Pure aluminium contains between 99 and 99.8% of aluminium. The purer it is, the better corrosion resistance is. Pure aluminium, however, does not have extremely good mechanical properties which is the cause for aluminium alloys introduction. The best mechanical properties of aluminium are attained when copper, nickel, magnesium and silicon are added.

Most aluminium alloys used for milling purposes (extrusion, rolling, drawing and forging) are alloyed with magnesium and copper. Magnesium improves the strength of aluminium (in proper processing conditions) and corrosion resistance but it simultaneously reduces formability and conductivity of aluminium. Copper significantly improves the strength of aluminium but it simultaneously reduces corrosion resistance of the same. Most aluminium alloys being casted are alloyed with silicon.

As for the metal-processing industry, only the quantity of steel produced exceeds the quantity  of light aluminium alloys produced. Over recent years, global production of aluminium has  exceeded 30 million tonnes per year. This figure represents the quantity  exceeding the total annual production of copper, tin and lead together.