We manufacture and supply a range of aluminium alloys from high purity 1050 grade to high strength, heat treatable 2000 and 6000 series materials. (T4 & T6)

The higher alloy specifications can be manufactured to T4 or T6 condition (precipitation hardened) and are suitable for high duty service where strength and stability are required.

Aluminium and aluminium alloy is available as high precision DRAWN aluminium tubing which is manufactured on site to very high tolerances.

We can also supply precision EXTRUDED special profiles in many alloys.

Alloys in Regular Production (T4 & T6 Condition)

1050 1200 2014A 3003 5083 6060, 6061, 6063, 6083

Some characteristics of aluminium and its alloys:

Thermal and electrical properties

Like copper, aluminium has been used in the electrical industry for many years because it offers good electrical conductivity (about 65% that of copper). The purer the grade, the higher the conductivity: 1050A & 1200 are high purity grades, widely used for electrical applications.

Aluminium tubing also has good thermal conductivity at about 65% that of copper but four times that of steel. As long as other requirements are satisfied (corrosion resistance, strength and electrical characteristics) aluminium may be a good choice of material.

Light

The specific gravity of aluminium is about one third that of steel, copper or brass which means you get three times the length of tube if weight or cost is a major consideration.

Corrosion resistance & coatings

Like stainless steel, the thin oxide layer formed on exposure to air is strong and tenacious and imparts a high degree of resistance to many ambient atmospheres.

Anodising, simplistically the controlled pre-oxidation of aluminium, can further enhance resistance and colour anodising can enhance the appearance of the metal.

Plating, however, can cause problems if a galvanic cell is set up between plating and the aluminium substrate and specialist advice should be taken.

Strong but malleable

Aluminium and the alloys are fairly strong: high strength alloys can be treated to achieve 400 MPa (7075-T6 reaches 550 MPa), pure grades 150 MPa and alloyed grades typically 200 – 300 MPa. Unlike steel, aluminium alloys become stronger at low temperatures and do not suffer the ductile/brittle transition of steel. At these strengths aluminium becomes less easy to work but softer conditions allow fabrication prior to final heat treatment and strengthening.