We are a specialist metal supplier that is known for providing a wide collection of products. In fact, we are confident we have one of the most interesting selections in the UK because it features some hard to find resources. It also includes grade 5251 aluminium bar and plate in a range of sizes. Our team works to offer the best metals for the greatest price tags. In addition, we strive to deliver every order quickly so there are no long lead times.
How do you make aluminium plate?
As a long standing company, we have a huge amount of knowledge to share. It can cover topics like properties of materials, processing, and even how to make different products.
With aluminium plate, you make it by passing the metal through high pressure rollers. This way, you force it to take on a longer, narrower shape. It is a surprisingly simple procedure that you can use to make aluminium foil and sheet too.
As opposed to a myriad of other metals, it is entirely possible to roll and re-roll aluminium. This is until it is precisely the correct gauge for your requirements. With other metals, they would fatigue much more easily.
The rolling procedure decides whether your end product shall be plate. Typically, this is a quarter of an inch or higher in thickness. We offer grade 5251 aluminium bar and plate in a range of thicknesses.
Further processing can create sheets, which tend to be between 0.249 and 0.006 inches thick. Or you can go even further and get foil, which is less than 0.0079 of an inch thick. The thickness of sheet and foil can overlap at times by 0.006-0.0079 of an inch.
Production steps
Even after working with aluminium for so long ourselves, we still find the production process intriguing. The operation starts with a huge set of pre-heated metal sheet ingots. They can weigh as much as 20 tonnes. Usually, the ingots would be roughly over two feet thick, twenty feet long, and six feet wide.
The producer will feed them into a breakdown mill and roll them back and forth. This is necessary until the metal reaches the correct thickness. To ensure the item will be as durable and strong as possible, it is wise to heat treat the plate. Afterwards, cool it quickly using a procedure called quenching.
You can use straightening and stretching methods during this stage to relieve the build-up of interior stresses. Next, you would trim the plate to size and ‘age’ it at a prearranged temperature. This will supply it with the qualities it needs.
Further processing
For aluminium plate that shall become foil or sheet, it will get trimmed once it leaves the breakdown mill. Following this, it shall go through what is known as a continuous mill. That will make it even thinner before you coil and heat it again within a furnace. We do this to soften it to prepare it for cold rolling. For those that don’t know, rolling tends to be the last stage during the sheet production operation. In some cases additional heat treatment will be done to amplify the metal’s strength.
Plate applications
As for aluminium plate’s applications, they are considerable. You can use plates for heavy-duty projects. Normally, these are in the transport, machinery, and aerospace sectors. For example, you can use them for the frames of security and military vehicles as well as ships and railway carriages.
You are also free to machine a plate into shape in order to skin spaceship fuel tanks and jumbo jets. It is the same with storage tanks and various other industrial containers. Some aluminium alloys become even stronger when they are cold. Therefore, you can use them to effectively contain low temperature materials.
There are lots of smaller scale uses for the plate too. For example, we employ it in packaging to make food tins. It is also excellent for kitchenware, home appliances, trailers, and more. You can use it to make road signs, car license plates, and much more.
Another option you have is to anodise the plates to generate a stunning finish in most colours. You are able to polish it to an incredibly high sheen or etch it to supply a classy matt finish. If you need grade 5251 aluminium bar and plate, please contact us.
What makes the 5000 grade series special?
With the 5000 series of aluminium grades, you include magnesium in the alloy. Some also hold extra elements like chromium or manganese. They come with a wonderful degree of corrosion resistance. This makes them a popular choice for marine applications.
These impressively versatile alloys have moderate weldability and strength. They also respond positively to forming and working.
Shop with us for grade 5251 aluminium bar and plate
At Brindley Metals, we offer a multi-metal, multi-product service. Instead of picking something for our customers, we leave the choice to you. Or, if you need help we can advise you.
If you need grade 5251 aluminium bar and plate in particular, we can definitely supply it. So, contact us today for pricing and to place an order.