Cars Are Lighter Because Of Sheet Aluminum

By Jaclyn Hurley


Manufacturers appreciate the abilities to find materials that serve specific purposes. They also like the idea of saving money while still getting quality stock for all of the things they make. Sheet aluminum fits this bill quite nicely as it also withstands corrosion and rust as well as extremely cold conditions.

Pop cans, up to the 1970s, were made from tin. This, of course, had a tendency to rust and did. The pop companies had to find something else and found aluminum. They realized they needed this material so that their offer does not get contaminated. Public perception, being what it is, they now make all of these products and can them in this way.

Cars and soda pop benefit from this light weight material. Soda can be stored easier without fear of rusting or corroding. This rust and corrosion will also not impact the auto body panels either. Lower weight means more gas mileage and engines fabricated from this material will be lighter, stronger and stay cooler.

An industry that uses a lot of aluminum is the aeronautics businesses. They create the space craft we use to explore the heavens. The airplanes that travel to all points of the globe are also made form this light weight material. The sheer resistance of this metal and the ability to alloy it with other materials makes it stronger than the steel that is too heavy to be used in these items.

The raw ore is extracted from the mine and formed into ingots. This is then transported to a foundry where alloys are made. An alloy is simply the raw material being mixed with others to achieve a specific characteristic. Tin can be mixed in as well as titanium. Each alloyed material will lend a different strength to the existing aluminum, making it better for a particular need.

When thinking about what, precisely, you need for the product you are manufacturing, the decision about sheets or plates is important. The alloyed metal is sent through presses that will compress the material into the various thicknesses needed. Those thicknesses for sheets are between just short of a quarter of an inch and about six thousandths of an inch. Anything thinner than that is called foil and pieces thicker are known as plates.

This type of metal is used on many things, inside and outside of the home. Appliances, computer cases and parts used in each one. Cars, planes, fences, roofing systems, as well as gutters and down spouts. Duct work for heating and air conditioning systems, flashing around many parts of construction as well as conduits that contain electrical, chemical transport and plumbing services. All of these and many more are made easier and more durable because of aluminum.

The popularity of this metal for many things is something to consider when looking for the best material for manufacturing world class products. The ability of aluminum to withstand harsh weather conditions and substances it is sunk into makes this a good choice for a large number of things. Processes that are often performed on it, such as an anodizing bath, will change the looks and another texture will present a better look for many applications.




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