Aluminium is the most commonly found element in the earth’s crust. In the earlier times, this was a highly prized metal and while it was easily available, pure aluminium was extremely hard to obtain and that’s why it was considered quite valuable.
How aluminium rod is made
There are several methods in which aluminium rods are made. These are:
- Coiling and rolling
- Extrusion
- Drawing directly from molten aluminium
All these methods help in elongating the metal into rod like shapes that can be placed into different types of molds to create the shape of choice.
Rods are usually made using a procedure that is quite similar to the rolling sheet one.
- A square share ingot is placed under immense heat.
- It is passed through many rolls to cut it down into sections.
- These sections are then coiled.
- The coils are heated up further and thinned down to form bars and rods.
Points of value
In the present times, there are many reasons why aluminium is still so valuable.
- Weight – aluminium is very light in weight. It is around one-third the weight of steel. This feature has led to the massive use of this precious metal in the automotive industry. Not only does its use lower the energy consumption and dead weight of the vehicle, it also increases its load capacity.
- Conductivity – its thermal and electrical conductive qualities are phenomenal. Copper is well known for its power of conduction, and aluminium is doubly better than copper. In fact, aluminium is the metal of choice in huge power transmission projects.
- Mold-ability – it has both a low melting point and density. This makes it an extremely ductile metal. It can be easily molded into various forms for use in many different kinds of industries.
- Reflection – aluminium is great at reflecting light and heat. Also, it is light in terms of weight. All of these make it the metal of choice when it comes to manufacturing light fittings.
The rust- and corrosion-resistant property of aluminium’s oxide coating makes it excellent for applications where protection is a must.
Some products that can be made using these rods are:
- Zippers
- Antennas
- Twist-ties
- Machine parts, such as nails, screws, rivets, etc.
Aluminium is considered the most cost-effective metal in power transmission. And that is why it is so extensively used in the electricity transmission industry.
Most buyers looking for good quality aluminium rods and bars prefer to research well before they zero in on a provider. This is because poor quality metal products can lead to tremendous harm given the sensitive uses they are applied to. In the present times, it is advisable to go through consumer testimonials and online reviews before making a decision about the right manufacturer for such industrial requirements.