Tag: Aluminum

May 5, 2020

Qualities To Look For In An Aluminum Supplier

What are the qualities that you should look for in aluminum suppliers?

Expertise
Quality of Products
Is Their Delivery In High Standards?
Competitive Prices
Professional Background

No matter what your reasons are for requiring aluminum, we’re sure that you deserve the best with the most appropriate material to get the job done efficiently and effectively. Especially if you are a business that requires this to complete your machining, structural, or architectural endeavors.

Your standards for the qualities of an aluminum supplier are likely high. In this day and age, there are many vendors who supply aluminum. It is always essential to run down the qualities of each supplier to deliver you nothing less than quality and dependability for your money.

To provide you only the best experience and quality material, here are the five qualities you should be looking into when you’re looking for an aluminum supplier.

Expertise

If you’re looking for high-quality material, you’re going to need an aluminum supplier that possesses comprehensive and thorough knowledge about the product and its market. Companies that lack in this may result in you purchasing products that can be easily damaged. The expertise of the company will also ensure you, the customer, that you are not being supplied with faulty products.

This will also help first-time customers who are looking for the best aluminum that can cater to their needs and use. Does the company have product diversification? High-quality and reputable companies will be more than happy to assist you with their expert advice in the process of finding the best aluminum they have in store for you.

Quality of Products

The quality of the products of an aluminum supplier is one of the factors that should take center stage. There is no doubt that you only want the best for your projects, and sticking to quality will benefit you greatly along the way. When you are provided with quality items, it will last longer compared to purchasing items that would spoil in a short amount of time.

Additionally, if the aluminum you purchase is in high standards, it will surely work more effectively. Hence, if you are on the lookout for the best aluminum supplier, make sure that you are looking into the quality of their products.

Is Their Delivery In High Standards?

When do you need your projects to be done? If you are strict in your timeframe matters, look for a company and a supplier that values service and delivery performance. Time is a very important resource.

A good aluminum supplier is reliable and has prompt service. They should be able to follow through with their commitment to delivering the material on the day it was promised. The last thing you need is a supplier that doesn’t value your time or your business.

Make sure that the company you will be choosing to supply your aluminum has the inventory, tools, and work pool to comply with even the most complex orders quickly, efficiently, and reasonably. Along the way, your aluminum materials should also be handled with care on the way to delivery.

They should be packaged and handled appropriately. This way, you will feel confident that your project will be put into good hands and will be accomplished in due time.

Competitive Prices

We know the value of money for any customer. The last thing you want is to get ripped off when making a transaction. Keep in mind that when you are on the lookout for an aluminum supplier, fair pricing should always be considered, especially if you’re looking to purchase aluminum in large quantities.

A great supplier should comply with your budget and give you the most out of your hard-earned money. Lastly, they should also be transparent with you based on the price of their product, the processing, packaging, and shipping.

Professional Background

The internet is a great platform to see how reputable the aluminum supplier is. Do they have a social media presence? Do they own a website? Use these platforms as an advantage to see how professional the supplier is. Their professional background is one of the key determinants.

Take into consideration the satisfaction and reviews from their previous clients and customers as well. These are the best ways to gauge if a supplier provides quality products and excellent service.

Key Takeaway

Use this guideline as a reference point when you are searching for the best aluminum supplier in the market. Looking at the qualities of an aluminum supplier will not only give you the best quality aluminum material, but it will also help build trust between you and your supplier.

Established in 2011, One Sky continues to be the best aluminum and stainless supply enterprise in the Philippines. If you are looking for quality material and great service, we will be more than happy to assist you with your needs. Click here for more details!

April 28, 2020

Why You Should Consider Aluminum Furniture

Gray Fabric Padded Sofa And Glass Top Coffee Table Inside 1571467

What are the benefits of aluminum furniture?

Aluminum furniture is lightweight
Offered in a wide range of designs
It is rust-free
Low maintenance furniture
Highly durable and versatile
It is weatherproof
Aluminum is very affordable

The many benefits of aluminum furniture are easily seen in the way it livens up an interior design or an outdoor space. Although it is apparent that aluminum furniture has the potential to be the most popular furniture choice for homes, people shy away from getting their own set for themselves because they don’t fully know the advantages of aluminum. If you are one of those people who are hesitant to look at the selection of aluminum furniture near you, then this article is for you. Learn more about it below!

Aluminum Furniture Is Lightweight

Redecorating your home can be difficult if your furniture is not made to be moved around. You won’t have a problem with this if you have aluminum furniture in your home. If you plan on rearranging your furniture every once in a while, aluminum is a great choice since you would not spend too much effort dragging or pushing it around. It is not very heavy in comparison to other types of furniture. The material is easy to pick up and therefore it wouldn’t be too much of a burden to move it around the house which is very useful if you are used to arranging your home a certain way.

Offered in a Wide Range of Designs

Aluminum furniture styles can suit any preference of a person due to the wide variety of designs available in the market. There is a myriad of variations that can range from classic looks to a modern feel. With many options to choose from in the market, you can envision many types of atmosphere or setting for your home.

There are many surface finishes that you can also choose from starting with a smooth surface, textured, or even grainy. If you are looking for a more rugged down look, you can also choose a weathered-down version or a “distressed” look. Your color preferences can also be accommodated with cool or earth tones.

It Is Rust-Proof

If you are considering using aluminum furniture as an outdoor piece then you are in luck because this material is rust-proof. This is one of the unbelievable characteristics of aluminum furniture because you wouldn’t need to worry about damaging it while you place them outside. Not only is it stylish but it is fully functional as well. Whether you expose the furniture to direct sunlight or rainfall, then it wouldn’t rust in comparison to iron or steel. Knowing that it can withstand corrosion and rust can help you determine if aluminum is the right furniture choice for you.

Low Maintenance Furniture

Since aluminum is technically rust-free, it also stands to reason that you don’t have to be too meticulous in maintaining it. You wouldn’t need to take care of it every chance you get but you can still be guaranteed that you can retain the distinct look of aluminum furniture. It is consistent in design without requiring too much maintenance. Cleaning it is easy as pie since you just need to hose it down with water and that’s it. Considering that it is rust-free, this cleaning method will not dull down its appearance or function for your home.

Highly Durable and Versatile

Strength is one of the many benefits of aluminum furniture because it will be able to withstand rusting or chipping all while maintaining its tough and sturdy quality. Most aluminum furniture suppliers are known to construct products of the highest durability which is why this is a major benefit of this furniture type. The long lifespan of aluminum aims to deliver the best in furniture quality which is especially exhibited by its corrosion-free functionality. This type of furniture is also less likely to bend or deform under its weight which should be one of your primary considerations when you are choosing furniture.

It Is Weatherproof

Aluminum can be used in different weather conditions as well. It can withstand extreme temperatures, whether it is warm or cold. For those who are looking at aluminum furniture as material for their outdoor or open spaces, the weatherproof component will be beneficial in the long run. It would be even better if your furniture is made from untreated aluminum because its oxide layer provides more weather resistance.

Aluminum Is Affordable

Furniture doesn’t have to be very expensive. If you can find one that is pleasing to the eye, extremely functional and does a good job of complementing the overall look of your home, then you are all set. This is what aluminum furniture is. Because it is affordable for everyone, more people in the market are realizing how they can benefit from this type of furniture. Investing in aluminum furniture will be worth it and you will see it when the prior benefits mentioned here are exhibited in the set that you will use for your home.

Key Takeaway

These are just some of the advantages of aluminum furniture. If you want to explore more about it, the best choice is to purchase one for yourself and see its greatest functionalities. The benefits of aluminum furniture don’t simply lie in their aesthetic purposes. It also increases the functionality of your home fixtures. Although it is offered in many types, aluminum is not just about design. You would be surprised how functional it can be as a part of your home, so why not make the necessary switch to aluminum furniture today?

March 26, 2020

Benefits of Aluminum Railings

Are you at a crossroads on what material you should use for your railings? Should it be steel, wood, vinyl or aluminum? What you decide now will be committed to construction and will probably be set for years to come, so you have to choose wisely. With all of its advantages, aluminum is the most ideal option. Why? Let’s take a look at the many benefits of aluminum railings, and why it is the optimal choice of material and make for your new veranda, deck or patio.

Material Strength

No matter what shape or size it’s melded into, aluminum has a very sturdy composition and can withstand various alterations while still maintaining its durability vs. wear and tear over time. It’s a tenacious metal that holds well regardless of how it’s used. Aluminum is also very lightweight and can be easily transported to the project site, which is a plus for contractors. But that’s why some people misconstrue aluminum as a softer metal, because it’s seen in the market as aluminum foil or aluminum cans – but don’t mistake its versatility for weakness! It’s also used in heavy-duty construction, with a very impressive strength vs. weight ratio. Aluminum can also be augmented with other alloy metals. Remember that it is also used for industrial applications, in putting up buildings, bridges and the like.

Style Applications

Playing to its other strength of tenacity and versatility, you can mold aluminum into more intricate and detailed designs, allowing you to craft even the most complex railing patterns to match your overall motif with virtually no limitations. Your outdoor deck can have a French Quarter inspired look, old-fashioned and traditional, or sleek and modern – you can bend and mold aluminum easily without worrying if it will stand the test of time. You can also apply a powder coating to add a splash color and vibrancy, to make your railings stand out even more. Whereas if you want to build with galvanized steel and add some color, you’ll have a difficult time making paint stick to the steel surface, and when it does, expect that it will peel off after some time anyway.

Less Maintenance

You won’t need to do any heavy-duty cleaning with aluminum. Nor will you even need to paint it, stain it, or have it treated; you can count on its powdered coating to protect it and maintain the railings in best condition. All you need is a handy rag or sponge, and then a good hose-down with water, but even this is a rarity and only a concern if you are extra meticulous about dust and dirt, otherwise you can just let it exist and bask for months on end.

Longevity and Resistance

Aluminum can withstand all the kinds of natural outside forces like rain, the hot sun, and its ultraviolet rays. What’s more, it will retain its composition and structure for many years without any alterations or deformations. Nor will it shrink or expand extensively due to external weather and temperature. Wood, on the other hand, will warp and deform over time, not to mention the possibility of rot and decay. Plus, you may need to treat it with chemicals.

In line with that, corrosion resistance is one of the best benefits of aluminum railings. Steel is sturdy and malleable, but it is also highly susceptible to rust. That will lead to discoloration and decrease the aesthetic value of the entire construction. It also becomes an added danger should there be any semi-sharp mold jutting out of the fixture, and rust can reduce the strength of the steel, making it brittle and decomposed. With aluminum, you can rest assured that it is rust-free in most environments, so dispel all these worries and enjoy the same view in the years to come.

Sustainable and Recyclable

And for those who are looking at the long-term, consciously making choices that benefit and consider the environment, then aluminum is the material you should definitely use and explore for all your building projects. Aluminum is recyclable and reusable, to the point where waste segregation services will separate aluminum items because they have great utility and retain high value even after disposal. It will not be smushed into the heaps of undesirable by-products like plastic but all other prospective materials, like wood, steel composites, and vinyl, will definitely be only good for one-time use and get discarded without a second look.

Key Takeaway

As you build your outdoor deck, and actually, for any railings that you plan to have made, make the smart choice and go aluminum. With all the benefits of aluminum railings in virtually all aspects over the alternatives – in composition strength, aesthetic malleability, overall lifespan, and reusability, you can be sure that you won’t regret your decision in the long-run.

February 20, 2020

How Aluminum is Strengthened

What are the best ways of strengthening aluminum?

Cold working
Heat treatment
Alloying aluminum
Natural aging

Aluminum is one of the most abundant substances on the planet. People encounter this element most frequently at grocery stores as one of the most widely-used types of beverage containers. The food industry has been taking advantage of aluminum’s highly-malleable properties, and in turn, the consumer also largely benefits from it. There are many ways of strengthening aluminum to make it more useful in various types of manufacturing processes outside of the food industry. It can be molded and transformed into a material that can be used for architectural, or transportation implements. The list below will hopefully provide you with brief information on the various ways present to strengthen this highly-versatile material.

Cold working

The average person knows that one of the ways by which malleable types of metals are shaped is through the application of heat. A popular image that might cross people’s minds involves that of a blacksmith pounding heavily on his anvil, in order to shape a particular material into the desired figure.

There is, however, another type of way by which metals are transformed in order for them to acquire highly-desirable properties, and this is called cold working.

The process of cold working is most commonly used for steel, aluminum, and copper. Instead of subjecting the metal to high levels of heat, cold working aluminum involves exposing it to temperatures that are far below the recrystallization point of the metal. In its simplest sense, the recrystallization point, or temperature, is the point below the metal or material’s melting point. Exposing aluminum to such temperature levels alters its crystalline structure, thereby strengthening it.

The downside of cold working aluminum is that it inevitably reduces the rate at which it is able to change shape before breaking. Despite this, however, its properties remain considerably stronger than before the conduction of the process.

Heat treatment

Strengthening aluminum by the application of heat is perhaps one of the most common processes to achieve the goal. This application of heat, however, is not simply the mere exposure of aluminum to a furnace, or a stove. Every single element of the heat-treatment process must be meticulously examined and monitored, in order to strengthen aluminum successfully. There are various ways of heat-treating aluminum such as homogenizing, annealing, and precipitation, just to name a few.

Homogenizing aluminum involves the redistribution of precipitating alloying elements. Simply put, a precipitate is an insoluble solid emerging from a liquid solution. This process involves three stages, namely heating-up, soaking, and cool down. Usually, this process is conducted through the application of heat in temperatures ranging from 450 to 600 degrees Celsius.

On the other hand, annealing is a process that is conducted usually after a metal has undergone cold-working. Through this process, the metal’s ability to deform without getting fractured increases. The hardness of aluminum is also reduced after undergoing this stage. Annealing has another benefit which improves a tool’s machinability. This is especially useful, particularly for tools like aluminum hammers, in that the tool’s wear and tear might be significantly reduced.

Lastly, the precipitation process involves the complete precipitation of dissolved elements, at temperatures ranging from 240 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. This process will enable aluminum to reach its maximum hardness.

Alloying aluminum

The concept of combining two or more metals in order to produce a stronger metal is not a foreign concept. This process has been existing for around 5000 years, wherein these metals are first melted before dissolving them into each other. Following this logic, combining aluminum with the right type of metal can strengthen it, exposing itself to further possibilities with regards to its industrial usages.

Some of the most common metals by which aluminum is frequently alloyed with are silicon, zinc, magnesium, and copper.

An aluminum-zinc alloy will produce a tool useful in the construction industry, called the brazing rod. Similar to welding, brazing is a type of metal-joining technique. Through this process, the pure aluminum alloy has been repurposed, to become more useful in the field of construction.

Natural aging

You might be wondering how exactly leaving an aluminum alloy by itself would strengthen it, but this process is also related to precipitation. Briefly, once more, precipitation involves the dissolution of elements at certain temperatures. Naturally aging a metal, on the other hand, does not require any heat intervention.

This process usually occurs at room temperatures and takes just a little under a week for the aluminum to reach its full strength. Essentially, allowing the elements within the metal naturally dissolve over a given period of time would strengthen the aluminum.

If you’re someone looking to cut down costs on expending energy, this process would be the best fit for you, as it does not require too many complex tools and processes.

Key Takeaway

There are unlimited ways of strengthening aluminum. Just some of the most important factors to consider are the availability of tools, the complexity of the process, and the available time period. This guide has hopefully given you an idea of the various ways to improve aluminum and to make it more useful in a variety of other processes.

February 12, 2020

The Role of Aluminum in Heat Transfer Processes

What does aluminum do for heat transfer processes?

The basics of heat transfer
Aluminum has two key qualities that make it optimal for heat transfer
How hot is too hot?

The miracle metal, aluminum, is one of the most used materials in the world for almost countless purposes. While you might know of its importance in the aviation and automotive manufacturing industries, one lesser-known purpose that aluminum is best at is in heat transfer or exchange.

The thermal conductivity of aluminum, as one of its best-known properties, makes it all happen — but there are other factors that enable this metal. Continue reading to learn more because this can potentially help you with your heat transfer issues or endeavors.

The basics of heat transfer

If you want to understand why aluminum is one of the best materials for heat transfer processes, a basic understanding of heat transfer itself is required. In the context of industrial processes, heat transfer would refer to the exchange of heat generated by a device to a different medium like a liquid coolant or air. This exchange disperses the generated heat and helps the device maintain a certain or desired level of temperature.

While it may seem complicated, you can see this being employed in the many appliances you have at home. As long as there is unwanted heat being generated and/or temperature regulation is required, you can be sure that heat transfer is present and almost always involving a heat exchanger. Common examples of heat exchangers include engine coolants, radiators, condensers, and heat sinks.

Using a heat sink as an example, there are several important factors that will affect its overall performance and efficiency: air velocity, the material it is made off, the design of its protrusion, and the surface treatment. This is where aluminum comes into the picture because its properties make it one of the best materials for effective heat transfer.

Aluminum has two key qualities that make it optimal for heat transfer

In terms of its specific properties, there are two standout characteristics that make it almost perfect for heat transfer applications: thermal conductivity and malleability.

The thermal conductivity of aluminum is only second to copper in terms of the most common metals used for industrial purposes, but aluminum is lighter and more cost-effective and that gives it a competitive edge. To top it all off, aluminum is also a good reflector of heat and that makes it an even better material for heat exchangers and/or heat shields.

Aside from its excellent thermal conductivity, aluminum alloys are also very malleable. From complex shapes and dimensions to high-volume applications like foils, sheets, and fins, manufacturers can make heat sink designs that are tailored to a given client’s needs or requests. Complementing this malleable property is aluminum’s low melting temperature that makes it easier to process without sacrificing any structural integrity.

When you factor in its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and affordability, aluminum has the right combination of properties that make it the optimal material for heat exchanges.

How hot is too hot?

Since we are on the subject of heat, one question begging to be asked is how hot is too hot for aluminum? You might readily assume that good thermal conductivity translates to immunity to melting, but that is not the case. Metals, aluminum or otherwise, will still deform and even melt when exposed to a high enough temperature and for extended periods of time.

This means that it’s essential that you know your material’s melting point and how much heat it can withstand before using it in an application. Aluminum has a melting point of 660.3°C, but that only applies to pure aluminum. Alloys that incorporate other elements like copper, scandium, and magnesium can have a melting point of up to 690.5°C.

Key Takeaway

Understanding why aluminum is the best material for your heat exchangers is important because other materials simply do not give you the same utility and performance. It has all the characteristics you would want for heat transfers and to top it all off, aluminum is affordable and versatile. Given all the amazing properties that aluminum has, don’t miss out on the chance to use it for your heat exchange endeavors.

February 11, 2020February 12, 2020

What Manufacturers Need to Know About Forming Aluminum

What do manufacturers need to know when it comes to forming aluminum?

There are many challenges that come with forming aluminum
Choosing the right forming methods is crucial
The type of aluminum alloy is also important

Aluminum is one of the most used metal alloys in the world. Given its widespread use and popularity, you might be thinking that it is easy to use, manufacture, and form. However, that is simply not true and many people who are inexperienced with aluminum almost always turn to other materials like stainless steel once they understand the difficulty of forming aluminum. This shouldn’t be the case because people are going to miss out on the amazing lightweight, malleable, and corrosion-resistant properties of aluminum.

If you are thinking of getting into metal manufacturing or simply want to be in the know regarding the nitty-gritty behind aluminum forming, then continue reading.

There are many challenges that come with forming aluminum

As stated above, forming aluminum is not the simplest thing to do in the world. There are many challenges that come with doing this because, unlike other popular metals, elasticity is not one of aluminum’s best properties or strong suits.

Elasticity refers to the ability of a metal to elongate or stretch and return back to its normal shape without deformation, akin to rubber. This deficiency in elasticity that aluminum has can be seen in aluminum foil wherein it forms wrinkles when used and leaves little room for reusability.

When applied to forming aluminum profiles, not using the right methods or alloys can also result in wrinkling and this is something that should be avoided. Aside from elasticity, not using a lubricant while forming aluminum can cause adhesive wear on both the metal and the forming tools you are using. Adhesive wear is when there is material transfer or loss between two solid surfaces that are in direct contact by way of localized bonding. Put simply, this will greatly affect the surface quality of what you are trying to form, so you should also pay attention to some small details you might overlook like using a lubricant.

Choosing the right forming methods is crucial

Now that you know of the common challenges that aluminum forming entail, you should also do well to know that there are ways to work around them. The first thing you should think about is the type of forming method you are going to use. There are many ways to form aluminum like rolling or ‘compressive forming’, tensile forming, and bending. These are all very common, but are susceptible to the common pitfalls aluminum forming like wrinkling and mismanagement of the metal’s spring back — especially if you are trying to form complex shapes.

Hydroforming

Instead of the aforementioned methods, when given the chance, you can try to use ‘hydroforming’. This method has been more popular for forming steel alloys, but aluminum is slowly rising in popularity as a feed material because manufacturers are beginning to discover that hydroforming eliminates the possibility of wrinkling, while being a cost-effective option for the manufacturing of aluminum components, particularly hollow sections.

This process would entail placing an aluminum hollow section into a die or cast. Once the die is closed, the hollow section is sealed using axial cylinders. Only after this will the water or water emulsion fill the hollow section. Immense pressure is applied until the hollow section takes the form of the die. The reason aluminum manufacturers are turning to hydroforming is because the process is simple, yet effective. Aside from that, there are varying degrees of hydroforming (i.e. deep draw hydroforming and fluid cell forming), depending on how complex or deep the resulting aluminum component has to be.

Regardless of which method you choose, the most important thing is that you are knowledgeable on the proper way of forming aluminum through your preferred method.

The type of aluminum alloy is also important

Aside from the specific forming methods, you should also pay attention to the type of alloy you are going to use. Some types of aluminum alloys respond better to forming than others, so choose an appropriate one for your purposes. To do that, it is important to remember that aluminum alloys are generally grouped into different ‘families’ or series that have a designated 4-digit identification number.

As a general rule of thumb, the best series of aluminum alloys to use for forming are the 1-series (i.e. 1xxx) and the 8-series (8xxx). The 3, 4, and 5-series are all also relatively formable. Avoid using the 2 and 7-series of aluminum alloys because they are not very formable, but are better used for machining. If it seems confusing, just remember the first digit of the aluminum identification code and, as always, do extensive research.

Key Takeaway

Now that you have some important information regarding aluminum forming you are better prepared to form aluminum the proper way. As you have probably surmised from what you have read, forming aluminum is very complex so equip yourself with the right knowledge regarding this process and ensure a successful time forming your desired aluminum component or object.

February 10, 2020February 12, 2020

An In-Depth Look at Aluminum’s Strength

What are some important information regarding aluminum’s strength?

There are many classifications of strength
Aluminum can still be one of the strongest materials on earth
High-strength aluminum is everywhere

How strong is aluminum? This is a question that may or may not have popped up in your mind at some point. Perhaps the most common way you see it in your life is in the form of aluminum foil that you use for cooking and/or food storage. If you base your answer to the question on just aluminum foil, then you might not be getting the most accurate representation of aluminum’s strength.

Aluminum is actually stronger than one might think. Continue reading to learn more about it because it can potentially be helpful for you and your future production, manufacturing, or construction endeavors.

There are many classifications of strength

To understand the degrees of aluminum’s strength, you have to consider that there are many classifications that describe given metal’s strength and this can make it hard for people to evaluate how strong a metal truly is.

Here’s a short breakdown:

Compressive strength – this measures how well a metal can resist being compressed or otherwise compacted.
Impact strength – based on the name alone, this measures how much force a given metal can absorb from an object before shattering or breaking.
Tensile strength – this measures how well a metal can resist being pulled apart
Yield strength – finally, this measures the resistance of a metal to being bent or reshaped.

All these things can be measured through checking exactly how much pressure a metal can take before being compacted, broken/shattered, pulled apart, or bent. Another interesting thing to note here is that, when one metal excels at one kind of strength test, it tends to do poor or just average at a different kind of strength test.

Going back to aluminum, it probably will not come as a shock to you to find out that aluminum is not the best in class when compared to other metals like stainless steel or even regular steel when it comes to pure strength. Despite this, aluminum is not by any means considered to be ‘weak’ and is still one of the most used materials in the world, as you would come to read.

Aluminum can still be one of the strongest materials on earth

You would do well to know that ‘pure’ strength alone still doesn’t give you the most accurate picture of a given metal’s strength. Steel may be a stronger material under ideal conditions, but it tends to become brittle in cold temperatures. In contrast, aluminum isn’t bothered by changes in temperature, making it the more versatile material.

The ‘true’ strength of aluminum begins to show when you take its already decent tensile, impact, and compressive strength and factor in how malleable it is. In fact, the balance between aluminum’s malleability and strength is the reason why manufacturers prefer it over other materials — it can be shaped and formed according to specifications without losing strength or durability

Aside from that, aluminum’s shortcomings in pure strength can be remedied. This is done by combining pure aluminum with other elements like magnesium and silicon to form stronger alloys. Done properly, aluminum can be engineered to be equally strong if not stronger than some steel alloys.

High-strength aluminum is everywhere

As a testament to aluminum’s strength, it can be found virtually everywhere you go, even in the very machines you use to get to places. It is the second-most used material by car manufacturers. Planes and spacecraft are also reliant on aluminum. Skyscrapers are able to be built taller than ever thanks to aluminum, and if it were weak, then that can never be possible.

Aluminum alloys are also strong enough to protect you from shark attacks as it is the metal of choice for underwater cages that allow divers to observe sharks up close.

Key Takeaway

To recap what’s been said above, aluminum is comparably weaker than the strongest metals, but still decent in its own right. It also has other properties (e.g. malleability and unreactive to temperature) that more than make up for a relative lack of pure strength. Aside from that, really high-strength aluminum can be created by making new alloys and is found in products, machines, and structures almost everywhere you go.

Make sure you remember all these things the next time you start wondering how strong aluminum is. For everything related to aluminum and other industrial materials, click here.

January 7, 2020

Thermal Conductivity in Stainless Steel and Aluminum

How are stainless steel and aluminum different in terms of thermal conductivity?

Aluminum has better thermal conductivity
High and low thermal conductivity are both useful
Industries that benefit from high or low thermal conductivity

Stainless steel and aluminum have long been lauded as one of the most useful industrial materials being used today. Many different industries at different levels benefit from their use, thanks to their many wonderful characteristics. Aside from strength, durability, and versatility, aluminum and stainless steel have other attributes that make them truly useful.

One such attribute is thermal conductivity. This is the process by which thermal energy is transferred through matter and is usually measured in watts per kelvin per meter. Lower thermal conductivity means a lower rate of heat transfer while higher thermal conductivity means efficiency in conducting heat.

If you want to know more about the thermal conductivity of stainless steel and aluminum then continue reading because it could prove useful for you and your future industrial endeavors.

Aluminum has better thermal conductivity

Right off the bat, the first thing of note between the two industrial materials is that aluminum has ‘better’ thermal conductivity. Important to note here that having high or low thermal conductivity is not inherently good nor bad. Aluminum simply has a relatively higher thermal conductivity. On the other hand, stainless steel has one of the lowest thermal conductivities for metal alloys.

Another metric used to track thermal conductivity is the British thermal unit (BTU), which uses a number to represent the ability of a material to conduct heat. Aluminum has BTU of 118 while steel has 17. Comparing both to another material like copper, which has a BTU of 223, aluminum can still be a better option because it is lighter, cheaper, and easier to work with and manipulate thanks to its low melting point. Aluminum is also the most abundant metal found in the earth’s crust, making it more accessible than other choices.

High and low thermal conductivity are both useful

Both high and low thermal conductivity is useful for many different applications. You just have to know which specific metal can get the job done for you. Aluminum conducts heat well and this makes it good for heat exchangers, heat sinks, and even for cooking materials such as pots and pans.

Since stainless steel is poor at conducting heat, it is better for manufacturing products that are exposed to high-temperature and corrosive environments such as automotive and aircrafts parts like engines and airconditioning systems. Using stainless steel can result in better energy efficiency which eventually leads to savings in the long run.

Industries that benefit from high or low thermal conductivity

There are many specific industries beyond that value a material’s thermal conductivity, regardless if they are high or low. For example, the construction industry is known for using stainless steel for countless structures and their parts. It is good for building facades, foundations, curtain walls, and other architecturally exposed structure designs. The food industry also uses stainless steel to keep production processes stable where heat is involved. This can be seen in ovens and conveyor belts.

As for aluminum, the automotive and aerospace industries are its biggest beneficiaries because many car and airplane parts are made using aluminum. In fact, most air and spacecraft are made primarily using aluminum with the Boeing 737, the best-selling jet commercial airliner, being 80% aluminum. Even in small-scale product manufacturing, aluminum is widely used. It is a crucial component of light-emitting diodes or L.E.D lights, heat exchangers in electronics, and is also used for packaging, the second-biggest consumer of aluminum.

Aluminum is more malleable and elastic than steel. Aluminum can be used to form different shapes

Key Takeaway

The concept of thermal conductivity is complex, but knowing how and why they matter to many industries and manufacturing processes can be useful in helping you choose the right kind of metal alloy or material for future endeavors. Both stainless steel and aluminum are great, but it’s their less-popular qualities like their ability to conduct heat at varying levels that can make the difference.

Click here if you want to know more about aluminum and stainless steel because there is certainly more to know about these wonderful metals.

October 30, 2019

How to Recycle Aluminum

When it comes to versatile types of metal, aluminum is a material used to create a wide range of products, items, tools, and machinery. Being light, strong, and resistant to many forms of wear and tear, aluminum provides many positive qualities that allow it to be very useful in a multitude of applications.

Along with being very flexible, aluminum is also a type of metal that is environmentally friendly, as it is more efficient to produce compared to other types of metal, and can also be recycled to create new products. When it comes to recycling, aluminum has a great track record, as many companies make use of recycled aluminum to help create high-quality products.

How is aluminum recycled?

Aluminum is known for being a very recyclable type of metal, which is why it is widely used by many product manufacturers worldwide. The process of recycling aluminum is one of the most efficient metal recycling methods, as the procedure allows the metal to be quickly ready for reuse as soon as the process is finished. Here is how aluminum is recycled to create new products.

Sorting

The first step in recycling aluminum is sorting. Each aluminum product and item would be sorted in bins and containers accordingly to be collected for the recycling process. Sorting begins in waste disposal, where people would drop their aluminum products in the designated disposal bins, which would then be distributed in a recycling facility. The sorting process helps remove unnecessary material like other kinds of metals, plastic, and even scrap and debris, all of which can affect the quality of the recycled material.

Shredding

After the aluminum products are properly sorted, the next step is to take them to recycle facilities and begin the process of shredding the aluminum. This helps make the aluminum easier to melt, lessens the weight and volume, and removes all other small materials present. Once the aluminum has been shredded, the next step is to sort it out once again and run it through a magnet.

Magnet

To make sure the shredded aluminum does not contain other types of metals, it would be passed through a powerful magnet that would remove all traces of other metals present. Most kinds of steel have magnetic properties, making it easier for the magnet to help sort out materials that are not needed in the recycling process. Once other types of metal have been removed, the aluminum would then go through a cleaning process.

Cleaning and De-coating

After the aluminum has been shredded and sorted out, the next step is to clean the material. Cleaning is done through the use of strong cleaning solutions that would remove any dirt, paint, or decoration present on the aluminum surface. The aluminum would be scrubbed clean, and then would go through the process of de-coating.

De-coating puts the aluminum through a conveyor system to remove all other traces of color and decoration on the surface. This is done by blowing hot air on the aluminum, which would then be removed and cleaned further. Once the cleaning process has been accomplished, the aluminum is not ready for re-melting.

Re-melting

The crucial process that would make recycled aluminum usable for manufacturing products is re-melting. The scrap aluminum would be put inside a high-temperature furnace, which burns for around 7000 degrees celsius. During the melting process, other types of chemicals would be added to create the proper composition of aluminum.

Once the melting process has been done the molten aluminum would be transferred into a holding furnace. This would turn the aluminum into ingots, which would then be processed further.

Rolling

Once the aluminum has been melted to create ingots, these ingots would go through a process called rolling. Rolling would help turn the aluminum into thin sheets, which would then be used to create new products. Rolling helps strengthen the aluminum and make it more flexible. Once the aluminum has been rolled out, it would be distributed to manufacturing companies to be used to create products.

Reuse

After being rolled, the recycled aluminum would once again go through another production process to create new products that would be distributed to retailers. These products can include aluminum cans, kitchen tools and items, packaging, and even casing for devices. Overall, the recycling process can take a number of weeks to accomplish and is able to recycle a good percentage of aluminum to be reused.

Key Takeaway

Aluminum is not only a strong and versatile material, but it is also recyclable, allowing it to be reused to create a new set of products. The recycling process surely takes time to accomplish but ensures the maximum amount of aluminum would be recycled. By knowing the process of recycling aluminum, you would be able to provide the best way to prevent your used aluminum from going to waste.

October 16, 2019

The Use of Aluminum in Electronics

Main Power Plant Energy Ideas And Energy Saving

When it comes to the most common metals used in the world of industry, aluminum is one of the materials that stand out. Since being developed during the past few decades, aluminum has become a material that has taken the place of other metals, mainly due to its light weight and eco-friendliness. With production costs and carbon emissions being a very important concern for industries across the world, the use of aluminum has helped resolve these concerns.

Many industries rely on the use of aluminum in their products and machinery. These industries include aeronautical, automotive, manufacturing, construction, and medical. Another common place where aluminum is used is in electronics and electrical devices.

How is Aluminum used in electronics and electrical products?

Aluminum is one of the most versatile types of metal, being used in a wide variety of industries. Due to its qualities like ductility and electrical conductivity, aluminum has become a widely used material in electronics and electrical products. Here are some of the most popular uses of aluminum for electrical purposes:

Casing for devices

When it comes to providing a lightweight and eco-friendly casing for different kinds of electronic devices, aluminum has become one of the most popular materials used by different companies. These devices include laptops, smartphones, digital cameras, gaming consoles, digital watches, and even HDTVs. Compared to using heavier metals or flimsier plastics, aluminum is the best option, as it is cost-effective, versatile, and highly durable. Electronic devices are designed to be efficient and convenient, which is why aluminum has been tapped as one of the metals to use for their products.

Popularized by companies during the last decade, aluminum device casings have now become one of the standard ways to manufacture devices around the world. With technology looking to go smaller and lighter in the near future, the use of aluminum is key to making it a possibility.

Computer parts

Along with electronic devices, aluminum is a key component in computer parts. The inside of the computer has many different metals present, all of which help the computer perform different functions smoothly and efficiently. Aluminum is the metal used to create heat sinks for your computer. A heat sink is designed to capture all of the heat present in the computer while working to prevent it from hitting other key components.

Along with being a key element for heat sinks, aluminum is also used to create other parts like PC casings, monitors, and other devices. Having the right metals is important to make computers function properly, which is why aluminum helps turn it into a more efficient device.

Power lines

One of the most common applications of aluminum in electrical products is its use in power lines. These power lines have long been the primary method of transporting electricity across various distances. Since the development of aluminum during the early 20th century, power lines have utilized the material. Aluminum is an effective material to use in power lines as they are lighter compared to materials like copper.

While it is not as electrically conductive as copper, it is much easier to manufacture power lines using aluminum, as it is a more flexible material due to its ductility. Aluminum is also resistant to different forms of corrosion, allowing it to withstand extreme conditions that power lines are subject to. With power lines continuing to become a regular fixture, aluminum will play a huge role in how the world is powered up.

Electric Motors

Another device that uses aluminum is its structure are electric motors. Electric motors are designed to make different parts move around to accomplish different functions. Electrical motors come in different sizes, with each type being used in industries such as manufacturing, automotive and aeronautical. While regular motors are powered by fuel, electric motors can run on batteries, which can make them portable and easier to manufacture. Aluminum is mostly used in the body of the motors themselves, providing a light and durable structure, and can withstand high temperatures and extreme conditions.

Power Systems

Along with being used in power lines, aluminum is one of the metals used in power grids and other power systems. The conductivity of aluminum allows energy to be distributed in a fast and efficient manner. One of the reasons that led to more power systems using aluminum is the manufacturing costs. While copper is a good metal for electrical conductivity, it is costlier to produce, which can be difficult for different manufacturing companies. Aluminum provides the right balance between electrical conductivity and price, making it the ideal material for different kinds of electrical devices.

Key Takeaway

Aluminum has become one of the top metals used in the manufacturing industry, used to create products like electronics and electrical devices. Due to being light, strong, and conductive, aluminum provides these products with a strong material that performs well in different conditions and applications.

October 4, 2019

How to Smelt Aluminum

How do you smelt aluminum?

What is smelting
The Bayer process
The Hall-Héroult process
Applications of extracted aluminum

Aluminum alloys are some of the most widely used metal alloys in the world for the purpose of manufacturing. This is due to its special qualities that have enabled the technological advancements of a number of industries such as aerospace manufacturing, the automotive industry, as well as the construction industry. Similar to its local stainless steel counterparts, manufacturers often use aluminum due to its good flexibility, optimal strength-to-weight ratio, and recyclability.

Despite all that can be said about the flexible alloy, it is also important to know the essential processes involved in their life cycle from creation to production, and eventually, their end of life and recycling phases. In particular, smelting is one of those processes that most people aren’t too familiar with despite its relative importance in the production of various metal alloys. To help update your knowledge on aluminum smelting specifically, here is what you need to know.

What is smelting

Put simply, smelting is the core process behind the extraction of aluminum and without it, it is near impossible to do so. While aluminum is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust (accounting for about 1.59% of the planet’s mass) after oxygen and silicon, it is rarely found in its natural form.

Pure aluminum is highly reactive and easily bonds to the elements that can be found near it. The most common elements it bonds with are the previously mentioned oxygen and silicon, forming oxides and silicates (respectively) that usually found bound to rocks in a polymorphic state. Common aluminum-containing minerals include garnet, turquoise, beryl, and cryolite. However, the mineral bauxite is the one that is responsible for its commercial viability and is the mineral involved in smelting. This is because it has high aluminum content and is relatively low in impurities. In terms of yield, it takes about 4 tons of high-quality bauxite to produce 2 tons of alumina, from which 1 ton of aluminum can be made.

The Bayer process

The smelting process, which converts bauxite into pure aluminum, has two distinct steps. The first is called the Bayer process, named after Carl Bayer who developed the process in 1888. This method is used to extract alumina (aluminum oxide) from the bauxite. Bauxite ore is comprised of hydrated aluminum oxides that are mixed with other elements such as iron. The ore is heated in a pressure vessel while caustic soda, a sodium hydroxide solution, is added at a temperature between 150 and 200 degrees Celsius.

This process extracts the aluminum in the ore through dissolution and produces the soluble sodium aluminate while the rest of the compounds in bauxite remain in their solid form. The impurities of the resulting sodium aluminate are filtered through a rotary sand trap or other sifting methods. From there, aluminum hydroxide is precipitated from the sodium aluminate, which is then calcinated to produce alumina.

The Hall-Héroult process

The next major step is called the Hall-Héroult process which is an electrolytic process that was developed by Charles Hall and Paul Héroult in 1886. This process involves the dissolution of the alumina in molten synthetic cryolite, an uncommon mineral that makes the dissolving process easier thanks to its lower melting point and electrical conductivity.

This is where the electrolysis begins, where the liquid aluminum will be deposited at the cathode. The oxygen from the alumina will combine with the carbon to produce carbon dioxide. Usually, aluminum smelters require a great deal of electricity to execute properly. This is the reason why smelters are built near large power stations. It is also not uncommon to see smelters near ports because alumina is usually imported from other countries.

From there, the molten aluminum can be poured into molds that form the standard factory ingot. At this stage, the aluminum is about 99.8% pure and can now be used to make a wide variety of aluminum alloys or be further refined to produce superpure aluminum (99.99% pure).

Applications of extracted aluminum

Once the extraction process is done, aluminum can be used for a wide variety of applications. The most apparent application is in the construction and manufacturing industry. Just like local stainless steel, products and structures made using a form of aluminum alloy are almost always maintenance free because of its inherent corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, superpure aluminum is used in the electricity/electronics industry as an excellent conductor of electricity.

Key Takeaway

As you’ve read, it is not that simple to extract aluminum. Thanks to the development of smelting during the late 1800s, the world gets to enjoy the benefits of using aluminum for all the purposes stated above and more. As technology continues to develop, the smelting process at all stages will eventually become more effective and efficient. This will result in cheaper alloys on the market and more innovation with regards to its use.

October 2, 2019

Passivation of Aluminum and Stainless Steel: Should You Do It?

Why should you passivate aluminum and stainless steel?

What is passivation?
How does the passivation process work?
When should you passivate your metal alloys?

Corrosion has long been the enemy of metals and their subsequent alloys. Just ask your local stainless steel supplier, and they will definitely tell you that dealing with corrosion often becomes a headache. This is especially true when certain building materials aren’t handled or treated properly. Thanks to corrosion and rust specifically, the durability of products and structures can become significantly compromised after a number of years if not within 1 or 2.

Thanks to the development of modern metal alloys such as aluminum and stainless steel, the construction industry’s struggle against corrosion became easier to deal with. This is due to the interesting ability of aluminum and stainless to undergo the process of ‘passivation’. What does that word even mean? Should you do it? and what can it entail for you and your construction endeavors?

What is passivation?

Passivation is a chemical process wherein an extra outer layer of protection against corrosion is added to or formed on a given material’s surface. It occurs naturally in aluminum and stainless steel which is why they have been so useful for the construction and manufacturing industries since their conception.

The fascinating part about passivation is that metallurgists have found ways to boost, accelerate, and even elevate this process in metal alloys so that they are even more resistant to corrosion than usual. Technically speaking, passivation is a form of corrosion. This is because the metal reacts with its environment to form a chemically inert surface. The thing is, this form of corrosive surface will help reduce, if not nearly eliminate, any further corrosion that could potentially happen.

How does the passivation process work?

Before going into the specifics, it is important to note that the process of passivation is not the same for stainless steel and aluminum. In fact, passivation is more associated with stainless steel than aluminum, so it is best to distinguish between the two.

Stainless steel passivation

Stainless steel has a natural form of corrosion resistance thanks to a very thin (about 5 nanometers) layer of oxide on the steel’s surface. This layer forms thanks to the chromium component of stainless steel, and for it to form properly, there needs to be at least 10.5% chromium in the alloy. The oxide layer is also referred to as a ‘passive layer’ because it renders the surface electrochemically passive in the presence of corrosion-inducing elements.

It is important to point out that while stainless steel has a natural resistance to corrosion, not every alloy is impervious to rust. It is not surprising for small instances of rust to appear on a stainless steel surface because foreign matter can make its way and embed itself to a given metal’s surface. This makes it possible for water molecules to oxidize the iron component. This kind of corrosion is referred to as ‘roughing’, and certain grades of metal alloys are more susceptible to it than others.

In order to manually passivate stainless steel, the material must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that no contamination can happen. After cleaning, the metal goes through a passivating acidic bath that meets the material’s temperature and chemical requirements. It is then rinsed with water and dried. Through this process, the exogenous iron is removed and a passive oxide layer is created to further inhibit the formulation of rust.

Aluminum Passivation

Aluminum, just like stainless steel, also undergoes a natural process of oxidation that forms a thin, protective surface layer of aluminum oxide. Again, just like with stainless steel, not every aluminum alloy does a good job of forming the said oxide layer for the same reasons stated above. Extra protective measures might be required for certain grades of aluminum.

When should you passivate your metal alloys?

When considering the circumstances in which passivating your stainless steel or aluminum is a good idea, there are two main benefits to think about. You already know about the first one, anti-corrosion, but the lesser-known benefit of passivation is purity. Both of these go hand-in-hand because dirt and impurities are one of the causes of corrosion.

As a general rule of thumb, you should consider passivation for your metal alloys if you need extra protection from the elements. This is especially true for your outdoor structures and products that experience the full brunt of the weather. It also can not be stressed enough that different grades of metal alloys provide different levels of corrosion resistance. If the metal you are using is inherently weak to corrosion, then passivating it should be your next best option.

Key Takeaway

The passivation of metals is a useful process that can be either organic or engineered. Only the best local stainless steel suppliers around would know that manually passivating stainless steel and/or aluminum is a good way to maintain and protect your structures and commodities.

August 29, 2019

How to Braze Aluminum

How do you braze aluminum?

Wear the necessary safety clothing and gear
Clean the area to be repaired
Secure the piece to be brazed firmly in place
Apply flux
Heat the area to be repaired
Apply the filler aluminum
Remove flux
Polish and apply with rust-resistant coating

Brazing aluminum is a great way to save money if you do not want to incur extra costs by buying new aluminum parts to replace the cracked or broken ones. However, the lack of know-how might be a good enough of a barrier to make you run to the nearest aluminum and stainless steel supplier in the Philippines and spend money that you would have otherwise saved.

Don’t go just yet because if you have the right tools and materials on hand, the steps to braze aluminum might not be as hard as you thought it was. To prove it, here are the steps you need to know in order to braze aluminum.

Wear the necessary safety clothing and gear

Before you start with anything, make sure to have the necessary safety clothing and gear. Your safety checklist should include a pair of heavy-duty gloves, a thick, long sleeve upper garment (preferably a coat or jacket), a pair of thick pants, heavy-duty shoes, and a helmet or a pair of goggles.

In terms of safety gear what you need are the following: degreasing solvent, some flux, a propane or acetylene torch, filler aluminum, some water, polishing cloth and rust-resistant coating.

Clean the area to be repaired

Using the aforementioned water and degreasing agent, clean all the dirt, oil, grease, paint, or any other type of residue from the area to be brazed. Depending on the size of the area, you may need to use a sandblaster or a grinding wheel to fully rid it of blemishes.

Secure the piece to be brazed firmly in place

Not much explanation needed here since you need to have stability when brazing. If you start the process without firmly securing the aluminum piece in place, you might not be able to fully repair it. The worst-case scenario is the piece drops as you are brazing it which could further add to the damage it already has.

Apply flux

Applying flux before brazing is important because you need to make sure that the aluminum is pure or without impurities before they are fused together. Use a brush to apply it. You can eliminate this step altogether by coating the aluminum filler with flux before you braze it onto the broken area.

Heat the area to be repaired

After applying the flux, you’re now ready to begin the brazing proper. Start by heating the area to be repaired until it shows an orange color. The flux itself must also change color if not turning clear throughout.

Apply the filler aluminum

Place the filler metal on the cracked area while it is still hot. The heat of the metal will melt the filler into the area that needs repairing and should cover it thoroughly thanks to capillary action. Move the flame of the torch on and off as needed to melt the filler as needed.

Remove flux

Source: Flickr

Let the aluminum settle and solidify. Once you are certain that it has already solidified, dip the aluminum piece in hot water. If it’s too big, just pour the hot water on top of the repaired area which should cause the flux to flake off. If that doesn’t work then brush it off gently with a brush while it’s still wet with water. Wait for it to cool off completely.

Polish and apply with rust-resistant coating

Once cool, polish the area with an emery cloth or using some form of coated abrasive. Make sure to check for deformities and to buff of small overlaps in the filler metal and original aluminum piece. Finally, coat the whole repaired area with some rust-resistant coating to prevent corrosion.

Mistakes to avoid when brazing aluminum

On top of all those steps here are some mistakes to avoid when brazing just for some added information:

Using low duty equipment

Despite its low melting point, the thermal conductivity of aluminum is five times more than that of steel, which means that the heat dissipates very quickly. This simply means that you need heavy-duty equipment that can sustain currents and voltages that exceed that of the requirements for brazing steel in order to properly braze aluminum.

Preheating

It might be tempting to preheat every single piece of aluminum you braze, but experts say that that is not necessary if you have the right equipment. Preheating is not a bad thing to do, but it can be easy to get carried away and lose control of the temperature of the alloy. Remember that overheating aluminum can change its mechanical properties making it harder for you to manage the brazing process. The magic number is 200 Fahrenheit (or 93.3 Celsius). Anything higher than that is a no-no.

Key Takeaway

Brazing aluminum might be a challenge for many people, but that shouldn’t discourage you from trying it on your own. In fact, this could be a great way to save money on repairs that you would normally bring to your nearest aluminum and stainless steel supplier in the Philippines. Follow the steps listed above, use the right equipment, and always be mindful of what you are doing and you will surely be able to get the job done yourself on your next aluminum brazing adventure.

August 19, 2019August 19, 2019

6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Aluminum and Steel

What are the important factors to consider when choosing between aluminum or steel?

Durability
Strength
Corrosion Resistance
Versatility
Weight
Cost

Aluminum and steel are some of the most utilized metals across different industries for a multitude of products and building projects. Steel is popular because of its high tensile strength, low cost, and recyclability. But don’t go calling your local stainless steel supplier right away because aluminum can still make a case for its worth.

Aluminum is the third most abundant metal in the earth’s crust. It also has the best strength-to-weight ratio and is unbeatable when it comes to the variety of its uses: automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle parts. It is also used in aircraft design and architectural moldings. Like steel (especially the stainless kind), it is also a very environmentally efficient metal which makes using either metal good for the environment.

Durability

The first and most apparent factor you are going to have to take into consideration is durability. Metals are typically known for their durability, but not all of them have the same kind of durability. The ability to withstand wear and tear, pressure, or damage varies from metal-to-metal and when it comes to steel and aluminum, there are some notable differences.

Strength

Tensile strength is the name of the game when it comes to durability, and in that regard, steel is king. Tensile strength is the maximum amount of stretching or pulling a metal can withstand before it breaks or is permanently damaged. Without getting into specifics, steel and all of its sub-categories have a higher tensile strength than aluminum and its derivatives. This is by no means an indication that aluminum is a weak metal that easily breaks — steel is just a bit stronger.

Corrosion Resistance

Luckily for aluminum, tensile strength is not the only way to evaluate durability. Resistance to corrosion is also important to consider because metals become susceptible when exposed to the elements. Corrosion is a natural process that converts refined metals to a more chemically stable form (think of your oxides and sulfides).

That being said, steel is an alloy that is made up of refined metals like iron and copper, so they are pretty susceptible to rust. Despite that, the more popular derivative, stainless steel, has chromium added to its alloy formula to give it an anti-corrosion layer. This pretty much solves the corrosion problem.

Meanwhile, aluminum has an edge over steel in this regard because it does not contain steel or iron, meaning it does not rust. The thing is, rust is just one kind of corrosion that affects metals. Aluminum, when exposed to weathering and atmospheric oxygen, can oxidize and produce a layer of aluminum oxide. What’s interesting to note here is that aluminum oxide actually protects the metal from further corrosion. What this means is that the more aluminum corrodes, the more it is protected from further corrosion.

Either way, you really cannot go wrong. Both metals are competitively durable and have a good level of corrosive resistance. The important part here is knowing what kind of elements are present in the environment you are going to use the metal in before deciding which to use.

Versatility

Versatility is where things start to favor aluminum. The “miracle metal” is well known for its malleability. This means it can be successfully de/reformed and bent into a variety of custom shapes or profiles without suffering noticeable breaks or cracks. Aluminum is also very ductile, allowing it to be stretched without breaking.

When it comes to temperature, aluminum is also the more versatile choice because it becomes harder as temperatures go lower. Steel, meanwhile, tends to become a little more brittle under cold temperatures and that affects its aforementioned tensile strength. Both metals and alloys have no problem withstanding high temperatures though and should hold up even in a fire. Just avoid touching it.

Weight

As previously stated, steel is stronger across the board, but aluminum wins the strength-to-weight ratio. This is why aluminum becomes the better choice in the production of transportation modes such as aircraft, automobiles, and locomotives. Lower weight means better fuel efficiency and faster speeds.

Steel, on the other hand, is heavy and is better for solid structures requiring stability and foundational strength. Seeing both metals incorporated in a multitude of ways isn’t an uncommon sight as products, buildings, and pretty much anything that can be built will always be better with steel and aluminum parts working together to full effect.

Cost

Lastly, cost should always be taken into consideration when choosing a metal to use for your respective purposes. In this regard, steel is usually less expensive, but it still depends on what kind of steel you are looking to get. Your run of the mill steel and carbon steel are less expensive than aluminum, while stainless steel is pricier. It all depends on your budget and the specific job you are going to use it for.

Key Takeaway

Steel and aluminum have their advantages and disadvantages, but what both have in common is that they are products of metallurgical ingenuity and are good for a number of different industrial purposes.

It all boils down to what you need to do, what your budget is, and what specific particulars you are going to be dealing with. Tailor your choice according to those, and you should be good to go.

August 13, 2019

How to Properly Establish an Aluminum and Glass Balustrade

How do you establish an aluminum and glass balustrade?

Proper measurement
Secure the railings
Protect it against corrosion
Utilize accurate glass thickness
Attach glass to the balustrade

The use of metal and glass together has become a combination that can be seen in a wide variety of projects. From the military, construction, and even the automotive industry, these two materials have become crucial elements that help create innovative designs and structures. When it comes to local construction projects, a stainless steel supplier in Metro Manila is surely the best place to acquire some of the best metals you can use for construction and other projects.

One of the most common applications of metal and glass in a structure is the use of aluminum and glass to create balustrades. These balustrades are not only decorative railings that are a common feature in homes and commercial buildings, but they are also a safety feature that is designed to keep you safe from edges. This makes proper installation very important, as you would have to keep safety and function in mind, along with incorporating a variety of styles into the overall design. Here are some effective ways on how to establish a balustrade in a structure.

How to Install a Balustrade

Installing an aluminum and glass balustrade requires taking into account a variety of factors, such as size, height, and design. These factors would dictate how your balustrade would be designed and positioned in order to provide the best safety while improving the look of the structure.

Proper Measurement

The first step towards installing a balustrade is measuring the area that it would be installed on. Measuring the area will help you know the proper length and height of these balustrades, which will help you know how many you need to install in a certain area. Length and height are important factors, as you would have to take into account the dimensions of the structure to determine the right size of the balustrade.

It is also important to take weight into account, as balustrades are designed to not only block open pathways but also ensure that it would be able to provide the best protection from possible falling hazards.

Railings

Another important element of the balustrade is the railing, which is a safety feature that is present in a majority of designs. Along with the rest of the balustrade, railings are designed with durability in mind, which means picking the right size and shape will be a factor in the design and safety. Most buildings employ an aluminum railing, which is highly durable and resistant against different types of wear and tear. Most of these railings are round-shaped, although there are designs that use square shaped railings. Depending on the design and type of building, picking the right railing design is crucial in knowing how will the finished project will turn out.

Protecting against corrosion

Corrosion is one of the things that can damage metal structures, as they can affect the structural integrity of a home or a building, which can cause different kinds of damage an safety hazards. If not cleaned or repaired, a rusty balustrade will eventually collapse, which can cause falling hazards that can create dangerous scenarios.

This is why using aluminum from a stainless steel supplier in Metro Manila is the best material to use, as it will be able to withstand a multitude of elements, becoming resistant to different kinds of wear and tear such as rust. Along with having a strengthened resistance to corrosion, adding a protective coating will help towards improving the durability and longevity of your aluminum and glass balustrade. Maintenance of these balustrades will also become much easier as well, as you would be able to clean them much easier, and you would only need to re-apply protective coating.

Glass thickness

Along with the length and height of the balustrade, glass thickness is also an important factor. Having the optimal glass thickness would not only provide the ideal weight but will also provide the best protective layer that would make your balustrade stronger. Thicker glass means more weight, which is why using thinner but more durable glass sections might be better options for other types of structures.

Attaching glass to a balustrade

Installing glass into an aluminum balustrade can be done in a variety of ways depending on the type of aluminum frame that you are installing. Some balustrades are frameless, which is designed to provide the best views and aesthetic, while some are framed which provides a good sense of style and security. Glass is usually installed using screws, which allow them to stay in place without the risk of moving around or coming loose.

Key Takeaway

A balustrade has become a very common feature amongst different types of buildings, as they provide safety and quality design. Installing a balustrade means considering a number of factors to determine the best approach. By following these handy steps, you would be able to properly establish a balustrade in any type of building project that is durable and resistant against the elements.

May 10, 2019

6 Kinds of Steel Safes to Secure Your Belongings

What are the different types of steel safes to secure your belongings?

Compact Safe
Safes that can withstand environmental disasters
Lockbox Safe
Wall Safe
Diversion Safe
Kinds of locks

A safe must be made of high-quality steel in order to ensure that your belongings will always be safe. Stainless steel is a dependable material as it is durable, non-corrosive, and can withstand extreme temperatures. In the Philippines, stainless steel safes come in a number of variations that you can choose from. Here is a list of steel safes that can secure your belongings.

Compact Safe

Also called mini safes, these are low cost and can usually be found in hotel rooms. They are small and compact, but not enough to physically carry around easily. Instead, these safes can be hidden in tight spaces, far from any prying eyes. Compact safes usually have either a digital keypad or a traditional lock and key.

However, some compact safes are not waterproof nor are they fireproof. To ensure its safety, strategically place the safe in a location far from any possible threats.

Safes That Can Withstand Environmental Disasters

If you want to keep the safe inside your home, it is best to choose one that can hold up to a number of natural disasters. Certain stainless steel safes are fireproof, waterproof, and can prevent mold from growing. Some safes are also capable of falling from large heights, especially those well built with strong kinds of steel.

However, most safes can only handle one or two of these problems, not all of it. Choose the kind of protection that would best suit you and your home. If your area is prone to floods and storms, then it would be best to go for a waterproof safe. If you live in a house composed of flammable materials such as wood, it would be best to go for a fireproof safe. Make sure that the safes you will be purchasing are from professional stainless steel and aluminum suppliers.

Lockbox Safe

A lockbox safe is known to be small and portable, it even comes with a handle. It seems simple enough with its lock and key design, but do not underestimate it as some models are made of a material that is both fireproof and waterproof. You can ensure the safety of your important documents, passports, and jewelry inside of a lockbox safe.

One thing to note is that lockbox safes must be hidden extremely well. These can be easy for you to grab in case of an emergency, but it can also be easily stolen by a thief. To ensure its safety, never disclose to anyone where you have hidden this kind of safe.

Wall Safe

Wall safes are popular for storing a large amount of small important items. These can be built into the wall of your home and can be easily hidden behind a mirror or a painting. You can choose for your wall safe to be under the protection of a lock and key, a digital keypad, or even a combination of both. Not all kinds of wall safes are fireproof and waterproof, so it is best to also store it in a place free from any possible accidents.

However, these cannot fit large items as they usually come divided into sections. They are also not portable, make sure to always photocopy the documents that you place inside of the safe in the case of any natural disasters that may prevent you from having access to it. The kind of material these safes are made of is important, do your research to ensure that you are getting the highest quality from professional stainless steel and aluminum suppliers.

Diversion Safe

A diversion safe is one that is disguised as another item. It can look like a book, but is actually hollowed out on the inside and requires a key to open. It can be disguised as a clock, that can be opened once the right password is encoded. It can even look like a can or a bottle, that can be opened to reveal a tube-like hiding place.

One thing to note is that these kinds of safes can accidentally be stumbled upon, especially if you place them in plain sight. It can also be easily taken by thieves who know that you are hiding something important inside of it. These are not the kinds of safes to use if you want to store extremely important documents. Use these safes at your own risk.

Kinds of Locks

Besides the kind of material that the safe is made of as well as where you will be hiding it, it is important to note the kind of locks they have. Here is a list of locks that you can choose from:

Lock and Key
- Pros: can only be opened with the right key
- Cons: can be picked open with the right skill
Digital Keypad
- Pros: only opens with the right password
- Cons: easy to get into once password is figured out
Biometric
- Pros: can only open with a registered fingerprint
- Cons: fingerprints can be lifted off of different items
Combination Dial Lock
- Pros: needs a certain combination to enter
- Cons: combination can be deciphered through certain tricks
Dual Lock
- Pros: can be a combination of two locks, gives double protection
- Cons: harder to open in the case of a forgotten password or a lost key

Key Takeaway

The kind of safe you should buy will depend on what you will be keeping inside of it and where you will be placing it. In the Philippines, stainless steel safes can be found in a number of establishments. Take a look around and keep in mind these kinds of safes to find the one best fit for you.

February 14, 2019

The History of Aluminum in Aircraft

What was the history of aluminum in aircraft?

The First Airplane
World War I
The Golden Age of Flight
World War II
Modern Era

Unbeknownst to many, aluminum is still being used and regarded as the best material for aircraft production. Usually, aluminum is known as a material that is used for cars, bikes, and other household materials.

Aluminum profile suppliers in the Philippines help create aluminum frames for various uses. Companies such as One Sky in the Philippines, provide aluminum as raw materials. But not many know that aluminum is king in the production of aircraft. Let’s take a brief look at how they were used throughout the course of airplane history.

The First Airplane

In 1903, the first airplane to ever take to the sky was created by the Wright brothers. Their aircraft design was primarily made up of wood. The fuselage, wings, and tail were all crafted from wood.

The only thing that was made from aluminum was its engine block. This was done to shed some weight due to the low power delivery of modern automobile engines of the time. The special aluminum block the Wright brothers created had increased the power to weight ratio of their wooden framed aircraft which was enough for it to take flight.

At the time, aluminum was extremely expensive and it was not widely produced as it is today. The Wright brothers had to make use of spruce wood and bamboo to keep the weight as light as possible and strong enough to carry some load.

World War I

It wasn’t until World War I when aircrafts started to use metal as a vital component, specifically on December 12, 1915. German aircraft designer Hugo Junkers built the first ever full metal aircraft, the J1 monoplane. At the time, everyone disliked the idea of using metal as a main component for aircraft as they thought of them as “too heavy” and impossible to take flight. But the men behind the creation of the J1 had to process 0.1 to 0.1 millimeters of steel sheets in order to achieve the desired weight needed to fly. In 1917, Hugo Junkers changed the landscape of aircraft design with his great innovation of incorporating the use of aluminum in building the fuselage of his new J7 aircraft.

The 1920s

The 1920s was the start of the Golden Age of Flight. It was the era when Americans and Europeans began competing in airplane racing. People were crazy about aircraft during the 20s until the next decade. These lead aircraft designers to stretch the edge of aerodynamics in aircraft performance. The 20s saw the extinction of the production of biplanes and the popularization of monoplanes. The more streamlined design made a transition from all metal frames to the use of aluminum alloys and other lightweight metals.

Aircraft was used for racing, breaking world distance and speed records, business travel, and exploration. The Golden Age of Flight also saw dozens of aircraft innovations. From Henry Ford’s 4-AT Tri-Motor to the Lockheed Sirius, the 20s to the 30s saw the dawn of streamlined aircraft, aircraft with multiple engines, retracting landing gear, stressed-skin aluminum construction, and variable-pitch propellers.

World War II

From 1939 to 1945, the demand for aluminum greatly increased for various military applications, mainly for the production of aircraft. This soaring demand for aluminum brought about around 296,000 U.S. aircraft produced. In 1942, American radio station WOR-NYC broadcasted a radio show called “Aluminum for Defense” to encourage Americans to contribute aluminum scraps to help in the country’s war efforts. They would offer free movie tickets in exchange for aluminum.

This was a time when aircraft technology took a rapid evolution. Most aircraft engines were supercharged and designs were sleeker than ever before. This resulted in planes that reached speeds previously unchartered by pilots. An increase of firepower and various armaments were equipped to many of the fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance planes. The greatest planes of the time that took to the skies were the iconic German BF109, British Spitfire, and the American P-51 Mustang.

The British, American, and German military started experimenting with a totally new powertrain for these aircrafts to gain a significant advantage on the sky. Jet-powered technology was on its way during World War 2. On August 27, 1940, the Germans have developed the first jet-powered aircraft, the Heinkel He 178. The radical new design had planes with no propellers and a more air-cutting slipstreamed design. These new jet-powered aircraft still made use of aluminum alloys as the main component of their fuselage.

Modern Era

Aluminum became a key component in the construction of aircraft. After the war, the availability of aluminum increased. The composition of aluminum alloys has improved, leading to better aircraft developments. Today, 80% of what a modern aircraft is composed of is aluminum.

Due to its light weight, ability to carry heavy loads, malleability, and corrosion resistance, it is still the ideal aircraft material. Many commercial planes make use of an aluminum fuselage, wing, flaps, rudder, and engine turbine.

Key Takeaway

Aluminum has been very important for the development of aircraft and aviation as a whole. Today, we have an abundance of the materials and you can find tons of aluminum profile suppliers in the Philippines and companies such as One Sky Philippines, that provide aluminum for various uses.

Aircraft manufacturers can turn to their suppliers to develop the latest aircraft. There is no longer a scarcity and high-cost to this amazing metal. The rich history of these machines could not have been possible without the use of aluminum.

January 10, 2019

5 Reasons to Choose Aluminum Windows and Doors

What are reasons to choose aluminum windows and doors?

Slim frames and maximum glass
Easy to maintain
Durability
Energy efficiency
Environmentally friendly

Aluminum is a very stable material used in a lot of varieties of furniture. Among the favorite uses of the metal by different aluminum suppliers in the Philippines is with utilizing it in windows and doors. These are some of the popular windows and doors which are mainly used for workplaces, industries, and other buildings. Aluminum is the main material used in creating these impeccably beautiful as well as strong doors and windows. It is becoming an increasingly popular choice for houses and contemporary buildings that we use in our day-to-day living.

If you’re looking to invest in new windows and doors for your home, here are the reasons why you should consider installing aluminum windows and doors:

Slim Frames and Maximum Glass

Aluminum is an ideal material for windows and doors. It is a low-density material, so you can achieve very slim line window frames which are both sturdy and strong. The superior strength of the aluminum can indeed withstand all weather conditions with no expansion or contraction during frosts or in bright sunlight. This maximizes the glass area and gives the best possible view. It’s especially important if your house has an impressive view that you want to make the most out of with your designs.

If you choose to have your aluminum windows delivered glazed, you can choose from a range of glass choices for flexibility. The choices for include colored patterned and obscured glass. You can also choose if you want it self-cleaned or with solar control properties for lower-maintenance and extra efficiency.

Easy to Maintain

Aluminum windows and doors are low maintenance products with high durability. Cleaning at a regular interval reduces the risk of breakdowns and keeps your doors and windows clean, bright, and lively. It only requires less maintenance to keep it looking good as new.

The best way to keep aluminum looking pristine is with regular cleaning in order to remove any build up dirt. If left for an extended period of time, grime can cause staining, and depending on the extent of staining will require a harsher cleaning system to remove the stain. Choose the mildest cleaning method possible and only move to successively harsh treatments if necessary.

Durability

Aluminum suppliers and companies like One Sky Philippines will tell you that aluminum is known for its durability properties especially when exposed to harmful elements. A lot of aluminum doors and windows offer supreme durability and longevity. It stays unaffected by UV rays and it will not rut, rust, or bend. Security is among the qualities you should look for in choosing for windows and doors. The robustness of aluminum provides superior strength to withstand any attacks. Aluminum is also fire-proof, offering added safety.

Unlike PVC windows and doors, aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion, capable of standing up to the many dangerous outside elements. You can rest assured aluminum systems will keep on working, providing style and performance without compromise.

Color and High-End Finish

Aluminum windows and doors are available in a wide variety of colors and finishes. You can choose to have a different color inside and out. Any high-end range of aluminum windows and doors should have a sleek powder coat finish, which means that it doesn’t need to be painted as long as the finish offers excellent longevity. Using powder coating is a much better finish in terms of eco-ratings.

Energy Efficiency

Aluminum is light, malleable, and an easy to work with material for doors and windows. It can offer high levels of wind, water, and air-tightness for best in-house energy efficiency resulting in warmer, fewer draught homes and lower energy bills. Aluminum windows and doors can easily achieve improvements in heat gain and heat loss by 60%, rivaling the more expensive timber or uPVC equivalents. With high-performance aluminum products, it has the capabilities to exceed rigid energy efficient standards.

Environmentally Friendly

Manufacturing aluminum and window and door products is a very sustainable process. Aluminum is an abundant material and is 100% recyclable without loss of quality, which is a highly-favored material for companies like One Sky Philippines. Recycling aluminum takes up 5% of the initial energy consumed to create it. You can rest assured that at the end of their long life, the aluminum doors and windows can be recycled and used all over again for a multitude of other applications.

Key Takeaway

If you’re looking to invest in a new set of windows and doors, no doubt, you need to be fully aware of the advantages of aluminum and also the type of window and door to choose.

Among the favorite uses of aluminum suppliers in the Philippines is for windows and doors. The reasons above can indeed tell you that it has many advantages when installing them in your own home or in other workplaces and industries. It became a popular choice because of its durability, easy maintenance, environmental friendliness, and you can choose a variety of colors and finishes.

December 18, 2018

Difference of Glass and Aluminum in Your Cell Phone’s Material

What are the differences between glass and aluminum when used in your cell phone’s material?

Aluminum

Superior material
Heat dissipater
Durability
Waterproof

Glass

Improved reception
Better wireless charging
Customization
Recyclability

You may think that all smartphones are built just the same. But have you ever wondered how smartphone manufacturers choose to build their products with one material and another? Over the years, the smartphone market has changed drastically. Among glass and aluminum suppliers in the Philippines, for the most part, are the two most popular materials to choose from are aluminum and glass.

Despite the numerous options, what smartphone builder would you actually prefer? Here’s all you should know about the difference between aluminum and glass as components of the perfect smartphone material.

Aluminum

Aluminum and Magnesium metals are used in many different products. From technical devices to construction and even furniture, it is one of the most commonly used materials in smartphones. The material itself is malleable and it allows manufacturers to be more creative when designing smartphones that are fit for every person’s need. Read on to find out why aluminum is an amazing material for smartphones.

Superior Material

For many smartphone users, metal is equal to premium. Seeing an aluminum phone polished and coated with a crisp finish does indeed make a phone look good. A lot of people associate it as high-quality material; it’s light and more durable than glass in most cases.

The minimal markings and no extraneous parts to take away from a single piece of metal in a certain shape to form a complete design aesthetic. It often ties well in a premium look and garnering many fans of its design.

Heat Dissipater

Touch is one of the primary human senses. In comparison to its other material counterparts, a metal smartphone can disperse more heat generated by the processor and internals of the device.

A smartphone with a metal casing can offer better protection to the internal components in comparison with other competing materials. Metal transfers heat much better than any other material, it gets cold when you stop using it and best of all, it feels good in the hands.

Durability

Aluminum is especially durable in end use. The required energy in combination with the long life-span is what makes the material durable. Aluminum body smartphones can withstand some rough treatment.

Also, the fact that aluminum casing provides better protection to the internals as an added advantage. Using aluminum in smartphones requires less maintenance than other metals.

Waterproof

Aluminum enclosures give electronics quality protection from atmospheric and marine corrosion. Smartphones with IP67 and IP68 rating means smartphones can survive splashes of rain, water, or even a spill. Waterproof means that your phone will be fine if it’s completely submerged or soaked.

Glass

Glass has become the material choice for flagship mobile phones. Although glass can be fragile compared to aluminum, it became a popular feature because it looks great and the heavy-feel gives the users a feel of luxury. Aluminosilicate glass, more commonly known as Gorilla Glass, is the most common type used for the external casing of the smartphone.

Improved Reception

Among glass and aluminum suppliers in the Philippines, glass is the ideal material for better antenna performance for your phone. Other materials lack radio frequency (RF) transparency, meaning the antenna on your device can have a hard time finding a signal.

Phones with glass designs mean more bars whether you’re in a different location that leads to faster data transmission. Wi-Fi, LTE, and Bluetooth are stronger without the need for outdated antenna lines inserted on the frames.

Better Wireless Charging

Today’s smartphones are upgrading one of their features to wireless charging. It’s also a practical consideration, unlike metals that can interfere with the latest charging technology. Glass is used as the metal’s alternative on the back of the phone so that consumers can rely on a glass for a faster charge without having to plug the device to a traditional charger.

Customization

Most materials on the back of phones don’t have the same optical transparency requirements as the front display. With glass, it can provide smartphone designers with new ways to upgrade its customization. Glass can offer scratch resistance compared to other materials and you can choose from a variety of different palettes of colors with premium quality photo images.

Recyclability

Recycling cell phones help the environment by saving energy, conserving natural resources, and keeping reusable materials out of landfills. Glass materials can be recycled using conventional recycling techniques. Energy is saved when the percent of the glass is recycled increases because less raw materials would be needed to be extracted.

Key Takeaway

Every glass and aluminum supplier in the Philippines will tell you that these two materials make the best smartphones we use every day. Each material has their own strengths and weaknesses, whether in their structural ability or radio signal frequency. But in the end, it all boils down to personal preference. After all, the most important consideration is what the consumer wants and the manufacturer has applied in their industrial design.

December 11, 2018

6 Reasons Behind Aluminum’s Growing Popularity

What are the reasons behind aluminum’s growing popularity?

Aluminum market
Used in packaging
Consumer goods
Passed CAFE standards
Alloys
Everyday strength

The versatility of aluminum is so incredibly vast. This is essentially why it’s often regarded as one of the favored metals among aluminum suppliers in the Philippines. Aluminum can be processed in so many different ways and is often used in different applications where high strength and durability are critical considerations. It’s lightweight and malleable properties even make it the popular metal we use in our day-to-day living. Read on to know more reasons why aluminum is continuously becoming popular all around the world.

Aluminum Market

Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements that can be found on the earth’s crust. The bauxite ore is mined and refined into a powder which is then smelted into aluminum. The metal is a common commodity traded in many metal exchanges. Its total price often varies with the market, often with an overall much better value than other metals.

Aluminum is also a highly recyclable material, which means costs can be frugal for both metal and fabrication over long periods of time. It’s increasingly becoming a global market titan with the rise of companies like One Sky in the Philippines. Aluminum adds value to automotive markets while also filling the void on lower margin, commodity type grades.

Used in Packaging

As everyday consumers, we often see aluminum in different kinds of packaging as it holds heat and lightweight materials. One of the most common items we use is aluminum foil. In making a roll of aluminum foil, aluminum first passes through rolling mills at a particular pressure to get the right thickness. It is then later cooled and sent to a chilled rolling mill to prevent breakage.

Aluminum foil is also present in most homes and food industries. With everyday use, it helps pack food as well as line cooking pots and pans. Not only does it retain its temperature, but it also protects it. Aluminum prevents oxygen, moisture, and bacteria from damaging the food.

Consumer Goods

The appearance of aluminum is often used in consumer goods like smartphones, tablets, and flat-screen TVs. Its sophisticated appearance makes modern gadgets look sleek while at the same time light and durable.

Interior designers use aluminum because it’s easy to shape and looks aesthetically pleasing when making furniture items like lamps, chairs, and decorative panels. More and more, aluminum is replacing plastic and steel components, simply due to the fact that it is stronger than plastic and lighter than steel. It allows heat to disappear quickly, keeping it from overheating.

Passed CAFE standards

Among some of the common materials used in manufacturing vehicles, aluminum is the most promising material to guide automakers towards raising their awareness of the new fuel-economy standards. In 2013, more automotive companies are looking for ways to increase fuel economy since CAFE or Corporate Average Fuel Economy decided to adopt new standards. Some of the solutions have prominently featured the aluminum material.

Although it is one-third of the weight of steel, utilizing aluminum largely reduces the mass of a vehicle while still maintaining its strength. It can also be treated in many ways and combined into various alloys meeting specific needs.

Alloys

There are different kinds of aluminum alloys that can give outstanding surface quality, resistant to corrosion, and high strength to weight ratio.

6000 series aluminum is alloyed with magnesium and silicon and heat treatable, allowing it to be hardened after forming. It also performs well during crash or safety tests.

The 5000 series or non-heat treatable aluminum is also alloyed with magnesium, but this time, exhibits moderate-to-good strength, great resistance to corrosion, and welding characteristics. Its applications range from fuel tanks to marine applications, truck trailers, architectural panels, and some non-critical parts for automotive purposes.

Next, the 3000 series non-heat treatable material is associated with moderate strength as a general purpose alloy. It’s one of the preferable alloy series because it’s inexpensive formability makes for a uniform appearance.

Lastly, the 1000 series is also known as commercially pure aluminum. The extreme malleability makes it a good material for electricity, food and chemical handling, and even lighting. It is the softest among the common alloys that are perfectly suitable for projects where deep drawing quality is necessary.

Everyday Strength

Aluminum’s strength and durability are also trusted by companies like One Sky Philippines for some of the most extreme uses imaginable. Aluminum is used in window frames and curtain walls of some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

The material itself is so versatile that it is even used in making airplanes, buses, trucks and even ocean liners. In short, every day, people around the world trust aluminum’s astounding capabilities whether they’re aware of it or not.

Key Takeaway

Many aluminum suppliers in the Philippines will tell you that there are countless uses and products of aluminum which no other metal can compare. Aluminum can be found in everyday convenience items that are small and useful, as well as provide strength and stability to larger and costlier productions like cars, gadgets, and even construction.

November 22, 2018

How Aluminum Changed the World for Good

How has aluminum changed the world for the better?

Better for all types of transportation
Great material for Architecture
Conductor of Electricity
Easy Recyclability
Creates job opportunities for the people

Aluminum in the Philippines started as one of the world’s most expensive metals with the two reasons: One, it’s difficult to refine, two, it is made up of eight percent of the world’s crust. As time passes by, it became one of the cheapest materials after mass production was invented in the late 19th century.

You may not know about this but everything we use on a daily basis is made of aluminum. The soda cans that we drink, the furniture installed in the house, the gadgets we use, and even transportation, aluminum is present, leading us to the question: what makes aluminum such a brilliant and useful material? Here are the reasons why Aluminum completely changed the world for good:

Better for All Types of Transportation

Aluminum is a third of the weight of steel, which means aluminum would be better for all types of transportation and it provides environmental solutions for it. Transportation takes up nineteen percent of the energy we use and by using lighter materials such as aluminum, energy consumption can be reduced. The aluminum industry is also responsible for researching and producing new body shells for high-speed trains, buses, and airplanes. Using aluminum means lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions and demand for raw materials and makes the low weight of cars the greatest global saving potential.

Great Material for Architecture

Aluminum has not been a widely used material for architecture since the beginning of the 20th century due to high cost. Afterward, it became a popular metal for structural applications and numerous building components such as doors, windows, sliding, to name a few. Thanks to the new innovative processes by aluminum suppliers from conducting research for mass producing aluminum, architects began experimenting with the material in creating some of the famous buildings we see today as the Empire State Building in New York. The base, interior, lobby, and finishes of the building’s structure were completed with aluminum.

Conductor of Electricity

Aluminum has an electrical conductivity that is high enough to use as an electrical conductor. One-third of its weight can perform twice as much electricity when compared to other metals of the same weight. In electrical conduction, materials can generally be split into two categories, mainly, conductors or materials that allow electrons to move freely when a charge is applied and Insulators meaning electricity flow easily through conductors and not insulators.

Aluminum is a great conductor of electricity when in fact it is the fourth best metal conductor behind gold, copper, and silver. Aluminum foil is a useful conductor for its material electrical properties and an insulator in building construction due to its reflective properties. This creates an electric current in the metal.

Recyclability

Aluminum offers unique recycling without losing its quality over time. Aluminum suppliers recommend using the metal for a multitude of different products ranging from transportation, window frames, and food packaging like drinking cans. Recycling aluminum materials save enough energy and as well as avoid the mining of Bauxite or the primary ore of aluminum.

Making usable, shiny aluminum from Bauxite that you’ve dug from the ground is a dirty and energy-intensive process. The aluminum industry is keen on recycling aluminum because it’s quicker, cheaper, and easier to melt down as opposed to processing Bauxite. This is the central reason why it’s much better for the environment, due to the simple fact that it saves a huge amount of energy and not to mention, precious resources.

Creates Job Opportunities for the people

Aluminum is a material made suited to meet its needs in the 21st century. From fuel efficiency and reusable packaging to green building products. Aluminum paved its way on the global market, thus, it is greatly used in hundreds of industries especially in the field of transportation, aerospace, building, construction, and even scientific research careers.

It also includes work in the manufacturing sector of primary, secondary, and aluminum alloy production. Workers in the aluminum industry can earn an average annual compensation higher than that of the national average. Aluminum processing jobs are consistently increasing in many areas including the production of sheet, plate, and foil products.

Key Takeaway

Aluminum in the Philippines is a big deal in today’s society and without it, we wouldn’t have the things we use in our daily lives. Whether in forms of transportation, technology, and the materials we utilize every day in our households.

One lesson we can also learn from the history of aluminum along with its industry is that it is very unique. A metal that is once an expensive yet weak and malleable metal became one of the most popular structural materials heavily used by different industries over the past century.

Aluminum is cheap and affordable but more importantly, a valuable metal that we need to learn how to value more. We should learn to appreciate it more and contribute to its rising development.

November 16, 2018

Do’s and Don’ts When Cleaning Aluminum in the Philippines

What are the do’s and don’ts of cleaning aluminum?

Do’s:

Rinse the aluminum surface
Use natural cleaning agents
Make an acidic solution
Apply wax after every cleaning

Don’ts:

Use abrasive cleaning materials
Use alcohol
Clean outdoor aluminum on a moderate day
Use acid wash

Aluminum is a highly versatile material used for many applications. Whether furniture or cooking pans, cleaning is the most important step in taking care of aluminum in the Philippines. It requires special attention because, over time, it can develop a dark color and lose its shine. The cleaning process of aluminum depends on the procedure and choice of products you’re using when cleaning the material.

There’s a variety of cleaning materials in stores, however, you can make use of materials that can be found within your home. But, do remember that before cleaning you should test to make sure they do not damage the aluminum. Here are the do’s and don’ts when cleaning all of your aluminum items:

DO’S

Rinse the Aluminum Surface

The first step in aluminum maintenance is to always clean the interior of a discolored aluminum item. Begin by rinsing the aluminum to remove surface dirt or debris. Use soap and water then use a soft brush to gently scrub the surfaces of an item. It’s okay to use a little pressure but not too vigorously that it can cause scratches. Once you’re done, rinse it well with warm water and use a dry cloth to remove excess water and let it dry completely to avoid streaks and spots.

Use Natural Cleaning Agents

Sometimes cleaning with soap and water is not enough. It cannot bring back the natural luster of the aluminum. Natural cleaning agents can be found in your household items like distilled white vinegar and lemon juice are mild cleaners for effective removal of stubborn stains on aluminum. Aluminum suppliers may recommend affordable and gentle aluminum cleaners, but you can also use homemade items that do the same job just as well.

Make an Acidic Solution

This helps in reducing discoloration due to oxidation. All you will need is a quart of water then add two tablespoons of cream of tartar, white vinegar, and lemon juice. Never use baking soda or other alkali-based cleaners as it can cause discoloration. This will effectively restore its shine.

Apply Wax After Every Cleaning

Now that you’re done cleaning the surfaces of your aluminum items, you may want to coat it with wax to prevent oxidation in the future. Automotive wax works best on surfaces on the bike and car wheels, house siding, and outdoor furniture but never use it on aluminum cookware.

DON’TS

Use Abrasive Cleaning Materials

Aluminum is a sensitive material. It does not rust but it is susceptible to corrosion. Don’t use steel wool or sandpaper in cleaning the material because they will scratch the surface and make oxidation hard to remove in the future. There are a lot of brushes, polish, and cleaners to choose from. Make sure to use a soft brush with fine bristles. Hard brushes will tend to rub the glossy finish of aluminum.

Use Alcohol or Any Harmful Chemicals

Some of the methods in cleaning aluminum way back in the past are considered unsafe. Other people use either chlorine bleach or muriatic acid. Using those can cause damage not only the aluminum but also cause harm to yourself. Alcohol is not a good degreaser and it shouldn’t be used in cleaning aluminum as it will strip off its protective layer. It’s better to use natural acids like lemon juice or distilled white vinegar.

Clean Outdoor Aluminum on a Hot Day

This practical piece of advice falls under both convenience and practicality. When it comes to outdoor patio furniture, retaining their pristine quality strictly calls for routine cleaning and even maintenance. With that being said, it is always most ideal to schedule your cleaning when it isn’t too scorching hot outside. Extreme temperatures can make you feel uncomfortable when working with light metals. Make sure to clean at room temperature to keep your hands from getting burned.

Use Acid Wash

Aluminum suppliers will tell you that aluminum doesn’t rust, however, the downside is that it can have oxidation or that dull, yellowish layer that needs regular cleaning. Acid wash will wear down the layers of the aluminum and weaken its material. You may want to avoid that or you’ll end up having ugly streaks both the exterior and interior of the aluminum. If it’s your first time to clean hard aluminum items such as the outdoor furniture, wheels, and welds, ask around for the safest procedure and best tools to use.

Key Takeaway

Like any other meals, aluminum in the Philippines requires special attention. Whether using commercially produced products or general household items, with regular cleaning, it can look nice and also avoid corrosion. It can definitely be a challenge in maintaining its color and shiny surface but now that you know how to properly clean you can enjoy using all your aluminum items that look good as new while avoiding serious damage.