Category: Metal

Aluminum Tread Plate

Aluminum Tread Plate can be utilized for your anti-slip surfaces

What is Tread Plate?

Rolled aluminum tread plate is made of an alloy, where elements such as copper or silicon are added to aluminum to increase its strength and corrosion resistance. The two of the most common grades of aluminum alloy include:

Alloy 3003: The most widely used of all aluminum alloys. Manganese gives the alloy up to 20% more strength over pure aluminum, while still allowing for good workability. While not as strong as 6061, aluminum 3003 tread plate’s shiny reflective finish makes it both functional and decorative.

Alloy 6061: 6000-series aluminum is mixed with magnesium and silicon, giving the metal a high degree of strength. This, along with its corrosion resistance and weldability, is why 6061 is often referred to as structural aluminum. Aluminum 6006 tread plate comes in a mill finish, which means its surface is untreated with little to no shine.

Uses of Aluminum Tread Plate

Tread plate, Diamond plate, Checker plate. No matter what the name, it all refers to the same product: metal sheet or plate with a regular pattern of raised diamond marks. When looking to keep workers safe on the job, aluminum tread plate is a durable, high-quality option to help reduce slips and falls. So why choose aluminum tread plate over other materials? It has numerous benefits including:

  • Slip resistance: The raised pattern provides traction even under tough weather conditions that can find surfaces covered in water or mud. For this reason, tread plate is typically used on stairs, ramps, loading docks and other industrial areas.
  • Corrosion resistance: Unlike iron oxidization, aluminum oxidization stops at the surface. Iron rust can be easily worn or flaked off, exposing fresh metal which rusts and leads to further deterioration. Aluminum oxidation, on the other hand, will not progress beyond the outside layer unless the oxide is removed. This makes well-suited to wear and tear, including exposure to corrosive elements like seawater.
  • Hygiene: Tread plate is easy to wash down, and the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy means it can hold up to regular use of strong cleaning agents. This makes it ideal for areas needing regular heavy-duty sanitation, such as food processing plants, kitchens and walk-in freezers, and ambulances.
  • Protection: The design of tread plate gives impact and surface protection, coupled with the strength of solid metal. When used for corner guards and door plates, aluminum tread plate will help prevent unsightly marks or damage in high-traffic areas.
  • Decorative: Aluminum tread plate is often used for its decorative quality. Vehicle trim, shop walls, and furniture can be made of tread plate, most often in a bright polished finish. The high shine combines both form and function, with the shiny surface also helping with ease of cleaning.

FastMetals is your one stop spot to get tread plate.  Starting at .063 thickeness up to .375, FastMetals.com has you covered.  In size selection as small as 1 foot by 1 foot, all the way to 4 feet by 8 feet.  Need something really specific?  No problem – just submit a fast quote for a custom cut.

Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled, So much to know

Is one a better choice for your project?

What type of rolled steel would make the better choice for your project? It’s important to understand the fundamental differences between hot and cold rolled steel in order to select the best one for your needs.

    Rolling is a metalworking process where the metal is passed through one or more pairs of rolls, which reduces thickness and makes the material uniform throughout the roll. Imagine the steel as if rolling dough through a pasta-maker, flattening and thinning it out until you have an even, smooth product.  The two types of rolling are hot and cold, which is determined by the metal’s temperature during processing. Hot rolling occurs when the metal is heated above its recrystallization temperature. Cold rolling is when the metal is processed while below the recrystallization point.

    Hot Rolled Steel

    Hot rolling involves rolling the steel at a temperature point above its recrystallization temperature, typically around or above 1700 degrees F. This means the steel can be shaped and formed easily, including producing much larger sizes. Since the manufacturing can be done without pauses or delays in the process, this means hot rolled steel is typically cheaper than cold rolled steel.

    Because of the high processing temperature, the hot rolled steel will have a rougher, scaly finish and will also shrink slightly as it cools. This means the finished product can vary in its size and shape dimensions, and at a lower price point than the same item produced through cold rolling. Hot rolled steel is best suited for uses like welding, railroad tracks or construction, where precise shapes and tolerances may not be required.

    Cold Rolled Steel

    Cold rolled steel is manufactured below its recrystallization temperature. Essentially, it’s hot rolled steel with additional processing in cold reduction mills. Because it is typically produced around room temperature, the process allows for closer dimensional tolerances and a wider range of surface finishes for the steel.

    ‘Cold rolled’ is often mistakenly used to describe all steel products, but it refers specifically to the rolling of flat rolled sheet and coil products. For other steel shapes produced below the recrystallization temperature, the accurate terminology is “cold finishing”. For instance, a cold finished steel bar is produced by cold drawing (pulling) the metal, then turning, grinding and polishing. This produces a much more precise end product with four advantages:

    • Increased yield and tensile strength
    • Fewer surface imperfections due to the turning process
    • Grinding gives closer size accuracy and precise shapes
    • Polishing improves the surface finish

    The exception is cold rolled sheet versus hot rolled sheet. For this particular product, the cold rolled steel has a low carbon content and is typically annealed (heat treatment to increase ductility). This means cold rolled sheet will be softer than hot rolled sheet.

    Overall, cold rolled and cold finished steel is superior to hot rolled steel in finish, straightness and tolerance, and comes at a higher price point. It would be the recommended choice when visual appeal is a priority for your project. Typical uses include building materials for sheds and garages, metal furniture, and home appliances.

    Buy Hot Rolled or Cold Rolled Steel

    Here at FastMetals we offer a range of Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled steel products – we offer great quality product, reasonable pricing and fast shipping – shop online at FastMetals.com or call us toll free at (833) 327-8685.