T6 or H32 mean?+
The temper describes how the material was hardened or heat treated. T6 is a heat-treated and artificially aged condition commonly specified for 6061. H32 is a strain-hardened and stabilized condition commonly specified for 5052.
Can aluminum be welded to steel?+
Conventional fusion welding is generally not used to join aluminum directly to steel. Fabricators may use transition materials or mechanically fastened joints with electrical isolation, especially in coastal environments.
Anodizing or powder coating?+
Anodizing creates an integral oxide layer and retains a metallic appearance. Powder coating adds a colored organic film. The correct finish depends on alloy, environment, appearance and applicable performance specification.
Is aluminum recyclable?+
Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly. Clean scrap sorted by alloy normally has more recovery value than mixed material.
How fast can I get material?+
Stock material may be available for same-day will-call or local delivery, while non-stock sizes and custom extrusions can require substantially longer lead times. Confirm current availability directly with the supplier.
How do I get listed in this directory?+
Submit the company name, service locations, stocked alloys and forms, and in-house processing capabilities. Listings are reviewed before publication and receive a last-verified date.
10 · Request
Send one spec for manual review.
Submit the location, material and processing requirements in one request. It will be stored for manual review while supplier records are being established.
No fee to buyersNo markup on quotesHuman-reviewed routing
