Although metal fabrication is often done with steel or stainless steel these days, there can be little doubt that aluminium remains one of the most popular metals for working with. It is suited to a wide variety of fabrication projects and is often considered as a good all-rounder. The fact is that aluminium is used in a huge number of everyday products, such as drinks cans and food packaging, so the general public is already used to handling it. Why is it also such a good choice of material for fabrication projects?
Strength to Price
Thin aluminium which is made into a pliable foil is not really suited to fabrication works, but thick sections of it are incredibly strong. Aluminium has a high tensile strength which means it can support its own weight well, even over considerable spans. This innate strength is not too pricey, however. Compared with other strong metals, aluminium is relatively cost-effective and, therefore, often preferred to alternatives such as tungsten.
Durability
Using a strong metal for a fabrication project is one thing but it needs to be durable, too, so that it remains strong once the project has been completed. As such, aluminium is often favoured because it continues to offer the same level of performance for many years to come. Fabricated aluminium railings, gates and even roofs are known to last well in excess of their typical 35-year lifespans. Even when exposed to the sun, rain and ice, aluminium will continue to perform and look good.
Corrosion Resistance
Exposure to oxygen makes many metals age. Steel fabrications often need to be coated with lacquer and paint to protect them from rusting. In many cases, galvanised metal is used to keep the sub-structure protected from corrosion. This is not the case with aluminium, which oxidises in such a way that it is almost fully protected underneath the outer layer of molecules. For this reason, aluminium is often used for maritime fabrication projects, such as quayside balustrades, for example. You'll even see aluminium being used underwater where it will be exposed to salt.
Easy Extrusion
Unlike some metals, aluminium can be forced through extrusion dies without much fuss. The metal will become ductile and malleable without a great deal of energy costs involved to liquefy it. This means that it is ideal for fabrication projects which will use sections of extruded metal that need a certain type of profile. For this reason, extruded aluminium sections are often used in things like double-glazing window frames, for instance.