Preface

This ASM Handbook volume is the result of the culmination of an effort to replace the ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys (1993) with new and expanded coverage on the metallurgy, processing, fabrication, properties, and performance of aluminum alloys. Due to the fact that the subjects of aluminum technology and applications are so extensive, the content is covered in two companion volumes:

• ASM Handbook, Volume 2A, Aluminum Science and Technology, 2018

• ASM Handbook, Volume 2B, Properties and Selection of Aluminum Alloys, 2019

Volumes 2A and 2B were initially planned as one volume, but the extent of coverage required two volumes for a more manageable print publication. Volume 2B is the second half of the set with updates and expansion on alloys and properties. Reference information on the properties and performance of industrially important metals and alloys is a cornerstone of the ASM Handbook program. Volume 2B improves on the coverage from that in the ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys and the aluminum coverage in ASM Handbook, Volume 2, Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials.

The overall direction and planning of Volumes 2A and 2B were guided with the advice and assistance of the volume editors, Kevin Anderson (Mercury Marine), John Weritz (The Aluminum Association), and J. Gilbert Kaufman (Kaufman Associates). The ASM Handbook program is indebted to them for their insights and commitment for both volumes. Many of the articles in Volume 2B are the result of an enormous effort by Gil Kaufman, who authored or updated several articles including:

• Significance of Mechanical Properties in Design and Application

• Fracture Resistance of Aluminum Alloys

• Fatigue of Aluminum Alloys

• Stress-Corrosion Cracking of Aluminum Alloy

• Corrosion of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys

These articles represent a very significant contribution.

Another significant contribution in Volume 2B is the article “A History of Wrought Aluminum Alloys and Applications” by Robert Sanders and James Staley. Early on in the project, Kevin Anderson suggested the addition of an unpublished paper on aluminum alloy history by Dr. Jim Staley. After some leg work, Gil Kaufman got in contact with him and he agreed to contribute. Dr. Staley had the foresight to request help from Rob Sanders, who was instrumental in the completion of the article for his innovative mentor.

Finally, Volume 2B is an attempt to improve and expand upon the aluminum alloy datasheets contained in the ASM Specialty Handbook and ASM Handbook, Volume 2, Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials. The new datasheets are designed for easier look up with more details on key alloy metallurgy, processing effects on properties, and fabrication characteristics. In addition, outreach was done to identify and collect information on new alloy developments. In this effort, the editors and the ASM Handbook Committee want to thank the following individuals for their help:

• Gary Bray, Arconic

• Tim Fargo, Kaiser Aluminum

• Michael Niedzinski, Constellium

ASM International also want to thank the American Foundry Society for permission to adapt selected foundry-alloy datasheets from their publication Aluminum Casting Technology, 3rd Edition, 2017, by David Neff. This has helped to improve the datasheet coverage on casting alloys.

Volume 2B would not have been possible without the commitment of these volunteers and the support of the Aluminum Association and the American Foundry Society. Sufficient thanks cannot be adequately expressed.