Choosing a material simply because it is popular does not make sense for manufacturers. While consumer interest can drive demand, the advantages that the material itself can provide should be the only reason it is used in production. Fortunately, aluminum industry solutions aren’t just valuable to manufacturers but are also becoming very well-known and popular with end-users, including consumers, commercial, and industrial markets. The benefits of aluminum products have made this plentiful and sustainable metal stand out from similar material options and have made it the primary choice for many manufacturers. The New England marine industry, aerospace, military, construction, and transportation industry advantages have increased demand for standard and custom aluminum extrusion across the board.
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
One of the most profound characteristics of aluminum is its high strength-to-weight ratio. Surprisingly strong, especially when you consider how easy it is to crush an empty aluminum can, aluminum has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than most other materials. One example is the 6061-T6 grade aluminum, which boasts a strength that is more than four times that of 304 stainless and three times that of steel. The extrusion process itself helps to maximize the stiffness, strength, and durability of the metal while minimizing the weight of the finished product. Transportation industry advantages, as well as benefits to aerospace, military, and consumer vehicles, often center in on this impressive quality of aluminum alloy. While each alloy combination has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, the average density of aluminum is one-third of steel, iron, and other commonly used metals. This offers a significant opportunity to reduce fuel consumption and weight requirements.
Natural Anti-Corrosion Protection
Industries that see a lot of extreme exposure to temperature, moisture, and other abrasives require materials that will be able to stand up to long-term or regular use to maximize the return on investment. Aluminum industry solutions have been used in the New England marine industry to overcome corrosion caused by exposure to salty air and sea spray, as well as long-term use in water or moist environments. Wind, freezing temperatures, and other considerations also make the benefits of aluminum products even more significant. Aluminum creates a natural thin layer of protection when exposed to oxygen, known as aluminum oxide. This can provide protection even without extra steps, such as painting, anodizing, or powder-coating with a custom finish to reduce maintenance, increase longevity, and create an aesthetically-pleasing product. Unlike steel, which can become brittle in extremely cold temperatures, aluminum becomes stronger, making it ideal for winter or polar regional use.
Cost-Effective Material
Another benefit of aluminum industry solutions is that they are affordable, cost-effective, and easy to work with for extrusion and other types of fabrication. Aluminum is plentiful, but it is also the most recycled metal on the planet. It can be used and recycled over and over again without losing any of its inherent qualities. Aluminum is malleable, especially when heated for the extrusion process, which means that it is easy to shape into the desired profile, cut into required lengths, and perfect for fabrication work. However, when you choose to design custom shapes for extrusion, it is possible to eliminate welding and many secondary operations entirely to save time and money. Interlocking designs, heli-coiling, and other specialized steps can even make design sections that create a perfect seal to further reduce environmental corrosion and damage. Sustainable, affordable, and easy to use, there are many benefits of aluminum products for manufacturers to explore.
Quality Aluminum Industry Solutions
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of aluminum products or would like to discuss solutions for your manufacturing business, contact our team by calling 508-824-8631. We are located in Southeastern Massachusetts and serve customers throughout the New England region, across the country, and worldwide. We have a wide range of standard/stock profiles and offer development and engineering services for custom aluminum industry solutions. Contact our office today for a FREE estimate or to place your first order with Silver City Aluminum. We are dedicated to providing the best quality control standards and strive to provide a superior custom aluminum extrusion that will exceed all expectations. Contact our team today to get started!