First of all, let us clarify the trade terminology contained in the phrase Aluminum Square Bar. Aluminum is the most widely used metal today with uses ranging from soft drink cans to cooking foil to light weight struts, supports and panels.
100% pure aluminum is rarely used and the metal is usually alloyed with small traces of other elements such as silicon, manganese, chrome, iron, titanium, etc. The alloys may serve to aid production techniques or to improve or stabilize certain properties.
Square in this sense does mean a square where all four sides are of equal dimension but, it specifically refers to the shape you would see if you were to cut the piece at 90° across its length and look at the exposed cut ends – this is known as the cross-sectional view.
Bar refers to the complete length of the square sectioned aluminum that has been shaped by squeezing a billet of aluminum through an extrusion press and the result cut to predetermined lengths.
Aluminum comes from a smelter and separate companies might add the alloying elements before passing along bulk size billets for processing by rolling, extrusion or other means. In the case of Aluminum Square Bar, the extruding company will probably then sell his production to a stockist of aluminum extrusions.
The manufacturing sector will be the next link in the purchase chain. They might be buying the Aluminum Square Bar to use it almost as it is by simply cutting it into shorter lengths that they can use as struts or beams in a structure or the side frames in cabinets (especially those housing electronic equipment). However, it should be noted that channel or angled extrusions are often more practical in this area of usage. The main benefit of aluminium being that it can provide good strength without excessive weight and has good resistance to corrosion. At one time, most aircraft used a lot of aluminum but this has been reduced by increased use of titanium in aircraft manufacture.
Perhaps most Aluminum Square Bar finds its way into machine shops where it will be machined into lightweight components for inclusion in finished products such as the ports and manifolds used to control hydraulic or pneumatically operated equipment. Another advantage of Aluminum Square Bar is that, in the correct alloy, it is a relatively easy metal to machine (i.e. quicker production times and improved surface finish).
Howard Precision Metals Inc. are a major stockist of Aluminum Square Bar in 6061-T6511 alloy from ¼ up to 6 inch square in 12 foot lengths. Visit our website for more details.
