Aluminium sheet and tread plate: alloys, thickness and finishes
Aluminium sheet is a rolled flat product used across fabrication, cladding, marine and signage work, supplied smooth or as anti-slip tread plate. ULAMEX stocks aluminium sheet in the common sheet alloys 1050A, 5052 and 5754, in thicknesses from 0.5 to 15 mm and standard formats of 1,000 x 2,000 and 1,250 x 2,500 mm, to EN 485. This guide covers the alloys, thickness and tempers, checker (tread) plate, finishes and applications.
What aluminium sheet is
Aluminium sheet is a flat product rolled from an aluminium alloy, supplied in smooth sheet, checker (tread) plate and coil. The terms sheet and plate describe the same rolled product at different thicknesses: sheet is the thinner material, and plate is the thicker (generally above 6 mm). All sheet is supplied to EN 485 (sheet, strip and plate) in alloys designated under EN 573-3.
The alloy sets the character of the sheet: how it forms, how it resists corrosion and how strong it is. For the full alloy properties and composition, see our guide to EN AW aluminium alloys.
Alloys for aluminium sheet
Three alloys cover almost all sheet work, from soft formable pure aluminium to the corrosion-resistant magnesium grades.
| Alloy | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| EN AW-1050A | Commercially pure, soft, highly formable, good conductivity | Deep forming, signage, reflectors, general sheet |
| EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5) | Moderate strength, excellent seawater resistance, high fatigue strength | Marine, chemical and food, general engineering sheet |
| EN AW-5754 (AlMg3) | Higher-strength magnesium alloy, very good corrosion resistance | Marine, vehicle bodies, cladding, tread plate |
For a coastal or chemical environment, the 5xxx magnesium alloys (5052 and 5754) are the durable choice; where forming or conductivity matters more than strength, 1050A is the pick. For thicker structural plate, EN AW-6082 is available.
Sheet alloys in detail
EN AW-1050A is commercially pure aluminium, at least 99.5 percent aluminium, soft and highly formable with good electrical conductivity. It suits deep-drawn parts, signage, reflectors and general sheet where forming and surface matter more than strength.
EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5) is a magnesium alloy of moderate strength with excellent resistance to seawater and marine atmospheres and high fatigue strength. It is a workhorse for marine and general-engineering sheet, and it welds well.
EN AW-5754 (AlMg3) is a higher-strength magnesium sheet alloy with very good corrosion resistance, used for vehicle bodies, cladding, tread plate and marine work. For the full mechanical properties of each alloy, see our guide to EN AW aluminium alloys.
Thickness, formats and tempers
ULAMEX stocks aluminium sheet in thicknesses from 0.5 to 15 mm, in standard formats of 1,000 x 2,000 mm and 1,250 x 2,500 mm. Sheet is supplied in strain-hardened and annealed tempers to suit the forming and strength needed.
| Temper | Condition |
|---|---|
| O | Annealed, softest and most formable |
| H111 | Annealed and lightly strain-hardened |
| H22 / H24 | Strain-hardened and partially annealed |
| H14 / H32 | Strain-hardened to a defined strength |
Checker plate (tread plate)
Checker plate, also called tread plate or diamond plate, is aluminium sheet with a raised anti-slip pattern rolled into one side. It is the standard material for anti-slip flooring, walkways, stairs, loading decks and vehicle and machine panels. ULAMEX supplies checker plate in EN AW-5754 for marine and high-corrosion use and EN AW-1050A for general, cost-effective anti-slip surfaces.
Two patterns cover most needs: the Quintett (5-bar) pattern, five short bars in a staggered layout that is the most common in Europe and gives multi-directional grip, and the Duett (2-bar) pattern, two parallel bars with a lighter, more decorative look for interior and lighter-duty use.
Finishes
Smooth aluminium sheet is supplied as mill finish or powder coated in any RAL colour. Aluminium also anodises well for a hard, corrosion-resistant surface suited to architectural and decorative sheet, while a mill or powder-coated finish suits industrial and structural use. The 5xxx alloys take an anodised finish well for coastal exposure, which ULAMEX can advise on. A powder-coated or mill-finish sheet needs no repainting outdoors, unlike a steel sheet, because aluminium does not rust, so the surface stays sound and maintenance-free for the life of the installation.
Tolerances and documentation
Dimensional tolerances for aluminium sheet and plate follow EN 485-4, which sets the limits on thickness, width, length and flatness of the rolled product. Where a project needs the tolerances or the material analysis on paper, ULAMEX supplies the relevant EN 485 tolerance data and an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate on request, batch-traceable per shipment. Specify the tolerance class and the certificate requirement when you order.
Weight and how to specify
Aluminium has a density of about 2.70 g/cm3, roughly one third that of steel, which is a large part of why sheet is chosen for panels, vehicles and facades. A sheet weighs its area times thickness times density, so a 2 mm sheet is about 5.4 kg per square metre. To specify a sheet, give the alloy, temper, thickness, format or panel size and finish, which returns an accurate price and lead time first time.
Applications
Aluminium sheet serves a wide range of work. Signage, displays and reflectors use soft 1050A for forming and surface. Cladding and facades use 5754 and coated sheet for a durable exterior. Marine and chemical work relies on 5052 and 5754 for seawater and chemical resistance. Tread plate covers flooring, walkways, stairs and vehicle and trailer decks. General fabrication and enclosures use whichever alloy matches the load and environment, often alongside aluminium profiles on the same job.
Cutting and fabricating aluminium sheet
Aluminium sheet folds and forms readily. The soft 1050A and the 5xxx alloys form and bend well, with the bend radius set by the alloy and temper, so panels, trays and folded parts are made without cracking. Aluminium also machines, drills and punches cleanly for fixing. The 5xxx alloys weld well with a 5356 filler; see the weldability detail in our EN AW aluminium alloys guide.
Aluminium sheet versus steel sheet
Aluminium sheet is about one third the weight of steel sheet, does not rust, and needs no coating for corrosion resistance, which makes it the choice for panels, vehicle bodies, facades and marine work where weight and corrosion matter. Steel sheet is stronger and stiffer for the same thickness and costs less per kilogram, so it wins where strength or budget dominates and a coating handles corrosion. ULAMEX supplies both, so a project can compare and source the right material from one supplier, alongside aluminium profiles and sections.
Aluminium sheet from ULAMEX
ULAMEX has supplied the aluminium trade since 1988, and sheet is a core part of the range, documented for a specification.
| What you get | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alloys | 1050A, 5052 and 5754 smooth sheet; 5754 and 1050A checker plate; 6082 plate |
| Sizes | 0.5 to 15 mm thick, 1,000 x 2,000 and 1,250 x 2,500 mm formats |
| Certification | EN 485 sheet; EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2; 3.1 certificate per EN 10204 on request |
| Terms | No minimum order on stocked SKUs; dispatch 2 to 7 working days |
Need aluminium sheet or tread plate for a project? Send your alloy, thickness, format or size and quantity, and ULAMEX will return a non-binding quotation. Browse the aluminium sheet range, see our steel and aluminium supply capabilities, or contact the export desk at [email protected] or +48 504 424 761.
Frequently asked questions
What alloys is aluminium sheet available in?
ULAMEX stocks aluminium sheet in EN AW-1050A (commercially pure, formable), EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5, marine and moderate strength) and EN AW-5754 (AlMg3, marine and cladding). Thicker structural plate is available in EN AW-6082.
What thickness does aluminium sheet come in?
From 0.5 to 15 mm, in standard formats of 1,000 x 2,000 mm and 1,250 x 2,500 mm.
What is aluminium checker or tread plate?
Checker plate, also called tread plate or diamond plate, is aluminium sheet with a raised anti-slip pattern on one side, used for flooring, walkways, stairs and vehicle decks. ULAMEX supplies it in EN AW-5754 (marine) and EN AW-1050A (general), in Quintett (5-bar) and Duett (2-bar) patterns.
Which aluminium sheet alloy is best for marine use?
The 5xxx magnesium alloys: EN AW-5052 and EN AW-5754 both resist seawater and marine atmospheres far better than pure or 6xxx alloys, which makes them the standard for marine sheet and tread plate.
Can aluminium sheet be anodised or painted?
Smooth sheet is supplied as mill finish or powder coated in any RAL colour. Aluminium also anodises well for a hard, corrosion-resistant surface suited to architectural and decorative work, which ULAMEX can advise on.
What is the difference between aluminium sheet and plate?
They are the same rolled product at different thicknesses. Sheet is the thinner material and plate is the thicker (generally above 6 mm). Both are supplied to EN 485.
Does aluminium sheet come with a material certificate?
Yes. Sheet is supplied to EN 485 with a 3.1 inspection certificate to EN 10204 on request, with no minimum order quantity on stocked SKUs.
Can ULAMEX supply a 3.1 certificate for aluminium sheet?
Yes. An EN 10204 Type 3.1 inspection certificate is available on request, confirming composition and properties, batch-traceable per shipment. ULAMEX operates EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2.
How much does aluminium sheet weigh?
Aluminium has a density of about 2.70 g/cm3, roughly one third that of steel. A sheet weighs its area times thickness times density, so a 2 mm sheet is about 5.4 kg per square metre.