Aluminum sheet metal is a highly versatile type of metal sheet that may be used in various applications and industries. It has chemical and structural properties that make it highly desirable and useful among other metal sheet options. At Howard Precision Metals, we do not level coil in for 10,000 lbs order like many other distributors do, instead we put our sawing expertise to work on sheet products. What do you do when you need a .125” thick sheet product cut to +/-.005” tolerance? You call the experts in tight tolerance cutting. Today, with the numerous electronics applications there is a need for sheet metal to be cut into thousands of small pieces to precise tolerances. That is where Howard Precision Metals and their sawing experience comes in handy.

What is Aluminum Sheet Metal?

The production of aluminum sheet metal is carried out when aluminum material is pressed and rolled under high pressure. Aluminum sheets are generally lightweight but also possess sufficient strength to be useful in numerous industry applications. Aluminum metal sheet is exceptionally versatile and is easy to manufacture, making it among the most popular of the metal sheets available on the market.

Different coatings and surface finishing’s are also available for aluminum sheet metal.

Prior to purchasing aluminum metal sheet, it is important to know the important features that characterize this metal. Some of the most significant benefits of aluminum metal sheet are as follows:

Lightweight

Aluminum sheet is about 1/3 the weight of steel sheet, making it one of the lightest metal sheets on the market. This makes the sheet easy to handle and it also helps reduce the weight of structures when this is important for cost.

Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion is a problem in many environments and industry settings. Aluminum is one those materials that does not easily corrode. It takes exceptional aggressive corrosive forces to cause corrosion in aluminum sheet with some alloys having more corrosive resistance than others.

Strength

Although aluminum sheet metal is lightweight, it is also quite strong at the same time. Because of its strength, combined with its lightweight feature, it is highly useful in various industrial applications. It is a durable and cost-effective shape for handling forces and stresses produced in a number of structural applications.

Formability

The melting point of aluminum sheet meal is relatively low. As a result, it can be formed easily into various shapes when it is placed under a certain level of heat.

Usable for Sensitive Applications

Aluminum metal sheet is ideal for use in food and chemical packaging. It does not react with many other materials too easily and therefore there is no concern for the aluminum sheet to negatively affect the food.

Reflectivity

Aluminum sheet metal is ideal for applications involving lighting due to its reflectivity, which means it reflects light and heat away from its surface.

Fireproof

When exposed to fire, aluminum sheet metals are resistant to burning, with only a thin layer of the sheet metal becoming affected. Also, when exposed to intense heat, aluminum sheet metal does not emit toxic gas.

Recyclable

Aluminum sheet is also recyclable – this is one of the characteristics of aluminum sheet that is most recognized and used. Many aluminum metals in use today have been recycled.

Offered in Multiple Thickness

You can choose aluminum sheet metal in various thicknesses and sizes as it comes in multiple dimensions.

Affordably Priced

Even though aluminum metal sheet offers a range of benefits, it is not very expensive when compared to many other metal options. However, its affordability does not diminish its quality and usefulness for a wide array of applications. Aluminum sheet metal is simply the ideal choice for many companies seeking a lightweight, yet strong and flexible metal.

Applicable for a Range of Industrial Uses

Many times, the use of aluminum sheet will be based on the thickness of the metal chosen. Small scale applications tend to utilize thinner sheets of aluminum. This is where the subject of sheet metal gauge becomes important. The gauge of sheet metal allows you to know its thickness and whether it is ideal for your application.

As a highly versatile metal, aluminum sheet is used in a vast array of applications in numerous industries. The applications to which this form of aluminum is applied range from small and sensitive to large scale.

As a metal that is useful in so many industries, you can actually find this metal almost everywhere. It is commonly used for cookware and for packaging in the food and beverage industry. Aluminum sheet is also often used for the bodies and framing of motor vehicles. This metal sheet is also often used in the building and construction industry for items that include sidings, drains, and much more.

Aluminum metal sheet is also ideal for the purpose of manufacturing metal nameplates and other similar items. Aluminum sheets are used often for making motor vehicle number plates due to the fact they are available at a reasonable cost and are corrosion resistant, lightweight, and require minimal maintenance.

To learn how our team at Howard Precision Metals can supply you with the aluminum sheet metal you need for your applications, give us a call today at or send us a request for quote.

Direct Aluminum Extrusion

The most common method of extrusion involves the use of the direct aluminum extrusion presses. This method involves the placement of a billet of heated aluminum into a walled container. The aluminum is pressed through the mold (or die) with a ram. This part of the process involves a tremendous amount of pressure, which may be in the range of 100 to 15,000 tons or more. The size of the shape that may be produced through this process is proportional to the pressure capacity of the aluminum press used.

During this step of the process, a dummy block of material is positioned between the heated aluminum billet and the ram in order to prevent these elements from contacting one another. The action of the billet and ram moving forward in the same direction has led to this method being called the forward aluminum extrusion process.

The ram applies pressure, and the aluminum billet is pushed through the hole of the mold. When 6061-T6511 aluminum extrusions stock is manufactured, water quenching is then applied to the hot extruded aluminum profiles. They are then stretched and cut to the desired length. This is the most frequently used method of generating aluminum extrusions.

Advantages of Direct Extrusion

There are a number of advantages to direct extrusion, including:

Can extrude longer workpieces

Operational flexibility

Low cost per component

Continuous operation

During hot extrusion, modifications after the process are easy due to the product’s heated condition

May use various kinds of raw materials

High production volumes are possible

Good surface finish

Good compounding (mixing)

Cold extrusion produces good mechanical properties

The direct extrusion method is the most common one in use to produce stock aluminum extrusions. This direct extrusion method is simple in nature and allows for the production of more intricate shapes. Despite the need for greater force with this method, its ability to produce more complex shapes is the reason why this method is often preferred during the manufacturing process.

Disadvantages of Direct Extrusion

One of the drawbacks of the direct extrusion process is that the force required to extrude the material (the billet) is greater than what is needed through indirect extrusion. The reason for this is the frictional forces that are introduced as the billet travels through the entire length of the container. The greatest level of force occurs at the beginning of the direct extrusion process and it steadily decreases. The butt end of the billet is not used due to the fact that at the billet’s end the force is increased significantly because of the thin material at this stage and that it flows radially to depart from the die.

Friction, as alluded to above, is an issue with direct extrusions because of the type of motion that occurs between the cylinder walls and heated metal billet. Lubricants may be used to reduce this friction. With direct extrusion, the process is completed quickly, and the cylinder is cooled prior to additional extrusion in order to reduce equipment damage.

A Reliable Source for Your Aluminum Needs

At Howard Precision Metals we know the ins and outs of aluminum as one of the biggest 100% aluminum service centers in the nation. We have more precision high speed saws than any of our competitors. Regardless of the size required, we are capable handling your requirements for stock aluminum extrusions and cutting your aluminum plate. We serve customers in an array of industries with the aluminum skills, resources, and experience our team possesses.

If you are in need of aluminum extrusions, aluminum sheet, or aluminum plate, we are here to help as a trusted source among aluminum extrusion suppliers. Give our team at Howard Precision Metals a call today at 800.444.0311 or send us a request for quote to learn how we can serve you with our aluminum products.

Month: May 2021

What are the Benefits of Aluminum Sheet Metal?