In order to get the benefits of aluminum extrusion, one must become well-versed in the intricacies of working with this remarkable metal. Aluminum alloys’ properties make them a desirable material in a wide variety of contexts. As an added bonus, the extrusion process itself often provides additional benefits, giving buyers more incentive to go with this highly malleable metal. Similarities between aluminum and other metals used in industry are many. These include steel, brass, copper, zinc, lead, and titanium. Aluminum alloys, on the other hand, have advantages over these other materials, such as reduced production time and lower costs.
Aluminum alloys are widely used in engineering and manufacturing due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum’s strength is comparable to that of heavier metals, such as steel and iron, despite its lighter weight. While steel is more heavier and stronger than aluminum, the former only weighs about a third as much. Aluminum extrusion has many potential applications; however, the automotive and transportation sectors spring to mind immediately. Because of the increased usage of custom aluminum components, automakers have been able to considerably boost fuel efficiency without compromising consumer safety.
Extruded Aluminum Advantages
Aluminum alloys’ inherent resistance to corrosion is another major benefit. A coating of aluminum oxide forms when metal is exposed to oxygen. This coating safeguards the underlying metal from rust and other forms of environmental deterioration. Damage to the aluminum-oxide layer may be transient due to abrasions, scratches, chemical contact, and other situations. But that layer will self-repair nearly instantly to protect itself from additional corrosion. After aluminum alloys have been extruded and fabricated, they might benefit from a specific coating or finishing solution to boost their protective properties. At Silver City Aluminum, we provide a variety of finishes, including anodizing, powder coating, and conventional paint.
Aluminum, despite its lighter weight, is a surprisingly good conductor of both heat and electrical. Although copper is commonly thought of as an excellent conductor, research shows that aluminum items made to order are nearly twice as good. Aluminum has replaced steel as the material of choice for creating large power transmission lines. It’s a great resource because it’s far less expensive than copper yet just as effective. Heat sinks, which are utilized in several applications, including LED lighting and computer motherboards, may take use of extruded aluminum’s conductive properties and be designed and manufactured with ease.
Sustainable Aluminum Extrusion
Aluminum’s malleability makes it a great material for the extrusion process. It can be hardened to strengths that make it suitable for structural usage, and it is simple to shape, manipulate, and mould. Furthermore, aluminum has a low melting point and density and is ductile. This opens up a wide range of options for working with aluminum, both in terms of heat treatment and cold production processes. The malleability of aluminum allows it to be molded into tubes, rods, wires, angles, and multi-void, complicated geometries near the conclusion of the product’s design.
In addition to the benefits associated with extruded aluminum, there may be other factors at play when it comes to the sectors that choose to employ custom aluminum products. Aluminum alloys have many useful properties, including non-toxicity (making it ideal for use in cookware, appliances, and food storage), non-magnetism (making it useful for electrical shielding, dish antennas, magnetic housings, and computer disks), and non-sparking (preventing fires even when in contact with non-ferrous metals). In addition to being completely recyclable, aluminum retains all of its original properties even after repeated uses.
Custom Aluminum Products in Massachusetts
Aluminum extrusion has many advantages, but they are only fully realized when working with a reliable manufacturer like Silver City Aluminum. Standard and custom aluminum products developed by our team of highly skilled and experienced designers, engineers, and technicians will help your business meet or surpass customer and regulatory expectations and standards. To talk about your manufacturing project and how extruded aluminum may help, give us a call at 508-824-8631 and tell us about what you’re working on.