Heat Resistant Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum alloys are among the most versatile metal alloys in industrial and consumer uses. Many of the metal products made with aluminum combine the light weight of the metal with strength and durability to become the metal of choice for many applications. This is especially true for specialty alloys that have been made to withstand the rigors of high temperatures and extreme environments. One such alloy is the heat-resistant aluminum alloy. This heat-resistant alloy is a metal combination of aluminum and various other metals, including copper and magnesium, which makes it resistant to high temperatures and other harsh conditions.
Heat-resistant aluminum alloys are a type of super alloy. Super alloys are metal alloys fabricated for applications that require extreme temperatures and corrosion resistance. These super alloys are heated and cooled repeatedly no matter the temperatures and ultimately become incredibly strong and durable. Heat-resistant aluminum alloys are specifically useful in manufacturing capabilities requiring high thermal resistance, such as those found in aircraft bodies, engine components, automotive radiators, and in some industrial processes.
Heat-resistant aluminum alloys are more expensive than other aluminum alloys and are fabricated with specific machines which must maintain tight tolerances and temperatures. The fabrication process often calls for these alloys to be extruded, rolled, or billet-forged. All of these manufacturing processes involve complex machinery with specialized tooling and expertise. The result of these processes is higher-grade aluminum alloy that is strong enough to stand up to extreme temperatures and pressures.
The most common type of heat-resistant aluminum alloy is 4XXX. This alloy is composed of aluminum and silicon, and is often seen in automobile radiators or aircraft bodies. This alloy is perfect for applications that require the combination of durability and low weight, such as aircraft parts or automotive radiators requiring high temperatures. This alloy is also able to resist corrosion at high temperatures and can be coated with a variety of protective materials, allowing it to be used in corrosive or chemically reactive applications.
Other heat-resistant aluminum alloys, such as 2XXX and 6XXX, can withstand higher temperatures than the 4XXX alloy but do not maintain the same level of formability. Specifically, the 6XXX alloy is commonly used in die-casting applications, which require high levels of strength, durability, and resistance to wear. The 2XXX type of aluminum and its alloys are favored in some aerospace and automotive applications due to its fatigue resistance.
As technology and the demands upon alloys has increased, so too has the need for more resilient and heat-resistant aluminum alloys. Manufacturers of consumer products and aerospace parts rely upon these metal products to maintain the strength and durability of their products while still providing the light weight of metal products necessary in the industry. Heat-resistant aluminum alloys are an integral part of this process, allowing for parts and products to be fabricated for use in exceptionally hot, high-pressure and low-corrosion environments.
