There’s a lot to consider during the aluminum extrusion design process, from the desired profile shape to procurement costs and even options for special surface finishing. But one of the first considerations is to decide which aluminum alloy you will use. Using...
Aluminum extrusions are versatile, finding use in a wide range of industries and applications. But that diversity of applications also means your supplier’s inventory of standard profiles won’t cover every need. Many product designers encounter unique situations. You...
Every aluminum alloy has unique physical properties that make it suitable for specific applications. And heat treatment is a tool you can use to fine-tune those properties even further. Heat treatment involves the controlled heating and cooling of a product, in whole...
Corroded metal parts and products are something that most people have had experience with, most of the time in an unpleasant way. The corrosion of metal exposed to the elements must be treated carefully, as corroded parts will lose structural integrity and look...
Yes, you can powder coat aluminum! In fact, powder coating is one of the most popular aluminum surface finishes for a wide range of products. It provides additional durability to bare aluminum surfaces and comes in a wide range of eye-catching colors. Here we...
Aluminum is an excellent material that brings a lot of valuable qualities to the table. Its unique combination of properties makes it the most popular non-ferrous metal in the world today. And it's also often compared to the world's most widely used group of metals,...
To those who aren’t familiar with aluminum production and manufacturing, aluminum extrusion may seem like a specialized industrial process. Something that isn’t very relatable to the average person. But we are surrounded by aluminum extrusions every day, at home, at...
When evaluating aluminum for a product application, designers are typically most interested in properties like it’s high strength-to-weight ratio, its corrosion resistance, or even its value as a heat sink. This means aluminum’s melting point can easily be overlooked....
Aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant, but when that’s not enough, designers will need to choose a protective aluminum surface finish. Alodining is a popular finishing option for preventing corrosion while still allowing electrical conductivity through the...
As an engineer, material selection is one of the most important considerations when designing a new product or system. There are many different materials to choose from, and aluminum is an increasingly popular choice for many applications, from building construction...