Technical Information

The Advantages of Aluminum

Modern aluminum and aluminum alloys have many desirable characteristics, low cost, modern appearance, light weight, non-sparking, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, non-magnetic, reflectivity, chemical resistance, ease of fabrication, non-toxic, strength, excellent resistance to corrosive attack by industrial and MARINE ATMOSPHERES... it is no wonder that aluminum has increased so remarkably in use and applications.

Aluminum offers and economical, attractive, natural finish that is for ever free of destructive rust. The surface of aluminum may be changed materially by mechanical finishing and embossing, by etching and electroplating.

Since aluminum weighs only one-third as much as most other production metals, it is the logical material for products that must lifted, moved or flown. Aluminum has higher conductivity per pound than any other metal. The heat transfer efficiency of aluminum is a particularly important feature in applications for the process industries. The resistance to corrosion of aluminum alloys depends on the presence of a very thin film of aluminum oxide that protects the metal surface.

Among the alloys most commonly employed in the architectural field and building trades are the 1000, 3000, 5000 and 6000 series. Alloys such as 1100 or 3003, are generally employed where structural strength is not a primary requirement. For exposure to MARINE environments, aluminum alloys of the 5000 series, particularly 5083, 5086 offer the highest order of corrosion resistance. Alloys 6061 and 6063 are often employed for extruded shapes and offer both strength and corrosion resistance.