There are many options to choose from regarding welding techniques: MIG, TIG, arc and laser are just a few. Friction welding has been a recent addition to the field of welding technologies available, and it has been gaining in popularity for many applications. Aluminum is notorious for being difficult to weld because it is a…
Ultrasonic testing (or USI, ultrasonic inspection) is one of the best ways to ensure that aluminum plate and other materials meet certain thresholds of material integrity. It exposes hidden flaws and imperfections that would have otherwise gone undetected. What is ultrasonic testing? Ultrasonic inspection is a form of non-destructive testing that propagates high frequency sound…
Cold spraying is a technique that is prolonging the life of many high performance aluminum parts. Durability is one of the advantages of aluminum but even the most resilient alloys are subject to wear and damage. A relatively recent development, cold spraying allows manufacturers to protect and repair metal parts and products. It is especially…
When specifying aluminum, how to process the material into the desired part reliably and cost-effectively is an important consideration. Cold forming is one of the methods manufacturers employ to achieve this goal. While there are a few options when it comes to cold forming, one of the fastest growing techniques is known as impact extrusion.…
Stainless steel has become indispensable in countless different industries over the past one hundred years. Since its inception in the early 20th century, metallurgists and material scientists have continued to develop new stainless steel alloys that perform better than industry standards, as well as accomplish more demanding functions that can only be accomplished with high-performance…
Corrosion resistance is one of the foremost benefits of aluminum, as evidenced by its tremendous popularity among manufacturers and product designers. It’s important to recognize that each family of aluminum alloys offers varying degrees of corrosion protection. Aluminum, despite only becoming commercially viable as a material in the last 100 years, is well known for…
Machinability is roughly defined as how easy it is to cut a particular kind of metal. If a metal is easy to machine, it will require low power and will cut quickly without excessive wear of the cutting tool. There is typically an inverse correlation between a metal’s durability and machinability. The challenge for manufacturers…
Most people don’t put much thought into where aluminum comes from, but it’s something that manufacturers, fabricators, designers and consumers of aluminum products should give some thought to. That’s because the global supply of raw aluminum has a direct impact on their business, and in turn can affect the final cost of the products consumers…
Aluminum has dramatically impacted the way manufacturers design and build their products since its introduction over a century ago. It’s combination of strength, light weight, versatility and corrosion resistance make it a cost effective choice for any industry. No material is perfect, however, and as resilient as aluminum is, it may be necessary to add…
Aluminum and its many alloys have transformed the way we build, move, and communicate. It’s nearly impossible to name an industry that hasn’t been impacted in the past century by the introduction of aluminum alloys. There is a certain paradox about aluminum that helps explain why there are so many alloys on the market today.…
As manufacturing look towards the future, there’s no doubt that automation is one of the key technologies that is transforming the way industries operate. From the AI revolution to self-driving cars to robotic manufacturing lines, what all these different provinces have in common is automation. One of the key contributors to automation in all its…
When it comes to our national defense, aluminum alloys have an important role to play. From the rockets and aircraft protecting our skies, to the armor plating of tanks and transport vehicles, aluminum has been a critical component of our country’s military efforts since before World War II. One often overlooked use for modern aluminum…
Aluminum may not be the first metal a person thinks of when someone mentions armor plating, but with the recent advances in high performance aluminum alloys, more and more manufacturers are turning to aluminum for their armor plating needs. Aluminum has several characteristics that make it a perfect choice for armor plating, and the latest…
The US manufacturing economy has seen resounding growth in the first quarter of 2021. The Institute for Supply Management reported in early April that the index of national manufacturing activity jumped from 60.8 in February to 64.7 in March. An index above 50 indicates expansion, and this is the highest level since late 1983.[1] The…
Aluminum is one of the most prevalent and widely used metals in the industrial world, but most people don’t think about where it comes from. It may come as a surprise to realize that aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust, and the third most abundant element of any kind following oxygen…
Any manufacturer that produces plastic bottles, or any other hollow plastic container, is familiar with their common production methods. The most likely method is a technique known as blow molding, and there are several processes by which it is accomplished. Even if a company is not directly responsible for producing containers, but instead purchases them…
One part of the injection mold manufacturing process that frequently gets overlooked is texturing. It’s important to realize that any part made from an injection mold will naturally take on the texture of the mold surface, and this natural texture may not be suitable for a given application. For this reason, texture is a significant…
One aspect of procuring and fabricating stainless steel sheet that often gets overlooked is what finish to specify. Having the proper finish on your stainless steel product will go a long way to ensuring the long-term effectiveness and durability of a product. Spec the wrong finish, and it could render a finished product worthless. With…
A waterjet cutter is a versatile industrial tool that can perform cuts on a wide variety of metals and other materials. It works by directing a high-pressure jet of water flowing at such high velocity it cuts through the metal or other material. To make the cutter even more effective, an abrasive can be added…
Stamping is an invaluable process for many manufacturers. It shapes metal sheet into a wide variety of parts in a consistent manner. It grants producers a highly specific method of controlling the production process, and because of the many options available it can fit nearly any need. This versatility implies that manufacturers have a great…
The London Metal Exchange and Midwest Spot Aluminum Ingot Pricing Mechanisms The price of aluminum is in constant flux, and this has a great deal to do with the London Metal Exchange and its correlation to Midwest spot aluminum ingot pricing mechanisms. What factors go into how raw aluminum gets priced and how do the…
Although the manufacture of aluminum is itself an energy-intense process, many do not realize the role aluminum plays in the power grid and power generation industries. It turns out that aluminum has many attributes that make it an essential material when it comes to the ability to efficiently generate and transmit electricity over long distances.…
Informed manufacturers understand the benefit of knowing about the full variety of stress relieving processes available for aluminum alloys. Having a stable, durable aluminum product able to withstand stresses is a requirement no matter what industry is being discussed. That’s why it’s helpful to have a thorough understanding of the various means for relieving stress,…