While it is already well-known about the fuel economy and safety benefits associated with using custom extrusion design for consumer vehicles and the trucking industry, there are other sectors of the overall transportation industry that benefit from aluminum extrusion solutions as well. In fact, extruded aluminum is now used more than ever before across multiple areas of the industry, including aerospace engineering, the marine industry, railroad transportation, mass transportation, and much more. The unique properties of aluminum coupled with the advantages associated with the extrusion process have made aluminum fabrication shops a very popular starting point for many of the parts, components, and strategies being used by the transportation industry today.
Why Choose Aluminum?
The number one reason why so many industries choose custom extrusion design of aluminum alloy materials is that it is durable and long-lasting. Durability doesn’t just mean tough. In this case, it also means that the aluminum alloys that are used are also resistant to corrosion, weatherproof, able to stand up to harmful UV rays and provide long-lasting results to ensure a solid return on investment. When talking about transportation, this durability equates to safety. Alloyed aluminum is approximately one-third the weight of steel, but it can be just as strong. In fact, when used in most applications, two pounds of steel can safely be replaced with one pound of aluminum, significantly reducing the weight of the vehicle.
Reduced weight equates to other advantages in transportation, including increased fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. Extruded aluminum can be used to create many different parts and components within the transportation industry, including car parts, essential elements on ships, important components for commercial trucking, and innovative solutions for airplanes and aerospace technology. For transportation of goods, either by air, land or sea, this means that more cargo can be moved effectively and efficiently without compromising safety for the assets or the crew. Many of the top industry brands have created aluminum vehicles and products or are at least experimenting with aluminum extrusion solutions at this point through the help of reputable aluminum fabrication shops.
Green Transportation Benefits
In addition to lowering fuel consumption, increasing efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions, there are other “green” benefits associated with using extruded aluminum for the transportation industry. If protecting the environment is important to you or your business, then aluminum alloys should be at the top of your materials list. Aluminum is 100 percent recyclable. To recycle and reuse aluminum, it only requires five percent of the energy required to make raw aluminum from raw materials found in the earth. As much as 95 percent of the aluminum that is used in consumer vehicles today is collected and recycled, accounting for more than half the material of the vehicle at the end of its life.
Aluminum is also extremely flexible. Not only is it very successfully used in custom extrusion design and manufacturing, but it can also be shaped using other processes, including rolling, casting, and forging. Aluminum fabrications shops that provide aluminum extrusion solutions will often also provide secondary operations to customize further and shape the parts and product created according to the specifications of the client. In addition to popular motorized transportation vehicles, including ships and boats, trucks and cars, airplanes and buses, aluminum is also used for non-motorized vehicles, such as scooters and bicycles. There are so many different types of transportation that can be positively impacted by the use of aluminum and aluminum alloys in manufacturing.
Examples of Aluminum Parts & Products
So you might be wondering what ways custom extrusion design and standard aluminum extrusion solutions can be used within the transportation industry. While some parts and components are naturally perfect for extruded aluminum, such as rods and bars used for railings on ships or components on commercial trucking gear, others are not quite as obvious. Of course, it pays to work with knowledgeable, experienced, and reputable aluminum fabrication shops to ensure quality results, especially when custom engineering is required.
- Railroad Industry – Cars, connecting components, and loading gear made from the standard rod and bar products, as well as custom extrusion design for industry solutions.
- Aerospace Industry – High strength aluminum alloys in standard and custom extruded aluminum to create innovative parts and products, as well as structural pieces, including specialized rod and bar products.
- Military Applications – The low weight and high strength of aluminum alloys make it the perfect choice for military applications where strength, safety, and durability are essential, and an increased demand for fuel efficiency is being developed.
- Marine Industry – Used for consumer boats as well as for commercial shipping, extruded aluminum is applied in many different ways, including large and small extrusions created at custom aluminum fabrication shops.
- Trucking Industry – By far the biggest benefit is being able to reduce the weight of the trailer and components to increase the ability to carry more freight while still meeting demands set by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for overall weight and safety regulations in the United States.
Contact Silver City Aluminum
If you are interested in learning more about the engineering required for custom extrusion design, make sure to contact Silver City Aluminum direct. Our team of highly trained and experienced engineers and technicians can help you meet all of your transportation industry goals. Extruded aluminum can be created according to your specifications, including standard extrusions or custom aluminum extrusion solutions, as needed. Give us a call at 508-824-8631 to speak with one of our team members or to place an order for extruded aluminum parts and products.