Category: Aluminum

Top 5 Applications for Extruded Aluminum in Modern Manufacturing

Extruded aluminum has become an essential material in modern manufacturing, as it offers versatility, strength, and corrosion resistance. Through the extrusion process, aluminum is heated until malleable and then forced through a die to create precise shapes and profiles. This method allows for consistent, high-quality results that meet the exact specifications required for a wide variety of applications. 

Here are the top five applications of extruded aluminum, showcasing why it is favored for projects requiring lightweight, durable, and cost-effective materials.

1. Automotive Components

The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of extruded aluminum, as it relies on materials that are both lightweight and durable. With its high strength-to-weight ratio, extruded aluminum contributes to vehicle fuel efficiency and improved performance, while also offering corrosion resistance and ease of fabrication. 

Uses of Extruded Aluminum in Automotive Components

  • Vehicle Frames and Chassis: Extruded aluminum is frequently used for vehicle frames and chassis, as it provides essential structural support without adding excessive weight. The lighter frame contributes to better fuel efficiency, which is increasingly important as manufacturers aim to meet sustainability standards.
  • Heat Exchangers and Radiators: Aluminum’s excellent thermal conductivity makes it ideal for components that dissipate heat, such as heat exchangers and radiators. Extruded aluminum allows for the creation of thin, efficient fins that maximize airflow and cooling capabilities in automotive applications.
  • Interior Trim and Panels: Lightweight and easy to shape, extruded aluminum is used for interior trim and paneling in car designs, offering a premium look and feel. Its corrosion resistance also ensures a long-lasting finish that withstands wear and tear over time.

2. Aerospace Structures

In the aerospace industry, materials that are both strong and lightweight are essential for aircraft safety and performance. Extruded aluminum meets these requirements, offering durability and structural integrity while keeping aircraft as light as possible. 

Uses of Extruded Aluminum in Aerospace Structures

  • Aircraft Fuselages and Frames: Extruded aluminum provides the structural strength needed to construct aircraft fuselages and frames. Its lightweight nature helps reduce overall aircraft weight, which in turn improves fuel efficiency and range.
  • Wing and Tail Components: Components like wings and tails, which experience high stress during flight, benefit from the strength and flexibility of extruded aluminum. Its ability to withstand extreme forces while maintaining shape and durability is essential for flight stability.
  • Cabin Interiors: In addition to structural applications, extruded aluminum is used for interior components, such as seat frames and overhead compartments. Aluminum’s lightweight properties make it easy to handle during assembly, while its sleek finish enhances the aircraft’s aesthetic appeal.

3. Electronics and Consumer Goods

Extruded aluminum is widely used in the electronics and consumer goods industries, where its thermal conductivity, lightweight properties, and durability are highly valued. In products such as laptops, smartphones, and home appliances, extruded aluminum provides both functionality and a sleek, modern look.

Uses of Extruded Aluminum in Electronics and Consumer Goods

  • Heat Sinks and Cooling Components: Extruded aluminum’s excellent heat dissipation capabilities make it ideal for use in heat sinks and cooling components in computers, televisions, and other electronics. Its ability to draw heat away from sensitive electronic parts prolongs the lifespan of devices and enhances performance.
  • Laptop and Smartphone Casings: Aluminum’s combination of strength, light weight, and aesthetic appeal makes it a popular choice for casings in laptops and smartphones. Extruded aluminum casings are durable enough to protect delicate internal components while giving the devices a sleek appearance.
  • Appliance Frames and Handles: Extruded aluminum is commonly used in household appliances, such as refrigerators and ovens, where durable frames and handles are required. Its corrosion resistance ensures these components maintain their appearance and function over time, even with frequent use.

4. Building and Construction

Extruded aluminum has become a staple in the construction industry, where its durability, flexibility, and low maintenance needs make it ideal for a range of architectural applications. Its resistance to corrosion makes it particularly suitable for outdoor and high-humidity environments.

Uses of Extruded Aluminum in Building and Construction

  • Window and Door Frames: Aluminum’s strength and lightweight properties make it a popular choice for window and door frames, especially in large buildings. Extruded aluminum frames are easy to install, corrosion-resistant, and able to withstand various weather conditions. 
  • Curtain Walls and Facades: Curtain walls and facades made from extruded aluminum enhance building aesthetics while providing structural support. These aluminum elements are also lightweight, which reduces the load on the building’s foundation and can be customized to fit various architectural styles.
  • Handrails and Balconies: Extruded aluminum is also used for handrails, balcony railings, and other safety features in construction. Its durability ensures long-term performance. It can also be anodized or powder-coated for a wide range of finishes to complement any design.

5. Renewable Energy Systems

As the renewable energy sector grows, so does the need for materials that support sustainability and efficiency. This makes extruded aluminum a valuable resource in this field. Its lightweight properties, corrosion resistance, and adaptability allow it to serve as a reliable structural material in solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy systems. 

Uses of Extruded Aluminum in Renewable Energy Systems

  • Solar Panel Frames: Extruded aluminum is commonly used in the frames of solar panels, where it provides structural integrity while remaining lightweight. Aluminum frames are easy to transport, install, and maintain, which is essential for large solar installations.
  • Wind Turbine Components: Components within wind turbines, such as support frames and connectors, benefit from the strength and lightweight properties of extruded aluminum. Aluminum’s corrosion resistance also makes it suitable for outdoor environments where exposure to moisture and salt air can be an issue.
  • Mounting Systems for Renewable Equipment: Aluminum’s adaptability makes it ideal for manufacturing mounting systems that support various types of renewable energy equipment. Its lightweight nature reduces installation time and labor costs while providing stability in all weather conditions.

Discover the Versatility of Extruded Aluminum with FastMetals!

FastMetals is your trusted partner for all things metal, catering to DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists. Whether you’re building custom furniture, repairing household fixtures, creating art pieces, or tackling a one-of-a-kind project, our extruded aluminum selection offers the perfect combination of strength, durability, and precision. From simple profiles to complex shapes, we provide the materials you need to turn your vision into reality. 

With fast shipping of 1 to 2 business days and reliable service, FastMetals is your trusted source for aluminum materials—explore our collection and find the right fit for your manufacturing needs today!

5 Factors to Consider When Selecting Aluminum Tubing for Your Project

Aluminum tubing is an essential material across industries due to its lightweight nature, durability, and resistance to corrosion. From construction to automotive and aerospace applications, aluminum tubing serves as a reliable component for various structural and mechanical needs. However, choosing the right aluminum tubing requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure it meets the demands of the project. 

Here are five critical factors to consider when selecting aluminum tubing for any application.

1. Strength and Alloy Grade

When selecting aluminum tubing, understanding the strength requirements of the project is crucial. Aluminum tubing is available in multiple alloy grades, each with distinct properties that impact its strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. Choosing the right alloy ensures that the tubing can handle the project’s stress requirements while remaining durable over time.

Key Alloy Grades to Consider

  • 6061 Alloy: The 6061 aluminum alloy is one of the most widely used grades for tubing due to its balanced strength and workability. This alloy is ideal for structural applications in construction, automotive, and marine environments where moderate strength and corrosion resistance are essential.
  • 6063 Alloy: Known for its excellent corrosion resistance and smooth finish, the 6063 alloy is popular in architectural applications. It’s often used in projects where aesthetics are as important as strength, such as window frames, railings, and other visible structural components.
  • 7075 Alloy: For projects that demand maximum strength, such as aerospace components, the 7075 alloy offers exceptional durability and fatigue resistance. Although it’s more challenging to work with, 7075 aluminum tubing is suitable for high-stress applications where strength-to-weight ratio is critical.

2. Wall Thickness

The wall thickness of aluminum tubing is a major factor in determining its strength, weight, and cost. Thicker walls provide added strength and are more suitable for heavy-duty applications, while thinner walls are lighter and more cost-effective for projects that don’t require as much load-bearing capacity. 

Wall Thickness Considerations

  • Heavy-Duty Applications: Projects requiring robust structural support, such as heavy machinery or industrial equipment, benefit from thicker-walled tubing. This added thickness provides extra stability, allowing the tubing to withstand greater stress and impact without deforming.
  • Lightweight Applications: For applications where weight is a concern, such as in aerospace or bicycle manufacturing, thinner-walled tubing is preferred. Thin walls reduce the overall weight of the tubing, which enhances performance without compromising on basic strength.
  • Cost Efficiency: Thicker walls generally increase material costs, so it’s essential to select the minimum thickness needed to meet structural requirements. Choosing the right balance between wall thickness and cost efficiency helps stay within budget without sacrificing durability.

3. Shape and Size of Tubing

Aluminum tubing comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, each suited to specific applications, offering distinct advantages depending on the project requirements. Selecting the appropriate shape and size for aluminum tubing helps ensure that it integrates seamlessly into the overall design and meets functional needs.

Shape and Size Options

  • Round Tubing: Round aluminum tubing is highly versatile and commonly used for applications that require even weight distribution, such as handrails, piping, and structural frameworks. Its circular shape offers uniform strength and is often used in projects that need resistance to bending.
  • Square Tubing: Square tubing provides excellent torsional resistance, making it ideal for applications requiring structural stability, such as support frames or furniture. Its shape also allows for easy welding and joining, which is beneficial for modular construction projects.
  • Rectangular Tubing: Rectangular tubing offers increased strength along two axes, which is useful for applications like construction beams or trailer frames. Its unique shape allows for greater load-bearing capacity along one direction, making it suitable for specific structural needs.

4. Corrosion Resistance and Finish

Aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant, but certain environments and applications may require additional protection to enhance longevity. Choosing the right finish for aluminum tubing can increase corrosion resistance, improve aesthetics, and enhance overall performance. Finishes provide both functional and visual benefits, depending on the project’s requirements.

Finish Options for Corrosion Resistance

  • Anodizing: Anodizing is a popular finish for aluminum tubing that enhances corrosion resistance while providing a durable, decorative surface. This finish is ideal for outdoor applications and projects where the tubing will be exposed to moisture or harsh environments.
  • Powder Coating: Powder coating adds a protective layer to the aluminum tubing, making it highly resistant to corrosion, chipping, and fading. Available in various colors, powder coating is often used for projects that require both durability and aesthetic appeal, such as automotive and architectural applications.
  • Clear Coating or Polishing: For projects where the natural look of aluminum is desired, clear coating or polishing can maintain the metal’s appearance while offering basic protection. These finishes are suitable for interior applications or low-stress environments where minimal corrosion protection is needed.

5. Flexibility and Workability

The flexibility and workability of aluminum tubing are important factors, particularly for projects involving bending, shaping, or welding. Some aluminum alloys are more ductile and easier to work with, while others provide high strength but are less flexible. Considering the workability of aluminum tubing ensures it can be easily integrated into complex designs and manufactured to exact specifications. Always refer to the material specification documentation for maximum tolerances the alloy can withstand.

Workability Considerations

  • Bending and Shaping: Aluminum alloys like 6061 and 6063 are highly workable, making them ideal for applications requiring bending or shaping. This flexibility is beneficial in projects like automotive parts, railings, and bicycle frames, where customized shapes are essential.
  • Welding Compatibility: Aluminum tubing often requires welding, especially in structural or modular applications. Alloys like 6061 are known for their weldability, allowing for secure, durable joints that maintain the structural integrity of the tubing.
  • Machinability: Certain projects may require machining, cutting, or drilling of aluminum tubing. Alloys with high machinability, such as 6061, are preferred for these applications, as they provide smoother finishes and are easier to work with, reducing production time and costs.

Find the Perfect Aluminum Tubing for Your Project at FastMetals

Ready to get started with high-quality aluminum tubing? FastMetals offers a wide selection of aluminum tubing in various alloys, sizes, and finishes to meet the specific needs of any project. With fast shipping and reliable service, FastMetals is your go-to source for durable, versatile aluminum tubing—whether you’re working on DIY projects or fabricating new art pieces. 

Explore our inventory and get the materials you need today. Shop with us now!

Uses For Aluminum Rectangular Tube

Aluminum rectangular tube is a versatile and highly durable material that has become a popular choice in a wide range of industries and DIY projects. Its lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties and structural strength make it ideal for applications that require both durability and ease of handling. 

Here are the many other  uses of an aluminum rectangular tube and highlights why it’s a preferred material for so many applications.

1. Structural Support in Construction and Architecture 

One of the primary uses of an aluminum rectangular tube is for structural support in construction and architecture. Its strength-to-weight ratio makes it an excellent choice for framing and load-bearing structures. Architects and builders often use aluminum rectangular tubing in building frameworks, window and door frames, and support structures for roofing.

Key Advantages

  • Lightweight yet Strong: Aluminum is much lighter than steel, making it easier to handle and install, but it still offers substantial strength for structural support.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally forms a protective oxide layer when exposed to water and humid air, which prevents it from rusting or corroding. This is especially beneficial for outdoor structures exposed to the elements.
  • Long Lifespan: Structures built with aluminum rectangular tubes require less maintenance over time due to their corrosion resistance and durability, reducing long-term costs.

2. Furniture and Interior Design 

Aluminum rectangular tube is also widely used in the creation of modern, industrial-style furniture and interior design pieces. Its sleek, metallic appearance pairs well with minimalist and contemporary aesthetics, while its strength ensures that the furniture will be durable and long-lasting. 

Common Furniture Applications

  • Table Frames: The rectangular shape of aluminum tube provides a sturdy and attractive base for both small and large tables. Its light weight makes the furniture easier to move, while its strength ensures stability.
  • Shelving Units: Aluminum rectangular tubes are often used to create shelving units that are both durable and lightweight. They can support heavy items without the bulk of wooden or steel shelves, making them ideal for home or office storage solutions.
  • Outdoor Furniture: Because aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion, it is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture, such as patio chairs, benches, and tables. Even when exposed to rain, sun, or salt air, aluminum will not rust, making it a low-maintenance option for outdoor spaces.

3. Automotive and Transportation 

Aluminum rectangular tube has various uses in the automotive and transportation industries due to its lightweight and high-strength properties. Manufacturers use aluminum tubing in a variety of components, from vehicle frames to roof racks, where reducing weight is crucial for improving fuel efficiency and performance.

Key Benefits 

  • Fuel Efficiency: The lightweight nature of aluminum helps reduce the overall weight of vehicles, which in turn improves fuel efficiency. This makes aluminum rectangular tubes an essential material in the production of electric vehicles, bicycles, trailers, and more.
  • Durability: Despite its lightweight composition, aluminum is strong enough to withstand the stresses of transportation. It maintains its integrity over time, even when subjected to heavy loads or frequent use.
  • Corrosion Resistance: In automotive applications, aluminum’s resistance to corrosion is particularly valuable in regions where vehicles are exposed to road salt, rain, and moisture. Aluminum components last longer than steel, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

4. Signage and Displays 

Aluminum rectangular tube is a popular choice for signage and display structures due to its combination of strength, light weight, and ease of fabrication. Retailers, event organizers, and advertisers often use aluminum tubing to create display frames, signposts, and other temporary or permanent structures.

Why Aluminum is Ideal for Signage

  • Customizable: Aluminum rectangular tubing can be easily cut, bent, and welded to fit the specific needs of a display or sign structure. This allows for the creation of custom sizes and shapes, making aluminum ideal for creative and unique designs.
  • Portable: Because aluminum is lightweight, signage and display structures made from rectangular tubes can be easily transported and set up, making it perfect for trade shows, exhibitions, or outdoor events.
  • Durable: Whether used indoors or outdoors, aluminum signage can withstand the elements, ensuring that it lasts over time without rusting or corroding.

5. Industrial Machinery and Equipment 

In industrial settings, aluminum rectangular tubes are frequently used in the construction of machinery and equipment. Its ability to withstand heavy loads without compromising weight makes it a preferred material for machinery frames, conveyor systems, and other industrial structures.

Key Advantages in Industrial Applications

  • Strength and Stability: Industrial equipment often requires durable materials that can support heavy weights and withstand constant use. Aluminum rectangular tube offers the necessary strength while minimizing the overall weight of the machinery.
  • Resistance to Corrosive Environments: Many industrial processes take place in environments where chemicals, moisture, or other corrosive elements are present. Aluminum’s natural corrosion resistance ensures that equipment built with rectangular tubing will last longer, even in harsh conditions.
  • Ease of Fabrication: Aluminum rectangular tube can be easily machined, cut, and welded, which simplifies the manufacturing process for complex industrial equipment designs.

6. Solar Panel Mounting Systems 

As the renewable energy industry continues to grow, aluminum rectangular tubes have found their place in solar panel mounting systems. Its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties make it an ideal material for supporting solar panels in both residential and commercial applications.

Key Benefits

  • Corrosion Resistance: Solar panels are often installed outdoors, where they are exposed to the elements. Aluminum’s resistance to rust and corrosion ensures that mounting systems remain sturdy and durable, even after years of exposure to sunlight, rain, and wind.
  • Lightweight and Easy to Install: Aluminum rectangular tubing is lighter than steel, making solar panel installations easier to manage. This reduces labor costs and makes the mounting process faster and more efficient.
  • Long Lifespan: Aluminum structures used in solar panel systems are built to last. Because they do not corrode easily, they require little maintenance, ensuring that the solar panels remain securely mounted for decades.

In addition to the industries mentioned above, a FastMetals customer shared their use of aluminum tubing. If you’re involved in marine construction or maintenance, aluminum tubes—whether round, square, or rectangular—are an excellent choice for building boat ramps and dock rails. Their lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties make them ideal for withstanding harsh marine environments while providing the necessary strength for daily use.

Find the Perfect Aluminum Rectangular Tube at FastMetals

Find the Perfect Aluminum Rectangular Tube at FastMetals!

Looking for an aluminum rectangular tube for your next project? FastMetals has a wide selection to fit any need, from construction and DIY to automotive and industrial applications. With most orders shipping in just 1-2 days, you can start building with confidence and efficiency. 

Get high-quality, corrosion-resistant aluminum that’s perfect for any job. Shop now at FastMetals!

High Strength Aluminum: 2024 & 7075

2024 and 7075 are high-strength aluminum alloys that are commonly used in various applications, especially in aerospace, automotive, and structural industries.

2024 Aluminum

  1. Composition: 2024 aluminum is composed of aluminum (90.7%), copper (4.5%), and small amounts of other elements like magnesium (1.5%) and manganese (0.6%).
  2. Strength: It is known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for structural applications.
  3. Machinability: 2024 aluminum has good machinability and responds well to various machining operations.
  4. Corrosion Resistance: While it is not as corrosion-resistant as some other aluminum alloys, it can be protected through surface treatments such as anodizing.
  5. Applications: 2024 aluminum is commonly used in aircraft structures, where its high strength and lightweight properties are crucial. It’s also used in various aerospace and transportation components.

7075 Aluminum

  1. Composition: 7075 aluminum is composed mainly of aluminum (87.1%), zinc (5.3%), copper (2.1%), and small amounts of other elements like magnesium and chromium.
  2. Strength: It is one of the highest-strength aluminum alloys available, with excellent tensile strength and toughness.
  3. Machinability: While it can be machined, it is less machinable compared to 2024 due to its higher hardness.
  4. Corrosion Resistance: 7075 has good corrosion resistance, but it is not as corrosion-resistant as some other aluminum alloys. Anodizing can be used to enhance its corrosion resistance.
  5. Applications: 7075 aluminum is used in applications where high strength is required. It’s also used in the manufacturing of high-stress components in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Both 2024 and 7075 aluminum are valued for their high strength. They are used in applications where lightweight and strong materials are essential. The choice between them depends on specific application requirements, machining considerations, and cost constraints.

What is the difference between Aluminum Association, American Standard and Sharp Corner?

It’s one of those pieces of information that we all seem to misplace…what really IS the difference between Aluminum Association, American Standard and Sharp Corner products?

First, let’s name that shape! The base, or depth, is often noted as the first dimension of the shape. The thickness, or web, is the thickness of the base/depth. Lastly, the legs or flanges are the uprights of the channel.

Each of the different types, Aluminum Association (AA), American Standard (AS) and Sharp Corner (often called Architectural) have a different combination of leg and interior corner types.

Aluminum Association (AA) has curved (radius) interior corners and straight legs with flat ends.

Need help remembering? We like to make a connection between letters AA in Aluminum Association, and the flat ends of the legs.

American Standard (AS), on the other hand does not have ANY flat or sharp corner in its interior or legs. The legs taper from thick to thin and have rounded ends. You can almost see the shape of an “S” between the rounded legs and the radius interior corner.

Everything about “Sharp Corner” is what it sounds like! 90 degree interior corners and straight legs with flat ends make everything angular. Sharp Corner, or Architectural also only comes in aluminum alloy 6063.

How it’s Made: Aluminum

Aluminum, whether or not you know, is present in our daily lives in some fashion. But how did it get that way?

Let’s step back to look at how aluminum is made.

The first step in aluminum production is mining. Mining takes place in Bauxite-rich regions of the world such as the Caribbean, Australia and Africa. Bauxite is a naturally occurring ore that contains aluminum silicates that took millions of years to create from the natural chemical weathering of rocks.

After mining comes refining. Bauxite alone does not create aluminum, it’s the process of grinding the Bauxite and adding it to a mix of caustic soda and lime to which high heat is applied. After this intense process of heat and pressure occurs, aluminum oxide is created and precipitated out of the mix. It is washed and heated again. Now the mix looks like a white powder and is called ‘Alumina’. Alumina is also known as ‘aluminum oxide’.

Alumina is then smelted, which is an electrolytic reduction process. Electric current is passed through the bath of dissolved alumina and the aluminum metal is created and separates from the original chemical solution.

We aren’t done yet! After the aluminum is created it goes back into a furnace and is mixed with other metals or elements according to a precise scientific recipe in order to create a molten metal that is chemically suitable for certain applications. Purification then occurs and the molten metal is cast into ingots or molds and cools, awaiting its final processing.

Lastly, the ingot or cast material is either rolled, forged, drawn or extruded into its final form: sheet, plate, bar, tube or custom extrusion.

Bar stock can end up as the screws you buy from a hardware store and sheet products could be formed into a filing cabinet you use for important documents.

Next time you use or see something in your daily life that is aluminum- remember the long process it took to get that way and all the people and processing that happened along the way.

Tempering Designations for Aluminum

Aluminum is naturally a soft, low-density metal – too soft to be used for any structural applications in its pure form. Yet we see aluminum used regularly in high stress applications: construction, aircraft, even space shuttles. So how does such a ductile metal become so strong?
The first step is creating an aluminum alloy. Adding alloying elements such as copper, silicon and magnesium modify the mechanical properties of aluminum to produce a stronger metal. Further processing can then be done to add even more strength and durability to aluminum. One of the most popular methods of doing this is through tempering.

What is Tempering?
With controlled application of heat, metal is raised to nearly its critical temperature – a temperature just short of melting, high enough to alter a metal’s mechanical properties and relieve its internal stresses. The heat treatment is used to increase the hardness and ductility, while it decreases brittleness to prevent cracking and breakage. There are several different methods to produce the desired result, but the overall process is known as tempering.

What is an Aluminum Tempering Designation?
Once the tempering process is complete, the metal’s hardness is referred to as its temper. Its tempering designation identifies exactly what kind of heat treatment the metal has undergone. This is helpful in identifying the strength of a particular type of aluminum, and mechanical applications it is best suited for. Two pieces of aluminum alloy may have the same chemical composition, but if they have different tempering designations, their uses can be quite different.

What are the Tempering Designations?
The tempering designation is a two-character code attached after the aluminum alloy designation. The first character is a letter which identifies the type of tempering treatment used on the aluminum:

F: As fabricated. These are known as ‘semi-finished’ products, and often used in creating other finished tempers.
H: Strain hardened, used for wrought aluminum types which are non-heat treatable.
O: Annealed, which results in the lowest strength of tempered aluminum that has greater workability.
T: Thermally treated. These types of aluminum are heat-treated, quenched, and aged.

The second character of the tempering designation is a digit from 1-10, which helps to specify exactly how the tempering method was done. For instance, all T-series aluminum are thermally treated, but a naturally aged aluminum will have a different digit assignment than an artificially aged one. This level of detail helps to easily classify the type of aluminum and how it might best be used.

The T-series tempering designation is the most commonly used for aluminum, which can serve as an example showing the different tempering methods:

T1: Naturally aged after cooling from high temperatures during the forming process
T2: Cooled after a high-temperature forming process, cold worked, then naturally aged
T3: Solution heat-treated, cold worked, then naturally aged
T4: Naturally aged after a solution heat treatment
T5: Artificially aged after cooling from high temperatures during the forming process
T6: Artificially aged after a solution heat treatment
T7: Solution heat-treated, then overaged
T8: Solution heat-treated, cold worked, then artificially aged
T9: Solution heat-treated, artificially aged, then cold worked
T10: Cooled after a high-temperature forming process, cold worked, then naturally aged

Once familiar with these designations, it’s possible to quickly identify an aluminum alloy’s composition, tempering, and processing. Rather than looking up every type and grade, the tempering designation helps a buyer narrow their search for the strongest and hardest aluminum they need for the intended application.

How Diamond Plate is Made

One of the best ways to ensure worker safety in industrial environments is by preventing falls. Proper footwear with non-skid soles is a must, but there will still be a risk of slipping on stairs and walkways. A textured surface in these areas will produce more friction while walking, providing better traction to prevent worker falls. One of the most common methods to improve slip resistance is the use of diamond plate in these high-traffic areas.

What is Diamond Plate?
Diamond plate goes by many names, including tread plate, checker plate, and deck plate. Whatever the name, it all refers to the same thing: metal flooring with a raised diamond pattern on one side. It can be made of various types of materials from metals to plastic, but is most often produced from aluminum, hot rolled steel, and stainless steel.
Because aluminum is naturally corrosion resistant, aluminum diamond plate is a favored choice for outdoor areas or other environments where the plate is in contact with water. Industrial kitchens, loading docks, and fire escapes often make use of aluminum diamond plate. The surface is able to withstand corrosion and abrasions, and can be easily cleaned.
Steel has the strength advantage over aluminum, making steel diamond plate even more hard-wearing and strong. For this reason, diamond plate made from steel is often used in structural applications such as stairs and ramps. While it offers less corrosion resistance than aluminum, steel diamond plate’s sturdiness holds up well through regular use and cleaning chemicals. It is ideal for indoor location usage such as shop floors and walkways.

Production of Diamond Plate
Although diamond plate may look intricate with its raised interlocking patterns, the process of making it is fairly straightforward. Using a combination of heat and pressure, metal can be made into diamond plate by stamping or hot rolling.
With the stamping method, the metal (generally aluminum) can be used at room temperature. The aluminum is run through a series of large rollers, with each pair of rollers having one raised side and one smooth. As the metal passes through each roller, the massive pressure of the patterned roller embosses those shapes onto the aluminum’s surface. Once finished, the diamond pattern will be firmly stamped into the raised side while leaving the other side smooth.
For steel diamond plate, hot rolling is the usual method of production. A steel slab is flash heated to just above its recrystallization point, and quickly passed through the rollers to produce the diamond pattern and desired thickness. Afterwards the steel is allowed to cool slowly, which helps prevent any major alternations to its mechanical properties. Once cooled to room temperature, the steel plate will have the raised diamond pattern on its surface.

Why Use Diamond Plate?
Diamond plate is most often found in any area where extra traction is needed to help reduce slips and falls. This safety practice applies most importantly to workers, but benefits their usage of industrial vehicles as well. A warehouse loading dock surface made of diamond plate keeps workers steady on their feet, but also provides better traction for forklifts. Finally, the extra strength and durability of the metal plate allows the dock to withstand the heavy weight of forklifts without damage.

Aluminum Alloy Tempering Methods

Newly forged metals are extremely hard – hard to a fault, because such a degree of inflexibility makes the metal very brittle. This applies even to alloys made of naturally ductile metals such as aluminum. However, after some type of tempering treatment is done to ease the tension within the metal’s structure, the aluminum will be left stronger and more resilient than before.

Before beginning, it’s important to determine whether the aluminum being tempered is heat-treatable or not. If the aluminum alloy belongs to one of the following series, it should not be heat treated:
Series 1xxx: pure aluminum
Series 3xxx: alloyed with manganese
Series 4xxx: alloyed with silicon
Series 5xxx: alloyed with magnesium
Pure aluminum and aluminum alloyed primarily with one of the elements in the list above do not respond to heat treatment. In these cases, the material can be toughened through other means such as cold working or work hardening.

For the other aluminum series, their tempering can be done through annealing, homogenizing, solution heat treatment, and aging. Aging can then be further split into two groups: natural aging, and artificial aging (also known as precipitation hardening). Whatever the method chosen, the purpose of tempering is to alter the aluminum’s physical and mechanical properties without changing its shape.

Annealing
For aluminum series not considered heat-treatable, annealing is the method used to temper the metal. Work hardening means the metal is placed under repeated strain during use, which causes the grain structures within it to slide against each other. These stretched areas are called slip planes, and as the aluminum continues to be used, there will be fewer and fewer areas left that are not already slip planes. If the aluminum continues to be used without tempering, eventually the metal will be overworked and break.
The annealing process essentially performs a reset on the aluminum. By exposing it to a relatively low heat of 570 to 770 degrees F, the strain within the metal lessens as the crystalline grain structure returns to its original form. Once cooled, the aluminum can again handle the creation of more slip planes.

Homogenizing
When casting aluminum parts using molds, the edges of the part will cool faster than the interior. This uneven cooling affects the structure of the part since some areas, particularly around the edges, will have grains of pure aluminum. The interior may be more combined with its alloying elements, but have remaining pockets of pure aluminum. Because pure aluminum is quite soft, this means those grainy areas will be weaker.
Homogenizing reduces this issue by heating the aluminum to just shy of its melting point, around 900 to 1000 degrees F, and allowing a gradual cooling. Unlike the heat of the mold, the uniform heat during homogenizing allows the internal structure to develop more uniformly. Once this is done, the cast aluminum part will be much sturdier.

Solution Heat Treatment
Solution heat treating is similar to annealing, but the metal is quenched rather than being allowed to cool on its own. When aluminum cools naturally, a greater degree of precipitation occurs. This means the alloying elements within the metal may drop out of place within the metal’s internal structure, rather than being as fully integrated as when newly forged. The sudden cooling from a quench means the alloying structure will be locked into place.
Depending on the type of alloy, the aluminum is heated to 825 to 980 degrees F, almost near melting point. This heat prompts the aluminum and alloying elements to better combine into solid solution. It is then immediately immersed in water to bring a sudden drop in its temperature. After tempering, the part will be stronger due to its improved homogenization.

Aging
After quenching, there is some precipitation which happens naturally in aluminum alloy. However, this is not a drawback – the alloying precipitation helps to reinforce and lock in place the aluminum’s microstructure. If left at room temperature, natural aging will continue to develop for up to 5 days, with most of the hardening taking place within the first 24 hours. This aging window means aluminum can be shaped after solution heat treating, leaving a much stronger piece after both processes are complete.
With artificial aging, the process of precipitation in some alloys may require a second round of tempering to reach its maximum strength. The metal is exposed to a fairly low temperature of 240 to 460 degrees F, just enough to encourage the alloying elements to begin to precipitate within the metal’s interior. It is then quenched again and allowed to finish cooling at room temperature. While more labor intensive, artificial aging will result in a significantly stronger metal in a shorter time period.

Aluminum Alloys for Anodizing

Anodizing the Aluminum Series

While aluminum is the most common metal to be anodized, not every grade of aluminum alloy receives this type of processing. As time passes, aluminum oxide naturally forms on the surface of aluminum, creating a layer of corrosion resistant protection. This layer not only halts continued oxidation and corrosion, it also helps reinforce the metal from the hardness of aluminum oxide.
However, this oxidation develops most successfully on pure aluminum – and pure aluminum is limited in its usage due to being a relatively soft and weak metal. Alloying the metal will give it greater strength and durability, but those properties come at the price of affecting aluminum’s ability to oxidize. Anodization is a convenient method of producing a thin, even layer of protective oxide on aluminum alloy.
Because anodization uses the metal’s aluminum content to form this anodic oxide layer, in theory any type of aluminum alloy can be used for this process. But some types of aluminum alloy have much greater chances of producing a successfully anodized piece. Due to the different element combinations in alloys, the anodizing of some series will produce much stronger and aesthetically appealing products than others.


Expected Results of Anodizing Aluminum Series
1xxx Series
This series covers pure aluminum, or aluminum with such tiny amounts of other elements that it can be considered virtually pure. 1xxx series can be anodized, but the pure metal remains weak and can be easily damaged. With or without anodizing, 1xxx aluminum is not strong enough for most structural applications.

2xxx Series
The primary alloying element for 2xxx is copper, which produces a very hard and strong type of aluminum. Anodization does not offer much additional protection, because the copper impedes the development of an anodic layer. The processing also gives the metal a yellow tint which consumers generally find unappealing.

3xxx Series
Manganese is the main alloying element in this series, and results in a layer of good-quality anodization. Unfortunately, the anodic layer is likely to be an unattractive brown tint that can vary from piece to piece, making it difficult to match when using multiple sheets in a project.

4xxx Series
Like the 3xxx series, the main alloying element in 4xxx causes the metal to turn an unappealing color after anodizing. 4xxx is alloyed with silicon, and this results in a dark gray anodized aluminum with sooty black patches. These blotches are very difficult to remove, so when 4xxx is anodized, it is generally used in architectural applications.

5xxx Series
This series is alloyed with magnesium, and is well-suited to anodizing. Once complete, the anodic layer is transparent, strong, and offers long-lasting protection. However, the chemical composition in some grades of 5xxx aluminum should be examined carefully, because some elements within may make anodizing a bit tricky. If the magnesium content is very high, or it contains over 0.1% silicon, the oxide layer may appear streaky.

6xxx Series
Both magnesium and silicon are the alloying agents in the 6xxx series, and these aluminum grades are considered to be excellent candidates for anodizing. The anodic oxide layer is clear and strong, as long as the alloy’s magnesium content is kept below a certain percentage. The strength of anodized 6xxx aluminum makes it a good choice for structural and mechanical applications, but its attractive finish means it can function well for aesthetic purposes too.

7xxx Series
Zinc is the primary alloying element in 7xxx series aluminum, and it takes well to the anodizing process. This series is already known for being some of the strongest types of aluminum, and anodizing increases that quality even further. The only risk comes if the chemical composition of the alloy is high in zinc. For 7xxx grades with heavy zinc content, the otherwise clear oxide layer can turn brown.