Aluminum sheet metal has nearly endless applications across a range of industries and is used in automotive and aircraft body panels, electrical housings, tools and equipment, cookware and appliances, roofing, and many other common parts and products. Here are six key advantages of aluminum sheet metal that make it so popular:
Aluminum is a lightweight material that is almost three times lighter than steel. In fact, aluminum has a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel, which is why it is often used in the automotive and aerospace industries—it reduces dead weight, and therefore energy consumption, in these vehicles, allowing for better load capacity than steel and other metals.
Aluminum is non-ferromagnetic, which means it does not cause magnetic interference. This characteristic makes it the ideal material for use in electrical applications.
When aluminum is exposed to an oxidizing environment, an aluminum-oxide coating naturally forms on the exterior to protect it from corrosion. This layer of protection can be strengthened by anodizing or powder coating the material.
Thanks to its impressive strength-to-weight ratio and natural resistance to corrosion, aluminum sheet metal is extra durable. It can withstand exposure to extreme temperatures and hold up well to general wear and tear. In fact, aluminum can be engineered to match the strength of steel, providing a long-term product or component.
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and it outperforms copper in electrical applications. For instance, aluminum requires only about half the weight of copper to deliver the same amount of electrical resistance, making it ideal for use in computer motherboards, electrical housings, and LED lights.
Aluminum is unique in that it retains all of its original properties no matter how long it is used. That means, when its work is done in one particular application, it can be recycled for the next. In fact, aluminum is 100% recyclable, and working with recycled aluminum is more cost-effective for professional fabricators than purchasing aluminum freshly mined out of the ground.
There are many processes that go into fabricating aluminum sheet metal, including forming it into specific shapes and cutting unique profiles out of it. Typically, a metal fabricator will use advanced equipment, like a CNC plasma cutter, to precisely process the aluminum according to the requirements of the project at hand.
Machitech is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty CNC plasma cutting tables and other custom fabrication equipment for aluminum fabrication. Our solutions are fully customizable and include free and unlimited support for life. Contact Machitech today to learn more.
Aluminum is a versatile material with a wide array of useful characteristics. As a result, aluminum sheet metal fabrication is a popular (and prudent) choice for all kinds of projects.
Lightweight
One of the most obvious advantages of aluminum for sheet metal fabrication is its weight. Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel, without being significantly less durable. This makes aluminum excellent for applications where a heavy material could impede the functionality of the finished product.
Corrosion Resistant
Another advantage of aluminum is that it is naturally corrosion resistant. While other materials, like steel, need to be treated with special finishes to avoid rusting, aluminum does not. Consequently, aluminum sheet metal fabrication is great for outdoor applications where corrosion could become a major concern.
Versatile
Aluminum is highly ductile, which means it can be molded into new shapes both easily and well. As a result, aluminum sheet metal fabrication can be used to create a wide variety of parts — including those with particularly challenging design specifications.
Cost-Effective
In addition to providing myriad useful properties, aluminum is highly cost-effective. Fabricating aluminum is often a faster, simpler process than fabricating other metals like steel, which means that it is generally cheaper as well. If you need components that are both high-quality and budget-friendly, aluminum may be the right material choice for you.
To learn more about the advantages of aluminum sheet metal fabrication, or to discuss your next metal fabrication project, contact Stone City Products today. Call us at (800) 960-3373 or send an email to info@stonecityproducts.com.