Aluminum coil: a multifaceted “star material” on the industrial stage

In the bright starry sky of modern industrial materials, aluminum coil is like a shining star. With its series of excellent characteristics, it plays an important role in many fields. Aluminum coil is a metal product for flying shearing after rolling and bending by the casting and rolling mill. Its production process integrates advanced technology and technology, from the careful selection of aluminum ingots to high-temperature melting in the furnace, adding specific alloy elements to accurately control the performance, and then tempering through multiple processes such as rolling and casting coils, cold rolling coils, and finally annealing to eliminate internal stress and straighten the flatness of the plate. Every step embodies industrial wisdom. According to the difference in the metal elements contained, aluminum coils can be finely divided into 9 series, covering 1000 series pure aluminum coils to 9000 series (currently a spare series). Each series of aluminum coils has distinct characteristics and is widely used in many key fields such as electronics, packaging, construction, machinery, etc., injecting strong impetus into the development of various industries.
1. Multiple classifications with different characteristics
1000 series: the rustic charm of pure aluminum
1000 series aluminum coils are unique for their ultra-high pure aluminum content (purity ≥ 99.0%). Like common grades such as 1050 and 1060, they can be called the "pure school" in the aluminum coil family. Because they do not contain other complex technical elements, the production process is relatively simple, which makes them affordable and a "frequent visitor" in the conventional industrial field. It has a low density of only about 2.7g/cm³ and is lightweight, showing its advantages in scenes where strength requirements are not stringent. In the field of construction, it is often used in billboard production, and its surface can be easily printed, painted, etc., to vividly present various advertising information; in terms of wall decoration, it can add a different style to the building with a variety of colors and shapes; in the roof insulation layer, the lightweight 1000 series aluminum coils are easy to install and can effectively reflect heat to improve the building's thermal insulation performance. In chemical equipment, as non-load-bearing parts such as storage tanks and pipelines, it has good corrosion resistance and can be stably used in some chemical media environments with low corrosiveness. In the field of household appliances, it is used for parts such as kitchenware and lamp housings that do not require high strength, which not only meets the use needs but also takes into account cost-effectiveness.
3000 series: rust-proof expert, practical choice
3000 series aluminum coils, represented by 3003, 3004, 3A21, etc., belong to aluminum-manganese alloys and are the "rust-proof" in the aluminum coil family. The addition of manganese elements (content of 1.0-1.5%) greatly improves its rust-proof performance compared to pure aluminum coils, and performs well in humid environments. In home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators, it is often used to manufacture parts such as housings and liner. The air conditioner outdoor unit is exposed to wind, rain, sun and rain all year round. The shell of 3000 series aluminum coil can effectively resist erosion from humid air, acid rain and other factors, ensuring the safety of internal precision parts; the use of this series of aluminum coils in the refrigerator liner can avoid rust caused by water vapor generated by food storage, ensuring food safety and the service life of the refrigerator. The bottom of the car is exposed to mud, water, salt and other splashes on the road for a long time. The protective parts made of 3000 series aluminum coils provide a "rust-proof umbrella" for the car chassis. In the field of architectural decoration, it is widely used in curtain walls, ceilings, door and window frames, etc. The curtain wall needs to be exposed to the outside for a long time. After surface treatment, the 3000 series aluminum coils can not only resist erosion from the natural environment, but also present a beautiful metal texture, improving the overall appearance of the building; the ceiling uses this series of aluminum coils, which have the advantages of rust prevention, light weight, and easy installation, creating a simple and generous indoor space; the door and window frames use it to ensure that the doors and windows will not deform or rust under long-term opening and closing, wind and sun, and open and close smoothly with good sealing.
5000 Series: Harmonious Sonata of Lightness and Strength
The 5000 series aluminum coils, with typical representatives such as 5052, 5005, 5083, and 5A05, are mainly alloyed with magnesium (containing 3-5%), also known as aluminum-magnesium alloys, which have found an excellent balance between density, strength, and ductility. It has a low density and weighs less than many other series of aluminum coils in the same area, but has higher tensile strength and elongation. In the aviation field, aircraft fuel tanks are made of 5000 series aluminum coils. The lightweight characteristics can reduce the weight of the aircraft itself, reduce fuel consumption, and improve flight efficiency; at the same time, its good strength and ductility can withstand pressure changes and mechanical vibrations during flight, ensuring the safety and reliability of the fuel tank. In shipbuilding, it is used for structural parts such as ship decks and hulls, which can not only reduce the weight of the ship and increase the sailing speed, but also resist seawater erosion for a long time with its excellent seawater corrosion resistance (magnesium enhances the corrosion resistance of the alloy in seawater), extending the service life of the ship. In the automotive industry, as the trend of lightweighting of automobiles becomes increasingly prominent, 5000 series aluminum coils are increasingly used in body panels, doors, trunk lids and other parts. On the premise of ensuring the strength and safety of the vehicle body, they can effectively reduce the weight of the vehicle, improve fuel economy or extend the range of electric vehicles.
2000 series and 7000 series: the "hard core" power of aerospace
2000 series aluminum coils are represented by 2A16 (LY16), 2A06 (LY6), etc., and 7000 series are represented by 7075. Both are outstanding in aviation aluminum materials and shoulder important tasks in the aerospace field. The 2000 series aluminum coils have a high copper content (about 3-5%), and the hardness is significantly improved after heat treatment, and they have good heat resistance. In the manufacture of high-temperature and high-load components such as aircraft engine pistons, 2000 series aluminum coils can maintain stable mechanical properties under high temperature environments, withstand the huge pressure and friction generated by the high-speed reciprocating motion of the piston, and ensure the efficient operation of the engine. 7075 aluminum coil belongs to aluminum-magnesium-zinc-copper alloy, which is a heat-treatable alloy with super-hard aluminum alloy characteristics and good wear resistance. It has high thermal conductivity and can quickly dissipate heat during molding, shorten molding time, and improve production efficiency. Aircraft structural parts, such as wing beams, fuselage frames and other key parts, are made of 7075 aluminum coils. With its high hardness and high strength, it can withstand the complex aerodynamic loads and mechanical stresses during the flight of the aircraft. At the same time, it will not deform or warp after processing (after stress relief treatment). All super-large and super-thick 7075 aluminum plates are ultrasonically detected to ensure that there are no sand holes and impurities, laying a solid foundation for aircraft flight safety. Although my country's production technology of these two series of aluminum coils is still behind the advanced level of foreign countries, with the vigorous development of the domestic aerospace industry, related technologies are constantly breaking through, and it is expected to achieve greater leaps in the future.
4000 series: heat-resistant and wear-resistant for practical use
The 4000 series aluminum coils are represented by 4A01 and other types, which are high in silicon content, usually between 4.5 and 6.0%. They are heat-resistant and wear-resistant, and are a practical choice for building materials, mechanical parts, forging materials, welding materials, and other fields. In terms of construction, some places that require heat resistance, such as the roof of high-temperature workshops in industrial plants and chimney linings, can rely on their heat resistance to maintain structural stability in high-temperature environments without deformation, softening, and other problems. In mechanical manufacturing, the wear-resistant characteristics of the 4000 series aluminum coils can effectively reduce the wear rate of parts, extend the service life of parts, and reduce equipment maintenance costs when making mechanical parts that are subject to friction and wear, such as piston rings and cylinder liners in engines. In the forging field, due to its good hot working properties, it is easy to forge various complex-shaped parts. In terms of welding materials, this series of aluminum coils can be well welded with a variety of metal materials to form a strong welding joint, ensuring the strength and reliability of the welded structure.
6000 series: a versatile all-rounder with balanced performance
The 6000 series aluminum coils are typified by 6061, which mainly contain two elements, magnesium and silicon. They cleverly combine the advantages of the 4000 series and the 5000 series, and are a cold-treated aluminum forging product. It has excellent interface characteristics. When parts are connected, the welding, riveting and other interfaces are firm and reliable; it is easy to coat, and can form a beautiful and corrosion-resistant coating on the surface through surface treatment processes such as anodizing and electrophoretic coating, meeting the decoration and protection needs of different scenes; it has high strength and can withstand certain external forces; it has good usability and strong corrosion resistance. In the manufacture of aircraft parts, such as some small structural parts and connectors of aircraft, 6061 aluminum coils can not only ensure the strength and reliability of parts, but also because of its good processing performance, it is easy to process into various complex shapes to meet the requirements of aircraft precision manufacturing. In the fields of camera parts, couplers, ship accessories and hardware, electronic accessories and joints, decorative or various hardware, hinge heads, magnetic heads, brake pistons, hydraulic pistons, electrical accessories, valves and valve parts, 6061 aluminum coils are widely used due to their balanced performance, providing strong support for the improvement of product quality and performance in various industries.
8000 series: "niche pioneers" in specific fields
8011, which is more commonly used in the 8000 series aluminum coils, has a relatively narrow application range in the large family of aluminum coils, but plays a key role in specific fields. It often appears in the form of aluminum foil, mainly used in bottle cap manufacturing and radiators. In bottle cap manufacturing, the aluminum foil made of 8011 aluminum coils has good flexibility and ductility, can fit tightly to the bottle cap mold, and form a bottle cap with excellent sealing performance, effectively preventing the liquid in the bottle from volatilizing and deteriorating, and ensuring product quality. In the field of radiators, 8011 aluminum foil can quickly conduct heat away and improve heat dissipation efficiency with its good thermal conductivity. It is widely used in electronic equipment radiators, such as computer CPU radiators, mobile phone heat sinks, etc., to help electronic equipment dissipate heat in time, maintain a stable operating temperature, and improve equipment performance and service life.
2. Excellent performance, casting a wide range of applications
Lightweight advantages: leading the trend of "burden reduction" in various industries
The low density characteristics of aluminum coils make it one of the preferred materials for lightweighting in various industries. In the field of transportation, whether it is a car, train or airplane, reducing its own weight is of great significance to improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. In the automotive industry, the use of aluminum coils to manufacture body parts, such as body frames, doors, engine hoods, etc., can greatly reduce the weight of the entire vehicle. According to research, for every 100kg increase in the amount of aluminum used in a single vehicle, the fuel economy of fuel vehicles can be increased by 8% - 10%, and the cruising range of electric vehicles can be increased by 8% - 10%. This not only conforms to the current environmental protection trend of energy conservation and emission reduction, but also improves the handling and acceleration performance of the vehicle. In aircraft manufacturing, a large number of parts made of aluminum coils, such as fuselage skins and wing structures, are used. Under the premise of ensuring the structural strength and safety of the aircraft, the weight of the aircraft is significantly reduced, the fuel consumption of the flight is reduced, and the transportation efficiency is improved, which injects strong impetus into the sustainable development of the aviation industry. In terms of rail transportation, train carriages are made of aluminum coils, which can reduce the energy consumption of trains during operation and improve the economic benefits of railway transportation.
Corrosion resistance: resist erosion and protect for a long time
In the natural environment, the surface of aluminum coils can quickly form a dense aluminum oxide film. This film is like a solid armor, which effectively isolates the aluminum coils from the external corrosive medium and gives the aluminum coils excellent corrosion resistance. In the field of construction, aluminum coils are used for exterior wall decoration, roof covering, etc. Whether facing the humid and rainy southern climate, erosion in acid rain-prone areas, or long-term "attacks" by high-salt air in coastal areas, they can always maintain a good state and effectively extend the service life of the building. For example, in buildings near the sea, using aluminum coils as roofing materials can greatly reduce the frequency of repairs and replacements caused by corrosion compared to traditional steel roofs, and reduce building maintenance costs. In the chemical industry, some chemical medium storage and transportation equipment that is not highly corrosive is made of aluminum coils, which can reduce the anti-corrosion process and cost while ensuring the safe operation of the equipment. In the field of food and drug packaging, aluminum coils, with their good corrosion resistance, ensure that the packaging will not be damaged by external environmental erosion during storage and transportation, and escort the quality and safety of food and drugs.
Electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity: a powerful assistant in the field of electronics and heat dissipation
Aluminum coils have good electrical and thermal conductivity, with a conductivity greater than 60% IACS and a thermal conductivity of 205W/(m・K). In the electronics industry, this feature enables it to play a key role in many aspects. In circuit board manufacturing, aluminum coils can be used as the substrate of circuit boards. Good conductivity ensures the fast and stable transmission of electronic signals and improves the working efficiency of circuit boards. For the heat sink of electronic equipment, aluminum coils are indispensable. As electronic products develop towards miniaturization and high performance, the problem of heat dissipation becomes more and more prominent. The heat sink made of aluminum coil can quickly absorb the heat generated by electronic components and quickly conduct the heat away, dissipating it to the surrounding environment through air convection or other heat dissipation methods, effectively reducing the operating temperature of electronic equipment, ensuring the stable operation of electronic equipment, and extending the service life of the equipment. For example, computer CPU radiators, graphics card radiators, etc. are mostly made of aluminum coils, providing reliable heat dissipation guarantee for high-performance computer operation. In the field of power transmission, aluminum coils can also be used to manufacture some low-voltage transmission lines. With its good conductivity and relatively low cost, it can meet the power transmission needs to a certain extent.
Good processing performance: shaping infinite possibilities
Aluminum coils have excellent processing performance and can adapt to a variety of processing technologies, providing great convenience for product manufacturing in various industries. Through the rolling process, aluminum coils of different thicknesses and widths can be produced according to demand to meet the diverse specifications of industries such as construction, packaging, and electronics. Under the stamping process, aluminum coils can be easily stamped into various complex shapes of parts, such as automobile body covers, home appliance shells, etc., and it is not easy to crack or deform during the stamping process, ensuring product quality and production efficiency. The stretching process can stretch aluminum coils into various tubular and cup-shaped products. In the packaging industry, it is used to manufacture cans, aluminum tubes and other products; in the field of mechanical manufacturing, it can manufacture some special-shaped mechanical parts. In addition, aluminum coils also have good welding performance and can be welded with a variety of metal materials to form a solid connection structure. In industries such as building steel structures and automobile manufacturing, a stable structural system is built by welding aluminum coil parts.
3. Process innovation promotes industry upgrading
Surface treatment process innovation
The surface treatment process of aluminum coils is constantly innovating, injecting new vitality into its performance improvement and application expansion. The traditional anodizing process is constantly optimized. By improving the electrolyte formula, controlling the oxidation time and current density and other parameters, a more uniform, dense and thickness-controlled oxide film can be formed on the surface of the aluminum coil. The thickness of common anodized film is generally 5μm - 20μm, and the hardness can reach HV 300 - 500, which can effectively improve the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of aluminum coils. It is widely used in the field of architectural decoration, such as the surface treatment of door and window profiles. The aluminum coil doors and windows after anodizing treatment are not only beautiful, but also can maintain color and performance for a long time. The hard anodizing process developed on this basis is treated in a low temperature (-5℃ - 5℃) oxalic acid solution, which can make the oxide film thickness reach 50μm - 150μm and the hardness increase to HV 500 - 800. It is suitable for occasions with extremely high requirements for hardness and wear resistance, such as the surface treatment of automobile engine piston rings, aviation bearing seats and other parts, which greatly improves the service life and reliability of parts.