Aluminum alloy is a mixture of aluminum with other metals or non-metals to improve its mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and other physical characteristics. The most common alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and zinc.

Aluminum alloys are classified according to the primary alloying element. For example, 1000 series alloys have no major alloying element and are almost pure aluminum, while 2000 series alloys contain copper as the primary alloying element, and 6000 series alloys contain magnesium and silicon.

The properties of aluminum alloys can be further enhanced by various processing techniques, such as casting, forging, extrusion, and rolling. For example, the strength and hardness of an aluminum alloy can be increased by heat treatment, while cold working can improve its tensile strength and fatigue resistance.