Aluminum Flat Bar

Aluminum is one of the top three most abundant elements on the planet, and it has established a place among the most popular metals to work with. It’s commonly used in construction, aerospace, food processing, transportation, electronic devices, power lines, medical equipment, and a long list of other scenarios. If you’re looking for a metal to work with, chances are aluminum flat bar will fit the bill.

Advantages of Aluminum over Other Materials
Aluminum offers a number of benefits when compared to other metals and materials in general. Depending on how and where it’s used as well as the quality of the aluminum, it could last anywhere from several decades to a few centuries. That’s only the beginning.

• Strength. Aluminum flat bar provides superior strength. This varies by grade, but 6061 aluminum, in particular, has a shear strength of 30 kilopounds per square inch, a yield point of 40 ksi, and a tensile strength of 45 ksi. In other words, it doesn’t give under pressure.
  
  
• Workability. Despite its strength, aluminum is easy to work with. It can be machined, welded, pressed, and molded to name a few possibilities. You can transform aluminum flat bar into virtually anything from artwork and decorative architectural pieces to bolts and framework.
  
  
• Resistance. Unlike steel and many other materials, aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion. It can withstand exposure to chemicals and marine environments as well as many other hazards. It also holds up well to high temperatures and constant wear and tear.

At the same time, aluminum flat bar is suitable for further processing. It can be cold formed to add strength and versatility. You can also flatten, shape, and roll it among many other options without sacrificing its other sought-after qualities.

Delving into Aluminum Flat Bar Grades
Aluminum comes in many grades. Each one has a distinct list of benefits and possible applications. That said, not all of them are right for all uses.

• Aluminum 2011. Though it’s not as strong as other aluminum alloys, 2011 is often used for making machine parts, high-precision components, small gears, and the like. It gives users the option of making parts quickly and easily.
  
  
• Aluminum 2017. Aluminum 2017 works well for machining and is suitable for heat treating. Though it can be welded, doing so detracts from its corrosion resistance. It’s used to make numerous products, including rivets, screws, aerospace components, and pulleys.
  
  
• Aluminum 2024. Offering greater strength and higher tension and corrosion resistance than 2017, aluminum 2024 is used for high-stress applications like bolts and aircraft parts. This grade of aluminum doesn’t work as well for machining as some of its counterparts.
  
  
• Aluminum 6061. Because of its heightened strength, workability, weldability, resistance to corrosion, and other positive traits, 6061 aluminum is one of the most widely used alloys. It’s used in everything from building motorcycles and boats to making electrical fittings and structural reinforcements.
  
  
• Aluminum 6063. Weldability, resistance, durability, and formability are among the main strong suits of 6063 aluminum. It’s the alloy often used in window and door frames. It’s also a prime option for creating ornamental architectural elements. Aluminum 6063 takes to heat treatment more readily than some other alloys.
  
  
• Aluminum 6262. Certain types of aluminum 6262 are more readily machinable than other alloys and are stronger than 6061. This alloy is used for making couplings, fittings, and metalworking components among many other applications.
  
  
• Aluminum 7075. Aluminum 7075 can’t be machined or formed as well as 6061 and other alloys, and it’s less corrosion-resistant than some of its counterparts. Still, it’s extremely strong and hard. This aluminum alloy is typically used for making molds, certain aircraft components, and some structural elements. It’s beneficial when you need the strength of steel in a lighter material.

Those are the most common aluminum grades. If you’re looking for strength as opposed to malleability, 7075 would be the best option. When it comes to machineability, 2017, 6061, 6063, and some varieties of 6262 might be the better choice.

All Things Considered
For those looking for a metal supplier near me, it’s important to keep all these points in mind when deciding which aluminum is best. Also remember that numerous widths, lengths, and thicknesses of aluminum flat bar are available. No matter the type of project you have in mind, you’re bound to find aluminum flat bar that suits your needs.