Aluminium
Being the most abundant metal on the planet and the most commonly used of the non-ferrous metals, we probably take this remarkable element for granted. Never underestimate its power however for it has remarkable properties. It is around one third the weight of steel yet boasts a high strength/weight ratio. It revolutionised the aviation industry and continues to dominate many areas of industry. A few reasons why Aluminium is so popular:
- Almost fully recyclable without degradation
- Huge weight/strength/ ratio
- Highly malleable – easily formed
- Excellent conduction of heat and electricity
- Strong, natural resistance to any corrosion due to its reaction with oxygen. It forms a thin barrier which even repairs itself!
- Highly reflective of visible light and radiated heat
- Non-toxic (but we wouldn’t advise an aluminium sandwich)
Aluminium is alloyed with other metals to make it useful. The purest alloys are the 1xxx grades. To the right is a guide to the most common grades we deal with and supply.
ALUMINIUM ALLOY 6082 T6
A high strength alloy making it ideal for use in our aluminium treadplate products.
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Easily welded
ALUMINIUM ALLOY 1050A H14
A half hard alloy making it ideal for use for cold working and folding applications.
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Easily welded
- Can be cold worked
ALUMINIUM ALLOY 5754
A high strength alloy making it ideal for use in our aluminium treadplate products.
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Easily welded
- Can be cold worked
Brass
An alloy of copper and zinc, brass is very popular in decorative applications. Widely used by model makers and artists, it is found in an extensive and diverse range of applications. A few reasons why Brass is so popular:
- High corrosion resistance
- High tensile strength
- Low friction making it ideal for use in locks, gears and bearings
- Highly malleable making it easy to form while retaining high strength
- Easily machined
- Good heat and electricity conductivity
- Spark resistant
The copper and zinc content varies to create Brass grades with differing properties as shown on the right.
Brass Alloy CZ121M
One of the most popular brass alloys on the market today for the following reasons:
- Highly machinable – this grade is the standard against which other copper alloys are measured
- Suitable for soldering
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- High strength
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is the name of a type of iron based alloys which are known for being corrosion and heat resistant, the main reason for it’s corrosion resistance is that the minimum content of Chromium is 10.5%, which is higher than other types of steel and so is corrosion resistant by up to 200 times.
The common make up of most Stainless Steel is Iron, Carbon, Chromium, Nickel, Magnesium, Molybdenum and Nitrogen.
There are other properties that make Stainless Steel the favourable choice like it’s high strength and durability, it can take both high and low temperatures, it can be formed and fabricated with ease, it is long lasting and also recyclable, making it environmentally friendly.
Stainless Steel 303
Is a 300 series Stainless Steel and is the best machineable austenitic Stainless Steel
What makes 303 or 1.4305 so machineable is it’s Sulphur content.
The corrosion resistance and durability of 303 is lower than that of 304 which is also due to it’s Sulphur content
- Nuts and Bolts
- Springs
- Bushes
Stainless Steel 304
Is a 300 series of Stainless Steel and is classified as a Chromium-Nickel austenitic Stainless.
Grade 304 or 1.4301 is often referred to as 18/8 Stainless steel, this is in reference to it’s 18% Chromium and 8% nickel content. It is classed as food safe and so is often used in kitchen ware such as pots and pans
- Forming and welding
- Excellent durability – Even in very low temperatures
- Easy cleaning