FAQs - TC Aluminium - The Name in Aluminium

15.How is Aluminium produced?

The production of aluminium starts from Bauxite, a sedimentary rock with high aluminium content. The processed alumina is then smelted and made into billets which are then extruded or rolled into its final products.

16.Why should we use aluminium?

Some of the many benefits of aluminium are it is:

Lightweight,
Strong yet flexible,
Corrosion Resistance,
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity,
Odourless & Impermeable,
Insular
Fire Safety (non-combustible)
Recyclable

17.What grades of aluminium are there?

There are many aluminium grades, if you would like to find out more, you can visit the page on our site with more information on aluminium grades.

18.What are the uses of aluminium?

Our aluminium are supplied to many industries such as building & construction, marine, precision engineering, electronics. Due to its properties, it is often the choice of material as compared to other metals.

19.What are the different finishing and colours of aluminium?

Our aluminium comes in mainly Mill Finish, Natural Anodised, Bronze Anodised, Black Anodised. Aluminium can be anodised to many other colours depending on the elements it's anodised with.

Aluminium is usually powder coated to the required colours, and due to the advancement in technology, there are millions of colour combinations that you can achieve if a 'customised' colour is required. Stock colour is also available as well and there are more than hundred stock colours to choose from.

20.What is Mill Finish?

Mill Finish refers to the natural finish or texture of metal after it exits a rolling mill/extrusion die. It is often characterised as shiny (non-matte). The texture is rough and lacks lustre but is often available for treatment and post processing (powder coat / anodise). Mill Finish may often have spots of oxidation or it might be contaminated with oil during production from the mill.

21.How is Mill Finish different from Anodised / Natural Anodised?

Mill Finish is the raw finishing that is straight from a Mill and anodising is the process whereby the thickness is increased by a natural oxide layer that is produced by electrolytic passivation (anodising).

22.How is powder coating different from mill finish or anodising?

Powder coating is spraying on dry paint powder and heat treating the surface as compared to anodising which uses the natural oxide to create a layer around the aluminium.

23.What is powder coating?

Powder coating is where a layer of dry powder is sprayed and applied electrostatically to the surface of aluminium (or other suitable metals) .Powder coating is usually preferred over anodising due to cost and environmental factors.

Anodising produces a lot of chemical waste that is tough to treat and dispose, therefore, powder coating is often preferred over anodising. Powder coating contain no volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere, therefore they can comply with

24.How many types of powder coatings are there?

Powder coating can be broken down into 2 main sets, thermosets and thermoplastic.

In most architectural cases, PVDF is often used due to its plasticity, malleability and durability characteristics.

Fluorocarbon coating or PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) coating is known for being high performance with exceptional weathering properties, stability, inertness, resistance to fading, chalking and UV.

In most cases, a blend of PVDF to acrylic (70% to 40%) provides the ideal balance of coating weatherability, hardness, flexibility and clarity.

By heating the powders to about 160-210 degrees Celcius, the paint melts forming a chemical bond which hardens again when cooled.

PVDF coating is a subset of thermoplastic coating. Most architectural systems require a 2-coats or 3-coats depending on your needs and requirement of the structure. In most cases where they need more lustrous and glossy finish or higher UV resistance, a 3-coat is usually applied. It all boils down to cost and requirements of the environment the product will be used in.

Powder coating is a subset of thermosetting. Powder coating is applied to aluminium to give it a protective finishing that increases the of about 10-25 microns. Thermosets are able to withstand higher amounts of heat but they do not allow remoulding of the items, they however also reinforce the structural integrity of the product.

25.Can aluminium be welded?

Many aluminium alloys can be welded. The 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx & 7xxx series aluminium can be welded with fusion welding process such as TIG, MIG, etc.

Proper filler is required and good control will minimise the risk of hot cracking. Solid state welding processes such as friction stir welding have also been used to join aluminium alloys.

26.What fabrication methods are used for aluminium?

Aluminium is often rolled or extruded from an ingot or a billet.
When required, it's usually joined by screws and other forms of fastening.

27.Is aluminium combustible?

Aluminium does not burn and is therefore classed as a non-combustible construction material. Aluminium alloys will nevertheless melt at around 600- 650°C, but without releasing harmful gases.

28.Can aluminium be recycled?

Aluminium can be recycled very easily. The process usually involves re-melting the metal which is less expensive and energy-intensive than creating new aluminium from Bauxite. It takes only about 5% of the energy of the energy used to make new aluminium from the raw ore.

29.Are aluminium applications safe for food?

Treated aluminium poses no health threats that is known to users, but untreated aluminium should not be used with acidic foods.

30.Can aluminium be laser cut?

Yes, aluminium is often laser cut for precision that grinding and cutting cannot provide.