Aluminum sheets and plates are some of the practical products used in various industries. The substance itself offers a multitude of advantages and benefits, including lightweight characteristics and having corrosion resistance. Manufacturers utilize aluminum to create products in the form of plates or sheets, both of which can be recycled and used many times without losing any of their physical properties.
Aluminum sheets and plates result from essential pure aluminum rolling and pressing into panel form under high pressure. Later manufacturers utilize these industrial materials in producing other products, including building materials, cladding systems, vehicles, etc. For instance, Aluminum composite materials, also known as ACM panels, are modern building materials made from aluminum plates and sheets.
Aluminum Sheets and Plates Differences
Most people think of aluminum sheets and plates as the same industrial product. However, there is a slight difference between these functional materials. For knowing their differences, it is better to understand each one thoroughly.
Aluminum Sheets
Aluminum Sheets are the forms of aluminum that are used most often in the industry. Customers can find them in all of the significant markets of industrial materials. Aluminum sheets are the perfect substances for developing building cladding materials such as aluminum sidings. However, due to their various advantages, these products are also suitable for producing packages and cans in the packaging industry. Moreover, these sheet metals are valuable for making tractor-trailers and vehicle body parts in the transportation industry. Aluminum sheets are also practical for cookware and home appliances.
Manufacturers create aluminum sheets and plates with various finishes and colors such as red, blue, gold, black through the color anodizing process. Additionally, these paneling materials can feature a matte finish or be polished to have a bright, sparkling appearance for modern building cladding systems. Some manufacturers make aluminum sheets to resemble wood with textures and make the perfect material for building facades known as aluminum wood sidings.
Aluminum sheets are available in many suitable types, including perforated, Chequered, anodized, composite, and brushed aluminum sheets and plates. The perforated aluminum sheets, widely used in exterior and interior design projects, are popular due to their aesthetic appearance. They are suitable for floors, claddings, ceilings, sunshades, and other architectural or decorative purposes. Chequered aluminum sheets and plates are sheet metal panels that involve raised hatch marks on the side, forming a generally embossed pattern to a height of about 1.5mm. This type is relatively thick and sturdy, improving the impact resistance and load-bearing properties of industrial floorings. On the other hand, anodized aluminum sheets and plates feature an oxide layer on their surfaces with a particular thickness, increasing the corrosion-resistant characteristics of these products. ACP or aluminum composite panels are manufactured with two layers of aluminum sheets and one fire-retardant core, making these products the perfect cladding material for modern buildings and construction applications.
Aluminum Plates
An aluminum plate system is an industrial material that is used for specific fields. This material is often utilized for heavy-duty purposes, particularly in the transportation products manufacturing, aerospace, and military industry. Since some aluminum alloys can have higher durability at extremely low temperatures, these metal panels can serve as the surface of spaceship fuel tanks and are also practical for creating storage tanks. Moreover, aluminum plates and sheets can be used in the structural section of ships and railcars manufacturers and for military vehicles.
There are various types of aluminum alloy plates available in the building material and metal markets. Some of these plates are including 3003. 5052, 6061, 7075, Cast mold aluminum plates. The 3003 alloy is the most widely used, and it features excellent workability and corrosion resistance. Most of these alloys react well to finishes such as anodizing and laminating. Aluminum plates are generally non-heat-treatable metal panels. The 6061 alloy is the most versatile substance and is utilized for heat treat grades. This type of aluminum plate features significant weldability and medium strength. Another successful aluminum plate is the ALUMOLD, a unique mold panel that has been substituted for P-20 steel in many molding applications.
Properties of Aluminum Sheet and Plate
Aluminum sheets and plates are arguably among the most widely utilized industrial and engineered materials of the current era. This is due to the advantageous properties they provide for different industries, which are as followed:
- Lightweight (cost-effective solution for building cladding systems and facades)
- Robust and Strong (suitable for various structural and building projects)
- Corrosion Resistant (perfect for outdoor and moisture-exposed applications)
- Formability (easy to be fabricated and installed)
- Fire-resistant (aluminum sheets and plates don’t release toxic gases even when melted)
- Extremely Reflective
- Completely Recyclable
- Long-Lasting and Low Maintenance
- Available in Limitless Sizes and Thicknesses
