Aluminum Material Selection Guide: Forged Aluminum vs. Rolled Aluminum

In critical sectors bearing extreme stress, facing harsh corrosion, or demanding stringent welding performance (aerospace, shipbuilding, heavy equipment, high-end chemical processing), the decision on selecting an aluminum plate often determines the success or failure of a project. Faced with a wide array of aluminum alloy grades and the two core processes of forging and rolling, precise matching of requirements is essential to unlock the material’s maximum value.

Process Showdown: Power Shaping vs. Ductility Control

• Forged Aluminum Plate

Under thousands of tons of pressure, a heated aluminum ingot undergoes a high-pressure “reshaping rebirth.” The metal’s grain flow is tightly reconstructed around the mold, completely closing internal pores and achieving ultra-fine grains and high densification. This results in unparalleled fatigue resistance, exceptional multi-directional uniform strength, and superior fracture toughness. It is the ultimate choice for enduring complex alternating loads and high impacts (e.g., aircraft keel beams, armored vehicle base plates, ultra-high-pressure valve bodies).

• Hot Rolled Aluminum Plate

A heated aluminum ingot is repeatedly stretched and thinned between massive rollers. This process is efficient and economical, capable of producing extremely large-sized (thickness >200mm, width >3000mm) plates with stable performance. Rolling preserves aluminum’s natural excellent ductility, outstanding weldability, and good corrosion resistance. It is the ideal base material for constructing large welded structures (e.g., supertanker hulls, LNG storage tanks, chemical reactor wall panels).

Performance Matrix: Synergy of Process and Alloy

Precision Material Selection Guide: Matching Alloys & Processes to Real-World Scenarios

✅ Choose Forged Aluminum Plate

🔹Ultimate Fatigue Resistance & High Strength-Toughness: Helicopter rotor hub plates (7075 aluminum plate), Jet engine mounts (7050 aluminum plate).

🔹Ultra-High Strength & Multi-Directional Homogeneous Loading: Spacecraft load-bearing bulkheads (7075 aluminum plate), Heavy armor plate (5083 Forged grade), Ultra-high-pressure vessel heads.

🔹Complex 3D Load-Bearing & High Reliability: Aircraft landing gear components (7050/7075 aluminum plate), Precision instrument load-bearing platforms (6061-T6 forgings).

✅ Choose Hot Rolled Aluminum Plate

🔹Large Welded Structures & Top-Tier Corrosion Resistance: Supertanker hulls/decks (5083-H116/H321 aluminum plate), LNG carrier cargo tanks (5086-O/5083-O aluminum plate), Offshore platform structures.

🔹Demanding Chemical Environments: Chemical storage tanks/reactor liners (5083-H116 aluminum plate), Pharmaceutical equipment (6082-T6 aluminum plate).

🔹High Formability Needs & Cost Efficiency: Vehicle frames/panels (5083/6061 aluminum plate), Large equipment enclosures (5083/ 6082 aluminum plate), General structural platforms (6082-T6 aluminum plate, 6061-T6 aluminum plate).

🔹Extra Thick/Extra Wide Plates: Large machinery bases (Thick aluminum plate 5083/6082), Specialized vessels (Wide aluminum plate 5083).

Why Choose Flait Aluminum

Whether you seek the peak performance of forged aluminum plate (7075, 7050, 2024, 6061 forged grades) or rely on the reliability, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness of hot rolled aluminum plate (5083, 5086, 6082, 6061), Flait Aluminum is your reliable technical partner.

◆ Deep Process Expertise: Mastery of core forging and hot rolling processes ensures material internal structure perfection.

◆ Comprehensive Alloy Portfolio: Covers mainstream and specialty 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx, 2xxx series alloys, meeting needs from general to high-end across all scenarios.

◆ Stringent Standard Certification: Fully complies with demanding international standards: AMS, ASTM B209, EN 485, ASME SB-209, etc.

◆ Full-Process Support: Provides one-stop solutions – from alloy grade selection consulting, custom sizing/cutting, to precision heat treatment.