Because aluminum is the third most abundant element on Earth after oxygen and silicon, it is readily available and commonly mined. As a standalone element, aluminum is not very strong. However, alloying aluminum with other metals can make is as strong as steel. Because aluminum is easily processed, aluminum alloys are available in many shapes and products, like 6061 extruded aluminum bar stock. With such abundance of product comes no shortage of aluminum supply companies either. With over 90 years of metals industry experience and a 100% aluminum inventory, let Howard Precision Metals be your premier aluminum extrusion distributor.
What Is Extruded Aluminum Bar Stock?
If you have ever played with a Play-Doh Fun Factory™ as a child, then you are already familiar with the extrusion process. Like the childhood toys, the extrusion process for aluminum is nearly identical. First, heated aluminum billet is pushed through a die of the desired shape, or cross-sectional profile. This results in long bars of what is referred to as aluminum extruded bar stock. This process is known as the aluminum extrusion process. While this process may seem simple, the resulting aluminum extruded bar shapes range from simple squares and circles up to very intricate and complex shapes, such as aluminum heat sinks or multi-hollow extruded aluminum shapes. Howard Precision Metals has partnerships with only the very best aluminum extrusion mills. Therefore, our team is able to offer an impressive, in-stock 6061 aluminum bar stock inventory as well as the ability to create custom aluminum extruded shapes in various aluminum alloys for our customers.
What are the Benefits of Aluminum Extrusions?
First, it is important to know that terms like aluminum bar stock or aluminum extrusions do not just refer to squares and rectangles. Terms like these are loosely used in the aluminum industry to also encompass aluminum round stock, aluminum hex, aluminum tubing, custom aluminum shapes, and any other lineal aluminum product. With such a wide range of shapes and sizes, extruded aluminum shapes can help simplify the manufacturing process. By purchasing a near net aluminum extrusion instead of a piece of aluminum plate, customers spend less on initial material costs, have decreased machining times, and experience less wear on tooling. This results in the most important factor of any business: the profit margin. Because aluminum bar stock can reduce overall manufacturing costs, extruded shapes are preferred materials. We stock an expansive precision aluminum extrusion inventory at Howard Precision Metals. Click here to download our current in-stock aluminum bar stock offering.
Ordering In-Stock Aluminum Extrusions
When original equipment manufacturers, contractors, or fabricators order aluminum bar stock from Howard Precision Metals, we can process the orders a couple of ways. Usually, the extrusions are a one-time order and able to ship the same business day from our inclusive, in-house inventory. However, we are also an aluminum bar supplier equipped to handle large, reoccurring orders for aluminum extrusions. Our partnerships with our aluminum mills afford us extremely short material in-house dates for items and quantities that may not be readily available in-stock. As a result, large orders of aluminum extrusions are delivered to our facility with in very shot time. This results in competitive delivered lead times for you and your customers. No matter which type of order, large or small, our team is committed to delivering the fastest possible lead times of only the highest quality aluminum extrusions.
What is Unique about Manifold Quality Bar Stock?
When compared against other aluminum extrusions, manifold quality aluminum bar stock offers enhanced and repeatable performance. With focus on lot-to-lot and piece-to-piece consistency, improvements of 6061-T6511 manifold quality extrusions include: increased hardness, enhanced mechanical strength, dimensional control, smaller chip sizes, reduced burring, improved flatness and straightness, and the ability to undergo complex machining processes that include high metal removal rates. In addition, all manifold quality bar stock items stocked at Howard Precision Metals are produced to half-commercial, plus-side only tolerances. Manifold quality aluminum extrusions are available in squares, .875” through 7.0”, and rectangles, beginning with 1.00” x 1.25” and up through 6.00” x 8.00”. Our premier mill sources also have the ability to produce custom rectangles and squares to manifold tolerances and specifications. Because we stock an extensive supply of manifold quality bar stock and offer custom aluminum sizes as well, Howard Precision Metals can supply the size you need.
When Should You Consider a Custom Aluminum Extruded Shape?
Extruded aluminum shapes are wonderful options for production of aluminum parts. But what happens when you need a shape or size that is commonly stocked? Easy. Consider a custom aluminum extruded shape for your job! Whether you need a non-standard size of a common shape, like 3.80” square, or an intricate hollow shape filled with geometry, custom aluminum extrusions can fit the build. Let our team put our experience and mill connections to work for you. We are partnered with the best aluminum extruders in the country. By offering exceptional tolerances, consistency, and reasonable lead times, our customers save both time and money by tooling new custom aluminum extrusions. To begin a custom aluminum extrusion quote and to upload drawings, fill out our request a quote form on our website. For more information, call one of our aluminum experts today at 800.444.0311.
