Technical Terms

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• Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS)

  Advanced High Strength Steel refers to steels produced under precisely controlled manufacturing processes with special chemical composition and multiphase microstructure. Tensile strengths are higher than 113 ksi (780 MPa) and yield strengths are in excess 79 ksi (550 MPa). These materials are engineered to be used in automotive applications because of their higher strength and excellent ductility. Docol®, a Dual Phase Steel, is an Advanced High Strength Steel.

• Aircraft Quality Material

  This is material produced specifically for aircraft and/or aerospace applications. A particular grade of Aircraft Quality (AQ) metal has the same chemistry as the same grade that is referred to as “Commercial Quality,” however it has been tested and certified, and therefore approved for those uses. Most AQ materials will be designated with AMS or MIL specifications.

• AISI

  AISI is an acronym for The American Iron and Steel Institute, an association of North American steel producers. It was developed in response to the need for a cooperative organization in the iron and steel industry to collect and share statistics and information, perform investigations, provide a forum to discuss issues and problems, and advance the interests of the industry. It is not uncommon to see many steel number designations, such as 4130, preceded by “AISI” to refer to a particular grade of steel (ex: AISI 4130).
  

• AKDQ

  Aluminum killed, drawing quality. It refers to the adding aluminum to molten steel during the alloy process followed by the annealing and tempering the sheet undergoes. The benefit of the Aluminum Killed process is uniformity and consistent performance.

• Alloy Steel

  This is a steel that has had small amounts of one or more alloying elements (other than carbon) such as manganese, silicon, sulphur, phosphorus, nickel, titanium, copper, chromium and aluminum added to make changes in mechanical or physical properties. It is stronger and harder than carbon steel. 4130 and 4340 are two common grades of Alloy Steel supplied by AED.

• Aluminum Bar, Cold Finished

  This refers to aluminum bar products that are used in aircraft construction. They typically meet requirements for Aerospace Material Specifications (aka AMS). Cold Finished bars have the same chemistry as Extruded bars but tend to be more expensive and are produced to tighter tolerances with higher mechanical properties.

• Aluminum Bar, Extruded

  This refers to aluminum bar products that are used in general purpose applications. Extruded bars have the same chemistry as Cold Finished bars but tend to be less expensive and are produced to looser tolerances and lower mechanical properties. They are usually designated by standards from ASTM, although there may also be AMS specifications associated as well.

• Aluminum Sheet, Alclad

  The sheets are formed with layers of aluminum that are bonded to the surface to add increased corrosion resistance. Generally associated with aluminum grades 2024-T3 and 7075-T6, which are commonly used by the aircraft industry.

• Aluminum Sheet, Bare

  Raw aluminum sheet (that has no cladding). All of the grades in stock at A.E.D. are “bare” (other than a plastic masking on up to .125”), with the exception of prepainted aluminum sheets.

• Aluminum Sheet, Prepainted

  These are colored aluminum sheets often used in race car body panels, trailers, pit equipment and signage. These sheets are also called “Prefinished” or simply “Painted,” and they offer excellent durability for inside and outside applications. The grade is 3105 and does not offer UV protection.

• Aluminum Tube, Drawn

  This type of tube is produced by pushing a hollow billet through a die. Because there is no seam, it can safely be used to transport or store pressurized gases and liquids. It is suitable for bending with the proper tools. These tubes are produced to AMS specifications and are often used in aircraft and aerospace applications. Common grades include 6061-T6, 5052-O and 2024-T3.

• Aluminum Tube, Extruded

  This type is produced by pushing the material through a die to obtain its desired shape. While suitable for applications that require good corrosion resistance, medium strength, and good machining characteristics, it is generally not recommended to transport gases or liquids under extreme pressure. It is also not recommended for bending without some sort of softening. We generally see this tube as 6061-T6511 or 6063-T5, and it is produced to ASTM standards.

• Annealed (or annealing)

  This is a heat treatment process used to bring a metal closer to its equilibrium state. In its heated, soft state, the uniform microstructure of a metal will allow for excellent ductility and workability.

• Autogenous weld

  This is a process that joins two or more metals without the addition of filler metal. Autogenous welding can be performed on many different joint types. A wide variety of materials and welding processes can be used for autogenous welding.