ALUMINIUM….

Define aluminum?

A lightweight silver-white metallic chemical element that is easily

worked, conducts electricity well, resists weathering, and is the most
plentiful metal in the earth's crust.
 PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM

 It can be easily shaped, rolled, drawn, extruded, welded and therefore it is the ideal metal for
construction. Under load conditions, an aluminum structure has 3 times greater elastic elongation than an
iron one.
 Aluminium and most of its alloys range from resistant to very resistant against various forms of
corrosion. Due to its close chemical affinity with oxygen, the metal’s physical surface is permanently
covered with a layer of aluminum oxide, which is a very effective way of preventing further corrosion.
It is this property that makes it popular with construction, marine engineering and the transportation
industry.
 Aluminium is a good thermal and electrical conductor.
 It cannot be magnetized or burnt, properties which are considered quite essential for special applications,
such as in Electronics and marine constructions (oil platforms).
 Aluminum is non-magnetic, making it useful for electrical shielding's as in
computer disks, dish antennas, busbars or magnet housings.
 Aluminum is an excellent sound absorber and is used for constructing ceilings.
 Aluminum is 100% recyclable and recycled aluminum is identical to the virgin
product. This makes it a much more cost-effective source material for
production runs.
 aluminum is easy to work into complex shapes from one piece of extruded aluminum
without any mechanical joinery necessary. Aluminum can also be joined, soldered, welded,
and brazed. Clips, bolts, rivets, adhesive, and other fasteners and joining methods can be
used when machining and joining aluminium, as is the case with aircraft components.
 Non-toxic.
 Bonds with other elements relatively easily, enabling the formation of a wide variety
of aluminium alloys.
 TYPES OF ALLUMINIUM

Aluminum, like most metals, can change drastically

with each alloy compound. Depending on a
project’s end goal, it is advised to know specifics
like corrosion resistance, weldability, and
workability before selecting an aluminum grade
 1. Hardest Aluminium: 2024
Aluminum with a classification of 2024 is the hardest, but
it’s not easy to work with. This type of hardness is
common in airplanes and riveting projects, but you can’t
weld it.
 2. Most Flexible Aluminium
• Aluminum with a classification of 6061, often
called “The Workhorse Aluminum.”
• It has much better corrosion resistance.
• Other benefits include its high heat welding
properties as well as its strength
• 6061(Aluminum alloy foil) is the most flexible
type of aluminum because its manufacturing
process flattens the aluminum into thin sheets.
Consumers wrap food with foil, and many
companies package products from
consumables to cosmetics to household items
in it.
3. Sheet Aluminium

Aluminum with a classification

of 3003 .Sheet aluminum is formed by
stamping or spinning, and it requires
alloy to make it strong. Pots and pans
may contain alloyed aluminum, for
example, with common alloys like
magnesium, copper, and bronze
combining with the material for strength
and durability.
4. Clad Aluminium

Clad aluminum—AKA treated

aluminum—involves zinc, silicon,
copper, stainless steel, nickel, or
magnesium coating. Cladding
increases corrosion resistance
because bare aluminum is highly
susceptible to corrosion.
Clad aluminum is standard in the
aircraft and food processing
industries because of how durable it
is.
5. Bare Aluminium
Bare aluminum corrodes, and as it
oxidizes, it loses its reflective
properties. But the corrosion seals out
moisture and air, so the interior material
is still strong. If you have a project
where looks don’t matter, letting the
metal corrode on its surface might be a
good game plan.
6. Aluminium Manufacturing Alloys

Other common aluminum types are aluminum alloys for manufacturing. Each
class is a series and starts with a number from one to seven. Each series uses a
different alloy in its manufacture, and within the series, there can be many
variations in use and characteristics.
•1000 series is the purest at 99 percent minimum aluminum. It’s used in chemical
tanks and conductive bus bars.
•2000 series aluminum has copper alloy and is common in aircraft and aerospace
applications.
•3000 series have manganese alloy—common in cookware and in vehicles.
•4000 series use silicon, lowering the alloy’s melting point. Welders often use
this alloy.
•5000 series have magnesium and silicone and make up structural pieces like
beams, tubes, and angles.
•7000 series have zinc alloys and offer high strength in aerospace and sporting
industries.
 FINISHES GIVEN TO ALLUMINIUM

The 2 main reasons for the importance of finishing choice:

 Reason #1: Finishes can improve corrosion resistance.
Aluminum has a naturally occurring oxide film that protects it from corrosion. This oxide film
is sufficient for many applications. But in extreme environments, extra protection may be
needed.
 Reason #2: Finishes can enhance the appearance of the aluminum.
Depending on the look you are trying to achieve, you will need to select the appropriate
finish. Maybe you want something that’s brightly colored. Maybe you’re trying to achieve a
“mirror” finish. You need to choose a finish that will give you the look you want to achieve.
Here are 7 different types of finishes for extruded aluminum:

#1 Mechanical Finishes
Aluminum can be buffed, blasted, polished, grinded or sanded. These finishes can improve surface
quality or prepare the aluminum for other cosmetic finishes.

#2 Pretreatment
The aluminum is either etched or cleaned with alkaline or acidic materials. Then a pretreatment
coating is applied. This coating enhances powder or paint adhesion and provides resistance against
corrosion.( Have you ever had your car sprayed down before being sent through a car wash? That is the same idea as
pretreatment, which is the process of removing soils and other contaminants in order to prepare metal parts for better surface
finishing.
Pretreatments enhance not only how well coating adheres to a surface but also reduces the rate of surface corrosion. An effective
pretreatment truly depends on high-quality chemical formulations to properly remove all soil from the surface of aluminum or
other metals.)

#3 Bright Dipping
Bright dipping is a treatment that combines strong acids to remove heavy deposits or oxides from the surface of raw
aluminum. In addition to helping remove burrs and other surface defects, bright dipping can also create a range of
surface textures – depending on the metal and finishing process used, bright dipping can produce anything from
matte to bright and lustrous finishes.
#4 Anodizing
Anodizing is an electrochemical finishing method that forms a layer of oxide on the
surface of a metal, thus increasing corrosion resistance. By reducing the amount of wear-
and-tear on aluminum parts, it also offers better adhesion for primers, paints, and glues.
Other metals can be anodized, but aluminum is the best fit for this type of finishing.
Anodizing is one of the most common chemical finishings that we pretreat materials for.

#5 Liquid Paint
Liquid paint is a common choice for various industrial applications, especially ideal for
parts that cannot withstand high temperatures that are required for other finishing
techniques, such as powder coating. It’s flexibility to apply to various tolerances (where
paint can be applied thicker or thinner as needed) makes for easy use. Colors can even be
mixed on-site for a more customized finish, and color-changing can be done quickly.

#6 Powder Coating
Powder coating is a dry finishing process for aluminum. It’s made up of finely ground
particles of pigment and resin that, when applied, is delivered through an electrode-fitted
spray gun. As the powder passes through it becomes statically charged, allowing it to coat
the aluminum and remain until permanently cured. Because powder coating is extremely
durable and is available in nearly limitless color and texture options, it makes a popular
option for aluminum finishes.
#7 Sublimation
The process of sublimation is the changing from solid to gas without the in-between step of liquid. A common example of
sublimation is dry ice, which transforms from a solid to carbon dioxide without getting wet.
The sublimation coating process is essentially an “iron-on” coating – you take the paper with the dyes or inks that you want as
your coating, press them to your application, and apply heat. Once heated, the dyes you used to turn to gas and are absorbed
onto the surface of your application.
 USES OF ALLUMINIUM

• Aluminium is widely used in the packaging industry for the production of coils, cans, foils, and other
wrapping materials.
• It is also a component of many commonly used items such as utensils and watches.
• In construction industries, aluminium is employed in the manufacture of doors, windows, wires, and
roofing.
• It is used in the transport industry for the production of cycles, spacecraft, car bodies, aircraft and
marine parts.
• Many coins are made up of alloys that contain aluminium.
• Aluminium also finds applications in the production of paints, reflective surfaces, and wires.
• Aluminium is used in production of consumer goods(Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and flat screen TVs
are being made with an increasing amount of aluminum.)
• Used in production of space craft and aircraft components.
Alloys have common names, but they may be identified using a four-digit number. The first digit of
the number identifies the class or series of alloy.
1xxx - Commercially pure aluminum also has a four-digit numerical identifier. Series 1xxx alloys are made of
99 percent or higher purity aluminum.
2xxx - The principal alloying element in the 2xxx series is copper. Heat treating these alloys improves their strength. These
alloys are strong and tough, but not as corrosion resistant as other aluminum alloys, so they are usually painted or coated for
use. The most common aircraft alloy is 2024. Alloy 2024-T351 is among the hardest of the aluminum alloys.

3xxx - The main alloying element in this series is manganese, usually with a smaller amount of magnesium. The most
popular alloy from this series is 3003, which is workable and moderately strong. 3003 is used to make cooking utensils. Alloy
3004 is one of the alloys used to make aluminum cans for beverages.
4xxx - Silicon is added to aluminum to make 4xxx alloys. This lowers the melting point of the metal without making it brittle.
This series is used to make welding wire. Alloy 4043 is used to make filler alloys for welding cars and structural elements.
5xxx - The principal alloying element in the 5xxx series is magnesium. These alloys are strong, weldable, and resist marine
corrosion. The 5xxx alloys are used to make pressure vessels and storage tanks and for various marine applications. Alloy
5182 is used to make the lid of aluminum beverage cans. So, aluminum cans actually consist of at least two alloys!
6xxx - Silicon and magnesium are present in 6xxx alloys. The elements combine to form magnesium silicide. These alloys are
formable, weldable, and heat treatable. They have good corrosion resistance and moderate strength. The most common alloy
in this series is 6061, which is used to make truck and boat frames. Extrusion products from the 6xxx series are used in
architecture and to make the iPhone 6.
7xxx - Zinc is the principal alloying element in the series starting with the number 7. The resulting alloy is heat-treatable and
very strong. Important alloys are 7050 and 7075, both used to construct aircraft.
8xxx - These are aluminum alloys made with other elements. Examples include 8500, 8510, and 8520.
9xxx - Presently, the series starting with the number 9 is unused