How To Choose The Right Aluminium Section Profile

Aluminium section profiles are used in a wide variety of applications, from construction to transportation to consumer products. When choosing the right aluminium section profile for your application, there are a number of factors to consider, including the strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and cost.

Strength

The strength of an aluminium section profile is determined by its alloy composition and temper. The most common alloy used for aluminium section profiles is 6061, which is a strong and corrosion-resistant alloy. Other alloys that are commonly used include 6063, which is a more ductile alloy, and 7075, which is a high-strength alloy.

The temper of an aluminium section profile refers to the heat treatment that it has been subjected to. The most common tempers for aluminium section profiles are T6 and T4. T6 is a high-strength temper that is achieved by quenching the aluminium alloy in water after it has been heated. T4 is a lower-strength temper that is achieved by quenching the aluminium alloy in air after it has been heated.

Weight

The weight of an aluminium section profile is determined by its density and its cross-sectional area. The density of aluminium is 2.7 g/cm3, which is about one-third the density of steel. This makes aluminium section profiles a good choice for applications where weight is a concern.

The cross-sectional area of an aluminium section profile is the area of the profile’s cross-section. A larger cross-sectional area will result in a heavier profile.

Corrosion Resistance

Aluminium is a naturally corrosion-resistant metal. However, the corrosion resistance of an aluminium section profile can be affected by its alloy composition, its temper, and its surface finish.

The alloy composition of an aluminium section profile can affect its corrosion resistance. Alloys that contain copper are more corrosion-resistant than alloys that do not contain copper.

The temper of an aluminium section profile can also affect its corrosion resistance. T6 tempers are more corrosion-resistant than T4 tempers.

The surface finish of an aluminium section profile can also affect its corrosion resistance. Anodizing is a process that can be used to improve the corrosion resistance of aluminium section profiles.

Cost

The cost of an aluminium section profile is determined by its alloy composition, its temper, its cross-sectional area, and its surface finish. Alloys that are more corrosion-resistant are more expensive than alloys that are less corrosion-resistant. Tempers that are more corrosion-resistant are also more expensive than tempers that are less corrosion-resistant. Larger cross-sectional areas will result in more expensive profiles. Anodizing will also increase the cost of a profile.

Other Factors

In addition to the factors discussed above, there are a number of other factors that you may want to consider when choosing an aluminium section profile. These factors include:

Formability: The formability of an aluminium section profile refers to its ability to be bent or formed without cracking.

Weldability: The weldability of an aluminium section profile refers to its ability to be welded.

Machinability: The machinability of an aluminium section profile refers to its ability to be machined.

Electrical conductivity: The electrical conductivity of an aluminium section profile refers to its ability to conduct electricity.

Thermal conductivity: The thermal conductivity of an aluminium section profile refers to its ability to conduct heat.

By considering all of these factors, you can choose the right aluminium section profile for your application.