Many people, when asked what aluminum is used for, will say that it is a material used in beverage cans. However, the number of things made from aluminum and the wide variety of products derived from this metal are almost endless.
Aluminum is one of the most useful and widely used metals on earth. Here are just a few things that can be made from aluminum, House siding, Window frames, Car bodies, Aircraft fuselages and wings, and Stainless steel
Why Use Aluminum Extrusion?
The use of aluminum allows for a more lightweight construction than traditional materials. The process is commonly used in the manufacture of frames, window sashes and door skins, stairs railings, kitchen cabinets, and many other applications where it serves as an excellent alternative to wood. It also offers considerable weight benefits over steel alternatives which lends itself to increased performance of many types of items.
Aluminum, like other materials, has a wide range of benefits and limitations that must be taken into consideration when designing and manufacturing new products. Aluminum extruded components include Curtain Wall Framing; Window & Door Systems; Interior Partitions; Stairs, Railings & Components; Louvers/Ventilation; Architectural Panel Systems; Industrial Machine Guards/Shelving, and much more.
Aluminum has many properties that make it a very good material for applications such as house siding, window frames, car bodies, and aircraft fuselages and wings: Aluminum is strong and lightweight – this property allows for lighter products without sacrificing strength Metal can be recycled and reused – this ensures that aluminum is sustainable and environmentally friendly Aluminum has an excellent ability to resist corrosion, which prevents any deterioration of the product.
Aluminum can retain its strength, even when it is exposed to extremes of temperature. It can tolerate temperatures between -40 degrees F and 150 degrees F (-40 degrees C to 66 degrees C) without losing any of its critical qualities.
Why Choose Aluminum Extrusion?
There are many reasons why aluminum extrusion has become the material of choice for the manufacture of frames, window sashes and door skins, stairs railings, kitchen cabinets, and many other applications where it serves as an excellent alternative to wood. It offers considerable weight benefits over steel alternatives which lend itself to increased performance
Aluminum is versatile – it can be easily manufactured into almost any shape or design desired, including molds Aluminum is highly recyclable – it offers considerable weight savings over steel alternatives which lend itself to higher performance benefits.
Aluminum has excellent corrosion resistance properties -it can tolerate the elements for extended periods without deteriorating, unlike other materials such as wood or plastics. It, therefore, offers considerable advantages in applications where you need to leave the frame exposed to the elements for a long time. Aluminum is sustainable – it can be recycled and reused easily, ensuring that the process is an environmentally friendly material.
Aluminum offers excellent design possibilities – aluminum can be readily bent into a variety of shapes which allows for increased creative freedom when designing new products. Because of this versatility, manufacturers can enjoy a wide variety of design possibilities.
Aluminum has excellent machining properties – it can be easily cut and drilled, allowing for increased product customization.
Aluminum offers high strength to weight ratio which contributes to the overall performance of a product at a reduced weight level. Aluminum is lighter than steel by nearly one-third, which means that manufacturers can produce a product of similar size but with increased performance. This is particularly important where weight must be kept to a minimum, such as in aircraft frames. Aluminum extrusion has excellent corrosion resistance properties which prevent any deterioration of the product over time.
Aluminum offers long-lasting durability – it can stay outside or inside and withstand the elements for extended periods without deteriorating, unlike other materials such as wood or plastics.
The geometry of aluminum is a material with a broad range of properties and benefits that make it one of the most popular choices for extrusions in the construction industry. Aluminum offers high strength to weight ratio which contributes to the overall performance of a product at a reduced weight level. Aluminum is lighter than steel by nearly one-third, which means that manufacturers can produce a product of similar size but with increased performance. This is particularly important where weight must be kept to a minimum, such as in aircraft frames.
Common Applications of Extruded Aluminum
Here are some common applications:
Architecture and Construction:
Aluminum extrusion has become a popular choice in the construction and architecture industries. It's used for roofing, cladding, window and door frames, stairs railings, handrails, kitchen cabinets, and many other applications where it serves as an excellent alternative to wood.
Aircrafts:
Aluminum is versatile – it can be easily manufactured into almost any shape or design desired, including molds. It can also be easily bent into a variety of shapes which allows for increased creative freedom when designing new products. Because of this versatility, manufacturers can enjoy a wide variety of design possibilities as well as limited weight restrictions that produce high-performance aircraft.
Lighting:
Aluminum has excellent machining properties which allow for increased product customization. It can be easily cut and drilled, allowing for different finish and design possibilities. Aluminum is also a good conductor of heat and electricity making it an excellent choice when constructing lamps and luminaires.
Automotive:
Aluminum offers long-lasting durability – it can stay outside or inside without deteriorating, unlike other materials such as wood or plastics. In addition, it offers excellent design possibilities – aluminum can be readily bent into a variety of shapes which allows for increased creative freedom when designing new products.
Packaging:
Aluminum is sustainable – it can be recycled and reused easily, ensuring that it is an environmentally friendly material. This makes it especially useful in the packaging industry where it can be integrated into product packaging and storage bins.
Housewares:
Aluminum is a popular choice for houseware because of its versatility – manufacturers can easily bend it into a variety of shapes which allows for increased creative freedom when designing new products. It also offers high durability, as aluminum has excellent corrosion resistance properties which prevent any deterioration of the product over time. Aluminum is also a good conductor of heat, electricity, and sound which makes it an excellent choice for cooking utensils such as roasters and baking trays.
Recycling:
Manufacturers can easily recycle aluminum extrusion by melting down the material so that it can be used again to create new products. Aluminum is incredibly versatile – manufacturers can create almost any design manipulated into any shape manipulated, which allows for increased creative freedom when designing new products.
Final Thoughts:
While aluminum has a wide range of benefits, it is not indestructible. Aluminum tends to corrode over time, which can lead to degradation in strength and appearance. In addition, while aluminum does have excellent machining properties this material will quickly dull cutting tools such as saw blades and drills.