While we are all extremely familiar with many of the everyday applications of stainless steel, such as cutlery and kitchen appliances, not everyone is aware that stainless steel alloys are in fact a common fixture in nearly every industry. Because of the unique properties of certain types of steel, which is made up of carbon-reinforced…
DetailsStainless steel is renowned for its many beneficial attributes that have profoundly affected a wide variety of industries. Since its development more than a hundred years ago, stainless steel has been prized for its high strength and corrosion resistance at an affordable price point. These benefits include many welding applications as well. If you are…
DetailsStainless steel, since its development more than a hundred years ago, has become one of the world’s most popular and versatile materials, and is now indispensible in a variety of industries. This includes a number of uses specifically for stainless steel pipes, which benefit from the metal’s many positive properties. While steel had been around…
DetailsWe’re probably all familiar with the ISO certification that many facilities and products feature, but what exactly does this number represent, and where does it come from? Among the most common certifications is ISO 9001, also represented as ISO 9001:2015. Let’s take a look at where this abbreviation comes from and what it indicates about…
DetailsStainless steel, because of its versatility, strength, and affordability, is commonly found in nearly every industry. Everyone is familiar with the home uses for stainless steel, as it has become nearly ubiquitous in kitchen applications thanks to its corrosion resistance properties, including utensils, appliances, sauce pans, and containers. Of course, there’s much more to stainless…
DetailsThe selection of a particular material for an industrial application is important under any circumstances, as even slight differences in an alloy’s chemical makeup leads to vastly different performances. However, when your application must withstand an extreme environment, then having the right material with the suitable durability and resistance becomes imperative. This is especially true…
DetailsStainless steel, with its versatility and other tremendous benefits, is available in all shapes and sizes, not to mention the many different alloys and grades that it comes in. For manufacturers who rely on stainless steel for their industrial and commercial applications, knowing which material to choose can require a great deal of testing and…
DetailsStainless steel offers many advantages that make it a desirable material for a wide variety of applications. Top of the list is the tremendous diversity of alloys available, meaning that steel can be adapted to fit nearly any imaginable use. Just as an example, the alloy designated as 316 is commonly used in both the…
DetailsManufacturers understand the importance of selecting the right materials for a particular application. When working with metal, there have been so many advances in stainless steel and aluminum that even minute differences between alloys, or even between various shapes and extrusions, can lead to widely varying results when incorporated into modern day production processes. This…
DetailsWhen it comes time to pick a material for your product or manufacturing process, characteristics such as weight, strength, corrosion resistance, and cost are usually top of mind. That is what has made stainless steel such an important metal for the past one hundred years. With so many alloys to choose from, there most likely…
DetailsIf you have been working in industrial metals for a while, then you are probably familiar with the wide array of saw options that you have at your disposal. Especially when using aluminum, it is important to be able to shape and fit your material both precisely and efficiently. That’s why a good saw is…
DetailsFew materials have revolutionized such a vast number of industries as aluminum. Dating back to the late 19th century when the process for smelting aluminum was first developed, allowing for its large-scale production, this element has become an increasing part of our everyday lives, whether we are aware of it or not. From aviation to…
DetailsThe first thoughts many people have when they think about the industrial uses of aluminum alloys are often beverage cans or aircraft, two important examples of how aluminum has transformed modern industries. But while boats may not be among the most well-known applications for aluminum, the marine industry has undergone a technological revolution thanks to…
DetailsMuch of the hard work that goes into product development happens before you actually begin production. Choosing the right tools and materials is among the most critical aspects of any job, and a failure in this regard can cost manufacturers an inordinate amount of both time and money. While the vast diversity of aluminum alloys…
DetailsAluminum is celebrated by manufacturers in almost every industry for its versatility. In fact, because of the tremendous diversity of aluminum alloys, aluminum is the solution of choice for a wide range of applications. However, its adaptability and variety also mean that it can be difficult to know which alloy is the right one for…
DetailsBecause of its tremendous versatility, aluminum is the raw material of choice for numerous applications in a variety of industries. One of the applications that is especially well suited for aluminum is extrusion. Both 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloys are popular choices for these applications, and because of their similarities, it can sometimes be difficult…
DetailsWith so many excellent and versatile aluminum alloys on the market to choose from, manufacturers have to be very careful in making their selections. Now more than ever, the need to match the right alloy to the right application is one of the primary factors in the success of a business. Your customers want to…
DetailsManufacturers know that when it comes to choosing an aluminum alloy, there are plenty of choices. Aluminum’s versatility and adaptability are part of what makes it so popular. However, it can also be difficult to know which specific alloy will perform best in any given application. This can be especially true when choosing between two…
DetailsThe rising popularity of aluminum, a trend that has continued for decades, began with the diversification of alloys in the early 20th century. In particular, the bourgeoning aircraft industry of the 1930’s spurred the rapid development of new alloys that were extremely light and extremely strong, perfect for airplanes. Two of those new alloys were…
DetailsRiding the rails isn’t as popular as it was 100 years ago, but trains still play a crucial role in a number of industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and logistics. Trains have come a long way from their steam and iron origins, and aluminum has had a lot to do with the modernization of the railway…
DetailsAluminum has been a popular material for architects for close to a century, prized for its versatility and strength. Its history as a building material is an interesting look at how a metal that was barely understood quickly revolutionized not only architecture, but many other industries as well. Prior to two hundred years ago, humanity…
DetailsThere are few metals that afford a comparable combination of versatility and affordability to what aluminum offers. It is one of the most abundantly available non-ferrous metals on the planet, and although it is unavailable directly, and must be extracted from bauxite, its prevalence in the twentieth century has led to countless innovations that have…
DetailsWhen it comes time to select an aluminum tooling plate product, manufacturers, no matter what the industry, must consider a number of factors that will impact the efficiency, quality, and cost of the production process. Two of the most popular tooling plate alloys are ATP-5 from Vista Metals and K100-s from Alpase, and it can…
DetailsWhen selecting materials for engineering purposes, many factors must be considered. Manufacturers understand that every metal alloy has unique properties that react to mechanical and chemical processes in specific ways. In order to maximize the efficiency and cost savings of any job, understanding these properties and deciding which particular alloy is best suited for the…
DetailsAluminum and steel are among the most commonly used materials in industrial processes, and for good reason. These popular metals offer many benefits and can be employed in a wide range of applications. Traditionally, each metal has served very distinct needs, and wouldn’t have been considered direct competitors when it comes to making decisions about…
DetailsManufacturers who frequently work with metal understand the importance of the anodizing process. Anodizing is an electrochemical procedure in which a metal surface is altered so that it has a durable, corrosion-resistant finish. The protective layer is formed from an anodic oxide that will last much longer than the original surface. Aluminum is one of…
DetailsA lot of considerations go into industrial moldmaking, but many producers focus only on the bottom line. The drive to reduce costs affects every part of the production process, and so finding a material that not only meets all the parameters required by the job but also is competitive in terms of price, is extremely…
DetailsWhen it comes to industrial processes, the two most commonly used metals are aluminum and steel. There has often been a clear distinction between applications that are best served by using steel, and those that generally employ aluminum. But with the constant innovation that is happening in the realm of aluminum alloys, even some of…
DetailsIn manufacturing, tooling is the process of producing the required components and machines for any given job. Manufacturing aids, or tools, including jigs, gauges, fixtures, molds, cutting tools, and specialized patterns that are of limited use on a specific production line or operation, must be produced in such as a way that they can operate…
DetailsIn industrial processes, a heat transfer exchanges the heat generated by a device away from that device to a fluid medium, such as air or a liquid coolant. In this manner, the heat is then dispersed, making it easier to maintain the device at optimal temperature levels. This process is commonly employed in numerous household…
DetailsAs every manufacturer knows, picking the proper material for a job is one of the most important factors for success when it comes to making products that are of superior quality and consistent performance. Many factors go into selecting the correct aluminum including cost, adaptability, versatility, durability, and final surface finish requirements. In addition to…
DetailsAluminum, because of its flexibility and adaptability, as well as its numerous alloys, has a range of industrial uses, including tooling and welding. It’s low cost and formability means that it’s ideal for prototyping, and its particular properties make it popular in all sorts of applications and products. But one area that requires a great…
DetailsWhen it comes to welding, choosing the right material is one of the most important considerations for a manufacturer. This is especially true when you are working with aluminum. With so many alloys to chose from, and with so much versatility and adaptability, it’s critical that you do your research and find the one that…
DetailsAs a material that is renown for its low density, versatility, and strength, aluminum is critical to a wide swath of industries, from aerospace to food and beverage. Its natural attributes also make aluminum a key material in the manufacture of guns and gun accessories. Because of its lightweight when compared to steel and other…
DetailsThe thermoform tooling process can be quite complex and involves a number of technical steps that require precision parts and handling. It is critically important to choose the best materials for the job, as mistakes and sub-optimal performance can cost a company time, money, and resources. One of the decisions that manufacturers must make is…
DetailsThermoform tooling is a manufacturing procedure for producing the tools needed in the thermoforming process. When thermoforming, the molds used to form the plastic could be made up of many different materials, such as wood or steel. However, one of the most cost effective and adaptable materials used in thermoform tooling is aluminum. Aluminum thermoforming…
DetailsHokotol, which is a brand name for a modified 7050 series alloy, and 7075 are zinc-rich aluminum alloys that are used to manufacture a wide range of products. With that in mind, here is detailed look at both of these alloys. What is Hokotol? HOKOTOL was originally developed as a high-strength aluminum alloy for the…
DetailsIf you are in the manufacturing industry, you may have gone into lengthy discussions with peers and colleagues about ATP-5 vs Mic-6. Before we begin the comparison, it is best to find out as much as we can about both of them. This will allow the readers to make an informed and educated decision if…
DetailsAt Clinton Aluminum, we strive to provide the best quality alloys for all our clients’ fabrication needs. Various industries we serve include electronics production, building construction, machine construction, and many more. One of our most popular products is Hokotol, and it’s frequently compared to the alloy QC-10. Both have similar properties, and Hokotol has gotten…
DetailsMoldMaking Technology is a magazine that publishes quality articles from around the metal industry, including topics on engineering, building, and maintenance. We contributed to the May 1, 2016 article titled, “Aluminum Welding,” along with our customer Accurate Welding. You can read the full article at: http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/aluminum-welding.
DetailsIt is a common misconception that aluminum, the same material used for cans and aluminum foil, is a weak metal. However, aluminum is both strong and versatile material that is uniquely suited for the performance racing industry and the production of cars. In addition to supplying strength and corrosion resistance, aluminum can help reduce the…
DetailsAluminum is the Earth’s most abundant metal and an incredibly versatile material. The combination of aluminum’s ductility, low density, high corrosion resistance along with its cost effectiveness, makes it a high-quality metal material that can easily be manipulated for a multitude of uses. Among its many functions, aluminum is a durable material choice for the…
DetailsAluminum is used as a strong material for various applications, though one of the most popular applications is in the automobile industry. Through the use of this strong, yet lightweight material, numerous products are able to be manufactured and distributed while being safe, effective and efficient at what they were made to do. While there…
DetailsClinton Aluminum is proud to support the next generation of engineers by helping them complete and execute various projects, and the Wayne State Warrior race team is one of them. They stopped by our booth at the Performance Racing show in Indianapolis in December, and we look forward to working with them again in the…
DetailsComputer numerical control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process that utilizes computers to oversee and control various machine tools, including lathes, routers, and mills. The process is used all around the world, particularly in the metalworking sector. Companies that utilize dies or molds in their manufacturing process are particularly affected by CNC machining, and it’s…
DetailsWhen it comes to the use of aluminum thermoforming, it refers to a process by which tools are produced from machined billet plates of aluminum under both certain temperatures and pressures. While many elect to use wood for this purpose, aluminum serves as the go-to option for lasting design and functionality purposes. Thermoform tooling, when…
DetailsThe Tsune TK5M-150GL is an industrial circular saw designed for high-volume cutting. This particular machine is designed specifically for cutting aluminum and comes equipped with a six inch diameter blade. The TK5M is specifically designed with industrial applications in mind and is extremely durable, weighing a little over 5,000 lbs. Why Use Circular Saws? Circular…
DetailsClinton ran an advertisement in Manufacturing Today to support our customer, Linear Mold. Linear Mold has been a customer of Clinton’s since their founding in 2003, and we are very happy to see their continued growth! View the entire article by mousing over the “THINKING LINEAR.” The section will turn yellow and click it to read the…
Details“Which aluminum alloy bends the best?” is a a common question customers want the answer to. In this post, we’ll explain it to you. Background In high purity forms, aluminum is soft and ductile. Bending is a delicate and demanding process most of the time and common fabricating processes require a degree of formability that…
DetailsAn alloy is a mixture of at least two or more metallic elements, usually made for the purpose of creating a new product which has greater strength and/or corrosion resistance. In this post, we’ll share how different alloys were developed. 6061 6061 aluminum was first introduced in 1935 and has gone on to become one of…
DetailsIn addition to being the Midwest’s # 1 supplier of aluminum and stainless steel plate products, Clinton is also a leader in providing specially customized aluminum extrusions. We work with our customer’s engineering department to determine the exact size and shape needed for their application and once the prints are finalized, they are sent to…
DetailsIn this post, we provide preparation, equipment specifications and welding data for the following four aluminum products. Click on any product to jump to it on this page. Products 1. Duramold-5 2. Duramold-2 3. M-1 4. Alumold 1. Duramold-5 Preparing the Plate for Welding When welding the Duramold-5 plate, the gas tungsten arc welding set…
DetailsThe 5083 Cast Tool & Jig Plate is designed to respond well to bright dip anodizing, a process which enhances both the aesthetic appeal and durability of an aluminum product. What Is Anodizing? Anodizing is a form of electrolytic passivation which adds an additional layer of oxide on the surface layer of the metal. There…
DetailsClinton is proud to be a PRO-level partner in Harbour Results new Harbour IQ product. This partnership is helping to bring new benchmarking data for the tool and die industry, and adds value to every level of production. Read the full press release.
DetailsClinton Aluminum will be exhibiting at the Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo, March 21-22 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI, it was announced today. The show features exhibitors that cover the entire range of automotive performance, from shade tree mechanics to professional race team parts and equipment. The show features over…
DetailsCast Tool & Jig plate (CT&J) is a generic reference for several different types or name brands of CT&J plates. The two brand name CT&J plates Clinton carries are the Vista ATP-5 and the Alpase K100-S plates, which are both a modified 5083 aluminum alloy. Our ATP-5 and K100-S are very similar products, except that…
DetailsClinton Aluminum offers two different aluminum plate products with superior flatness tolerance: the ATP-5 Aluminum Tooling Plate, and the K100-S Aluminum Tooling Plate. These two products offer different strengths and capabilities depending on what you desire. They both are recognized as superior aluminum choices for precision machine work. Aluminum plates offer several advantages over steel…
DetailsClinton Aluminum, in partnership with Vista Metals, provided a block of Duramold 5 aluminum for a customer open house and demonstration. Paragon Die and Engineering, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has entered into a partnership with Fidia and Delcam to assemble Fidia machinery in Paragon’s facility. To demonstrate the capability of this new machine, Paragon…
DetailsClinton Aluminum today announced the closing of their Kitchener, Ontario facility, effective at the end of this month. Orders currently on the books in Kitchener will be fulfilled by the end of the month. Taking of new orders will be consolidated into the Clinton Aluminum call center in northeast Ohio, effective immediately. Clinton Aluminum will continue to…
DetailsClinton Aluminum is now stocking cast tool and jig plate product in metric thicknesses of 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm These items are domestically produced to the same exacting flatness and finish tolerances of Clinton’s standard cast tool and jig plate inventory. These new stock sizes complement Clinton’s already industry-leading inventory of aluminum plate products,…
Details“Conflict Minerals” are minerals containing tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold such as cassiterite, columbrite-tantalite, coltan, and wolframite which originate in countries of conflict including: Angola, Burundi, Congo Republic, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. A significant portion of the profits from mining are used to finance…
DetailsClinton is proud to be a sponsor of the 2013 OESA vendor tooling study. This study covers every aspect of the $10B vendor tooling market. Data was compiled from all the North American OEM automakers, 25 Tier One suppliers, and 50 tooling suppliers. Clinton Aluminum is the largest distributor of aluminum mold plate in North…
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