Aluminum – Your Key to Sustainable Building
In the world of industrial metal in Arizona, sustainable building practices are becoming more important. As customers look to lower their overhead cost, and prioritize eco-friendly sourcing, it’s important to respond to these preferences.
Aluminum is the go-to choice for sustainable manufacturing and construction for a variety of reasons:
- An impressive 90% of aluminum used in construction today is recycled. Aluminum can be recycled over and over again without losing any of its inherent qualities.
- Recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than what’s used in the creation of new aluminum.
- Aluminum can be a great substitute for other, less sustainable, building materials. We’ve seen an upward trend of builders replacing lumber with aluminum in their building plans with great success. This reduces deforestation and project maintenance.
Aluminum is also a budget friendly choice for industrial practices. It’s relatively light weight, which makes for more efficient transport. It’s resistant to rust and corrosion, making it a sound investment. Aluminum is immune to UV ray damage, which is important in Arizona’s desert sun. It also has an impressive weight to strength ratio, leading to lasting durability
Different grades for different needs
Have you wondered about aluminum grades and what they’re best suited for? For the most thorough answers to your metal questions, you should give Arizona Iron Supply a call and talk with our team of experts. But in the meantime, here’s a starter guide:
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1100 Aluminum
This alloy is soft yet strong, and is the purest aluminum available. It’s widely-used and has superb forming properties. It welds well, and does not harden when heated. Common applications for this grade include cooking utensils, chemical equipment, heat exchangers, and decorative trim. -
6061 Aluminum
This grade is very strong, with a high resistance to corrosion, and a high tolerance to heat. It also possesses high machinability and weldability. The 6061 aluminum alloy is a great choice for automotive parts, aerospace structures, stairs and flooring, building frameworks, medical implants, and sporting goods. -
3003 Aluminum
This alloy is lower in cost and is very widely used. With a small amount of manganese added in for strength, it’s considered an all-purpose grade. It has good formability, making it a beneficial choice for rolling, stamping, or spinning. This metal is a popular choice for a variety of applications including gutters, garage doors, storage tanks, appliances, mailboxes, signage, insulation panels, and much more. While this alloy does not possess the tolerance for extreme heat that other alloys possess, and it ranks lower in corrosion resistance, it will likely work well in most applications.
Arizona Iron Supply carries these aluminum alloys plus more, in a huge range of forms, finishes, and quantities, and we can’t wait to tell you about them. We also carry an impressive array of other metals as well! As Arizona’s premier choice for industrial metal supply, we’re ready to help. We’ll answer your questions, offer guidance based on decades of experience, and work with you to meet your job requirements. We understand the value of a reliable supplier, and we won’t rest until you’re satisfied.
