Equivalent does not mean interchangeable
This table exists so you can read a drawing and buy the right stock. It is not permission to swap a grade. We do not substitute a material — not even a listed standard equivalent — without your written approval. Where a row says check the MTC, the composition differs enough that we verify the actual mill certificate before we quote.
Six grades, four standards
| Grade / temper | JIS — Japan | US — AA / ASTM / UNS | GB/T — China | EN / DIN — Europe | Cross-reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6061 / A6061-T6 T6 · T651 | A6061P · A6061BE JIS H4000 / H4040 | 6061 · UNS A96061 · ASTM B209 / B221 | 6061 (GB/T 3190; old LD30) | EN AW-6061 · 3.3211 | Standard equivalent |
| A5052 H32 · H34 · O | A5052P JIS H4000 | 5052 · UNS A95052 · ASTM B209 | 5052 (old LF2) | EN AW-5052 · 3.3523 | Standard equivalent |
| A6063 T5 · T6 | A6063S JIS H4100 | 6063 · UNS A96063 | 6063 (old LD31) | EN AW-6063 | Standard equivalent |
| A7075 T6 · T651 | A7075P JIS H4000 | 7075 · UNS A97075 · ASTM B209 | 7075 (old LC4) | EN AW-7075 · 3.4365 | Standard equivalent |
| A2014 T6 · T651 | A2014P JIS H4000 | 2014 · UNS A92014 | 2A14 (old LD10) | EN AW-2014 | Check the MTC |
| 6005A-T6 T6 | No exact JIS grade closest A6N01S-T5 | 6005A · UNS A96005A | 6005A (GB/T 3190) | EN AW-6005A · 3.3210 | Check the MTC |
Designations taken from JIS H4000, H4040 and H4100, ASTM B209 and B221, GB/T 3190, and the EN AW / DIN material numbers. Temper suffixes follow the Aluminium Association system. Last reviewed 9 September 2026.
What actually changes between them
A6061 — the default
This is the aluminium we run most. Because the Aluminium Association numbering is used by JIS, GB and EN alike, the designations barely change from one standard to the next, which makes 6061 the safest grade to quote against a foreign drawing. Temper matters more than the standard here: 6061-T6 and 6061-T651 are not the same stock condition, and T651 is what you want for plate that has to stay flat after machining.
A5052 — sheet metal, not machining stock
5052 is not heat-treatable. Its strength comes from work hardening, so the temper suffix carries the mechanical property, not the alloy number: H32 and H34 are different materials for your purposes. If a drawing says 5052 without a temper, we will ask before quoting a bent part.
A6063 — the finish grade
6063 anodises more evenly than 6061 and is the right choice when the part is visible. You pay for that with lower mechanical properties. Swapping 6061 to 6063 to get a better finish is a real engineering change, not a material substitution, and needs your written approval.
A7075 — strength, with two catches
7075-T6 is significantly stronger than 6061, but it is not weldable by conventional methods and its corrosion resistance is lower. We order it in rather than hold it in stock, so tell us early if a fixture needs it.
A2014 — where the Chinese supply chain diverges
The Chinese grade 2A14 is offered as 2014 but its silicon and copper content differ slightly. If your drawing calls for 2014 to a US standard, we verify the mill certificate against the actual composition before we buy. This is the same class of problem as Cr12MoV being sold as D2.
6005A-T6 — an EN grade, not a JIS one
6005A originates in the EN / Aluminium Association system. There is no exact JIS twin; A6N01S-T5 is the closest and it is not a drop-in for welded structural work. Written as ‘AL6005A’ it looks like a JIS designation, which is how it gets mis-sourced — the correct way to call it out on a drawing is 6005A-T6.
Stocked in Vietnam, or ordered in
| Grade | Stock status | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A6061 / A6061-T6 | Stocked in Vietnam | Machined parts, fixtures, manifolds, structural frames |
| A5052 | Stocked in Vietnam | Sheet metal, enclosures, bent and formed parts |
| A6063 | Stocked in Vietnam | Extruded profile, frames, parts that must anodise cleanly |
| A7075 | Ordered in | Loaded fixtures, aerospace parts, blow moulds |
| A2014 | Ordered in | Load-bearing structural parts, aerospace |
| 6005A-T6 | Ordered in | Structural extrusion, vehicle frames, welded assemblies |
Ordered-in grades add lead time on top of our standard 14 days after PO. We confirm the figure when we quote rather than promising a number here — it moves with the mill and the section size you need.
Questions buyers actually ask
Is A6061 the same as 6061?
Yes. The leading A and the trailing letter are a JIS convention describing the product form — A6061P is 6061 plate, A6061BE is extruded bar. The alloy itself is the same 6061 you would buy to ASTM B209 or EN AW-6061.
Can you use 6063 instead of 6061 to get a better anodised finish?
Not without your written approval. 6063 does anodise more evenly, but its mechanical properties are lower, so the change affects the part, not just its appearance. We will raise it as a suggestion and wait for your sign-off before buying anything.
Is Chinese 2A14 the same as 2014?
No. 2A14 differs slightly in silicon and copper. If your drawing specifies 2014 to a US standard we check the mill certificate against the actual composition before purchase, and we will tell you if what is available locally does not meet it.
Which aluminium grades do you hold in Vietnam?
6061, 5052 and 6063 are stocked. 7075, 2014 and 6005A are ordered in, so they add lead time on top of our standard 14 days after PO. We confirm the exact figure when we quote.
Do you supply mill certificates for aluminium?
Yes — material test certificates to EN 10204 3.1 on request, alongside dimensional inspection reports in both inch and millimetre.
Will you substitute an equivalent grade if the specified one is hard to source?
We will tell you the problem and propose an option. We will not make the change without written approval, even when the grades are listed as standard equivalents.