All About the Fabrication of Aluminium

Aluminium fabrication is the process of transforming aluminium into a finished item, like a solar panel part or an a window profile. 

Fabrication of aluminum has a wide variety of processes, including extruding, forging, bending, and shearing and much more. 

 

In this article, you will learn the basic overview of aluminum fabrication, from properties to fabrication techniques to industries and applications. 

 

Aluminum can go through the same fabrication techniques as any other commonly used metal, but certain methods work better than others. Here are some tips on how to fabricate aluminum with the more common methods: 

 

* Extrusions put the least stress on aluminum. Extrusion forces a piece of aluminum through or around a die, which can be open or closed. This forces the metal to conform to the size and shape of the die. Extrusions can be done either hot (where the metal is heated) or cold (where the metal is room temperature). 

 

* Drawing pulls metal through a tapered die to stretch it, with deep drawing referring to a resulting product with a greater or equal depth than its width. Aluminum is often drawn into wire and products like cans, thanks to its ductility. This is especially useful for the 3003, 5005, and 5052 alloys. 

 

* Forming, including bending, stamping, and rolling, suits aluminum’s flexibility and softness. The 3003 alloy is especially good for this, as well as the 5052 and 6061 varieties, but most alloys in the 1xxx, 2xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, and 8xxx alloy families can be formed. Forming involves pressing part or all of a sheet or plate to shape it into the desired end product. 

 

* Castings are made when liquid metal is poured into a mold or die. They’re best made from 4xxx and 5xxx alloys, which are known for their strength and wear resistance. 

 

* Forging, when metal is beaten or compressed into shape, is best for applications where the end results must be incredibly durable (such as for stress bearing parts). 

 

Aluminum’s properties make it ideal for uses that vary widely across industrial, commercial, and consumer applications, including: 

 

* Aerospace, which uses aluminum’s weight-to-strength ratio and corrosion resistance for wings, fuselages, and parts. 

* Packaging, including cans and foil, which rely on aluminum’s easy workability, softness, and durability. 

* Automotive applications, which use aluminum to absorb crash forces. It is also used to make car bodies and components lighter and therefore more fuel efficient. 

* Construction, where aluminum acts both as decoration and as structural material thanks to its energy efficiency and sustainability. 

* electronics and electrical applications. Power grids use aluminum wiring and conductors in power grids. Consumer electronics like refrigerators and laptops use the metal thanks to its thermal abilities, light weight, and structural strength. 

 

This article has outlined the basics of aluminum fabrication, including fabrication methods, industries served, and properties of aluminum. We hope this will enable you to bring your company to the next level in an increasingly changing industrial marketplace. If you’d like to learn more about industrial terms, materials, and top suppliers, feel free to look into our website at www.sanlev.gr