Super-hard aluminum alloys
Aluminum alloys are some of the most widely used metals across multiple industries due to their unique combination of physical and chemical properties. They are prized for their reduced weight and excellent corrosion resistance, making them the perfect choice for structural applications like in the aerospace, automotive, and building industries. Now, a new type of aluminum alloy is coming to the forefront – super-hard aluminum alloy.
Super-hard aluminum alloys are made by intentionally incorporating a specific alloying element or elements into the metal, allowing them to be much harder than regular aluminum alloys. While any aluminum alloy made with greater than 0.5% magnesium and lithium can reach hard levels of tempering, none quite compare to super-hard aluminum alloy. These alloys offer much greater hardness, with much better wear and corrosion resistant properties, making them ideal for many applications where regular aluminum alloys are simply not hard enough.
The usage of super-hard aluminum alloys can be found across several of the industries mentioned above. In the aerospace industry, they can be applied to the airframe and landing gear components, enhancing the strength and durability. In the automotive industry, they are used for car body and engine parts, helping protect them from wear and tear. Super-hard aluminum alloy can also be found in building applications, such as in vehicle frames and bridges.
The strength of super-hard aluminum alloy is further increased when it is heat treated. Heat treatment can increase the hardness and wear resistance of the alloy, as well as improve its strength and ductility. In this process, the alloy is heated at high temperatures and held for an extended period of time, during which various properties of the metal will “set” and become solidified.
Super-hard aluminum alloy is becoming increasingly popular due to its combination of strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. This makes it a great choice for many applications where regular aluminum alloys may not hold up. Furthermore, they can be easily machined, welded, and heat treated, allowing them to be easily customized to meet any specific requirements. Despite its advantages, however, they tend to be slightly more expensive than traditional aluminum alloy.
Overall, super-hard aluminum alloys are an excellent choice for many application where regular alloys are insufficient. They provide incredible strength and wear resistance, not to mention excellent corrosion resistance. Furthermore, they can be easily heat treated and machined to meet any custom application needs. Finally, it is important to note that this alloy is slightly more expensive than regular aluminum alloys, but the extra cost is well worth the added strength and protective properties.
