Use of aluminum profiles in practice

Aluminum all around us

Products made of aluminum material are all around us. You might be surprised what aluminum can be used for. Just look around a little. Aluminum profiles are made from aluminum, thanks to its practical properties:

  • simple assembly
  • light but still strong material
  • corrosion resistant
  • possibility of subsequent surface treatment
  • variable 
  • high durability
  • Affordable
  • indoor and outdoor use
  • nice look

All these properties predetermine its wide use. But let's first have a brief look at what aluminum profiles actually are and how they are produced.

                                  

What are aluminum profiles and how are they made?

Aluminum material or its alloy is used for the production of aluminum profiles. For their production, you can choose methods such as forging, rolling, but the most common method is extrusion. Generally, this method works on the principle of extruding material through a hole (or holes) to create a long profile with the same cross-section. Simply put: imagine what it looks like when toothpaste is squeezed out of a tube. Of course, the process of creating aluminum profiles is a bit more complicated, but the idea is the same.

The aluminum material is heated to a temperature between 400°C and 500°C in a special chamber in the extrusion press. Pressure is then applied using the "ram" and the material is thus forced to flow through a smaller opening on the opposite side of the press. The opening has the required cross-section that we want the final product to have – an aluminum profile. After extrusion, the profiles are cut to the desired length while still warm.

The extrusion method has the advantage that you can get aluminum profiles of different sizes and types. The basic types are divided into solid, hollow and semi-hollow. Profiles are made from bars that are most often square, rectangular or round in shape. As the name suggests, full profiles have a completely filled inner part, with semi-hollow ones you can imagine something like the shape of the letter "C".

Why are aluminum profiles so popular?

Aluminum is a great material that can be used in a variety of areas. Its highlighted feature is low weight with high resistance. Thanks to this, it is used in construction, in industry or even in aviation. Another nice feature is its resistance to corrosion and the possibility of its subsequent treatment (whether you want to paint it, color it or perhaps polish it to give it a shiny look). Its good electrical and thermal conductivity is not to be thrown away at all. And last but not least, we cannot fail to notice the practical variability. During the extrusion process, you can shape the aluminum profile into different shapes, shorten it to the desired length, and then connect it afterwards without having to weld it firmly. You will get an aluminum profile that will be exactly according to your ideas.

Another and important point why we like aluminum profiles is that it is relatively cheap. Its production is not so expensive, both financially and time-wise.

What can aluminum profiles be useful for?

Here you will find a list of examples where the use of aluminum profiles will not be a bad choice at all:

3D printers

If you are one of the do-it-yourselfers who like to build a 3D printer yourself or upgrade it, aluminum profiles will be perfect for assembling the frame structure. The great advantage of aluminum profiles in this case will be their variability. They can be easily adjusted to the desired length, they are easily attached to each other and they are light in weight. 

                   

Household

Aluminum profiles are not only used in industrial areas. You can also find them in homes, for example as slats for outdoor blinds, windowsills or garages. They will be perfect as sunshades, as they will ensure that the interior does not get too hot, but at the same time lets in light. And the fact that, thanks to its lightness, it does not negatively affect the statics of the building and looks modern, is just the icing on the cake. In the interior, you can see aluminum profiles, for example, on window sills or radiators. Aluminum profiles will certainly not be an unknown term for animal breeders. They can easily be used to build, for example, aviaries or other outdoor exhibits and enclosures. 

Architecture and construction

In this industry, you like to reach for aluminum profiles because of their lightness and strength. So they will be suitable for various structures, railings, shelters, grandstands. Simply wherever you need a material that is light but can handle a heavy load.

Construction

If you have ever visited a trade fair, you have most likely come across stands made of aluminum profiles. We have already mentioned properties such as lightness and strength, among others there is also variability - you can connect the profiles as you like and thus create the desired structure, which you can finally modify according to your wishes (paint, color, etc.). Which can also be useful for showcases or various frames.

Electrical systems

Because aluminum material is a good conductor, it can also be used in electrical equipment such as lighting (especially in the increasingly popular LED lamps). Another example is an aluminum radiator or support structures for photovoltaic (solar) panels. Especially for roof-mounted panels, aluminum has proven itself due to its light weight, strength and corrosion resistance.

Industry

You just have to look at any factory and there will be plenty of aluminum products (work tables, assembly lines, trolleys). Aluminum profiles are relatively easy to modify, whether you want to drill or cut them. Another example is the construction of frames around industrial machines. If you supplement them with polycarbonate plates, the frames can also function as protection for employees who work near the machines.

                                                                                            

Transportation

Lightness and strength of the material used are very important for transportation. A clear example is aviation, but also car trailers. Aluminum profiles can also be found in motorhomes, where their anti-corrosion properties and the possibility of their modification come in handy. If you focus on polishing them, the resulting appearance can resemble chrome, so you don't have to worry about it even in the interior.  

You can buy aluminum profiles on our e-shop in the section: Construction - Aluminum profiles . The profiles are sold already cut to specific dimensions, or if interested, they can be cut according to the customer's wishes. In our assortment you will also find connecting material such as nuts, corners or even screws.