https://getmetals.com/blog/wha...craft-grade-aluminum


Summary of article:

"So, the next time you hear the term aircraft-grade aluminum, remember the key properties are its light weight, its strength, and its resistance to corrosion. All of these properties are essential to the safety of the aircraft and make these alloys useful in other applications as well."

ALL the cool kids build their scopes, mounts, receivers, etc. with aircraft grade aluminum. The wannabes use lawn chair grade aluminum, right?

Don't fall into that trap!

As far as consumer goods go, whenever the phrase "aircraft grade aluminum" is used, just think marketing ploy. It's no big deal to use 2xxx, 6xxx, or 7xxx alloys in everyday common items.

Aircraft aluminum is high strength, with mediocre resistance to corrosion. I agree, advertisers are just trying to make their product sound better.

The term "military grade" is used similarly. Old soldiers know that "military grade" means the absolute lowest cost to meet minimum specs.

I made a thread like this a decade or two ago and some uptight people tried very hard to defend the term. (nonsense term from the 50's to sound impressive)

My argument being that the wing spars and the cast aluminum handle on the restroom door were not made from the same stuff, but were both aircraft grade aluminum.

aircraft/aerospace aluminum
surgical steel
industrial strength
all natural
non-toxic
military grade... weapons of war

All examples of buzz words made up by marketing teams to make consumers feel good about something but don't have any real meaning behind them.

I was thinking about mil-spec too, but in many cases, there are actual military contract specifications you can look up. If it isn't listed within Defense Standardization Program Specifications and Standards, then it's BS.

Same w/ NATO spec. If it's NATO spec, it'll have a NATO Stock Number, aka NSN.

I remember a very old Mad Magazine ad for a ball that was "made from the same material as B-52 bomber tires" - rubber.

Same with one of the automakers in the recent past saying the used “rolled steel” in their pickups just like the rolled steel in submarines.

Also a lot aluminum often is labeled as meeting multiple specifications.

It's more expensive so better than "regular ass aluminum".

Short answer: noun: a marketing term.

Don't forget "Contractor Grade".

quote:

Originally posted by Fire Away:
Don't forget "Contractor Grade".

IMO, contractor grade can mean different things depending on what is being discussed.
"Contractor grade" tools = good, heavy duty stuff
"Contractor grade" windows, doors, flooring, materials, etc. = shoddy and cheapest thing you can find

Another marketing term all of us here can relate to that has about zero meaning anymore.

"Tactical".

Ahh, yes... When I see tactical, I presume it's a version of something offered in matte black. "Hey, want some tactical licorice? It's black."

"How about some tactical toothpicks?"
"What makes them tactical?"
"They're black... and made of military grade polymer. Seriously, I hear these are the choice of Tier 1 operators."

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
The term "military grade" is used similarly. Old soldiers know that "military grade" means the absolute lowest cost to meet minimum specs.

This is an extremely accurate statement and it's been true going back to the days of the Longbow.