10 reasons why aluminium should be your next material of choice

Material manufacturers should continuously strive for transparency regarding the carbon footprint of their products and how it is measured. At Hydro we believe this is a key step towards reaching sustainability goals.

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Transparency also encourages us to inform about conceivably lesser-known truths, for instance, that a kilogram of aluminium can be produced with lower CO2 emissions than a kilogram of eggs or a pair of jeans. We are not telling you to stop eating eggs or to stop wearing your favorite jeans. Rather, we want to put carbon footprint of aluminium into a different perspective to show that it matters where and how aluminium is produced.

Comparison of kilo CO2 equivalents required to produce different products

Sources: Hydro EPD's and internal analyses; Global average: IAI 2018; OWID; VOX; Expert(s) (Poore & Nemeck, 2018); LCA Analysis published by major apparel manufacturer

Of course, this is not a fair comparison since a kilogram of aluminium is not a product that can be used as such, meaning that there will be some additional carbon emissions in manufacturing and transport of the aluminium into a final product. However, our intension is to highlight the possibility of dramatically reducing the carbon impact of products by choosing materials wisely, and low carbon aluminium can be part of the solution. Furthermore, there is no question that sustainability should be top-of-mind for material users and producers, but it is also important that the material you choose have other benefits that meets your materialistic expectations.

Discover 10 essential facts about aluminium

 

Number 1: Aluminium is everywhere

Its superior properties in strength, light weight and applicability make aluminium an excellent material for hundreds of everyday products. As the third-most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen and silicon, aluminium is a resource that will last for generations with today's consumption, and which can be found in everything around us. The cars we drive, the technology we use, the buildings in our cities, only to mention a few. 

 

Number 2: Aluminium is one of the lightest metals

The light weight of aluminium makes it easy-to-handle, which is a benefit to those working in factories and building sites. Because of the material's light weight, energy consumption during transportation and use of the product is drastically reduced making the material not just a versatile choice, but an economically viable one. The HYDRO chair by Tom Dixon and Hydro is a great example of how the material’s lightness can be utilized while still offering robust, esthetic, and sustainable qualities.

Number 3: Aluminium can be easily formed into other shapes

Its ability to be shaped, bent and punched provide endless opportunities for architects, designers, and engineers to create exactly what they envision. Aluminium is alloyed to enhance the metal’s properties for specific engineering structures and components where light weight or corrosion resistance is important. The stylish and practical bench made by Green Furniture Concept, using recycled aluminium from Hydro demonstrates the material’s malleability perfectly.

Number 4: Aluminium is stronger than you would think

Surely, a material that is light and malleable cannot be strong, right? Actually, aluminium can be almost, if not just as strong as steel, depending on the alloy, processing technique and product design. Because aluminium is approximately one-third the weight of steel, components may be made thicker and stronger while still reducing weight compared to other materials. Hydro offers aluminium solutions that can cope with aggressive environments and heavy structural loads. While most metals weaken at lower temperatures, aluminium becomes stronger. 

Number 5: Aluminium has high conductivity

Its ability to function as an excellent conductor of heat and electricity opens a world of opportunities for aluminium in several industries, such as the electric vehicle industry, as well as on and offshore. aluminium is ideal for high-voltage applications since it does not have the ability to collect a magnetic charge. It is also ideal for producing computer bits and components that require the usage of magnetic fields. Furthermore, lightweight and cost-efficient battery cables made with aluminium are great examples of how well the material works as a conductor.

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Number 6: Aluminium has high corrosion resistance

Extremely durable in neutral and slightly acidic environments, aluminium copes well when exposed to many aggressive chemicals and performs much better than other metals when exposed to formic acid or ammonia (as a refrigerant). For instance, The Ocean Cleanup uses aluminium profiles from Hydro in their Interceptor, and due to the excellent corrosion resistance of aluminium, it proved to be the perfect material for an Interceptor operating in rivers around the world. 

 

Number 7: Aluminium can have different appearances

The majority associate aluminium with the simplistic, silvery appearance, and might not be aware that the material can be treated to have considerably different looks. Surface treatment includes a variety of techniques than can regulate and enhance the finish of aluminium, providing several benefits for those who want to use aluminium in their projects but want to modify the looks. For instance, painting gives the user an unlimited selection of colors, whereas anodizing creates a dirt-repellent surface and improves corrosion resistance.

Number 8: Aluminium offers excellent energy absorption

As mentioned, aluminium is one-third as dense as steel, which means you can have three times the thickness before you have the same weight as steel. Consequently, aluminium is an excellent material for crash management system design in cars and can offer high levels of energy absorption in, for instance, an accident. Aluminium’s ability to absorb energy is also ideal for other safety purposes, such as fire and blast resistance, bullet-proofing and burglary-resistant systems.

 

Number 9: Aluminium is infinitely recyclable without loss of quality

Recycling aluminium saves approximately 100 million tonnes of CO2e each year, as it only requires 5% of the energy required to manufacture aluminium from raw materials. Aluminium is the perfect material for the circular economy due to its high durability and limitless application possibilities. To better understand the rapidity of recycling, take aluminium cans in Europe as an example, where 70% of all aluminium cans are recycled, and the used cans become new cans in less than 60 days. Understanding the importance of recycling, Hydro offers a brand of recycled aluminium made with a minimum of 75% recycled, post-consumer aluminium scrap. Hydro CIRCAL builds on the foundation that aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and by drastically reducing energy use in the production phase, Hydro proactively contributes to reducing climate change.

Number 10: Aluminium can be produced with a low CO2 footprint

The production of aluminium is energy intensive, but if the energy stems from renewable sources, the picture changes. Depending on the energy source, aluminium’s footprint can vary tenfold. By using renewable energy from wind, solar, and water, Hydro produces Hydro REDUXA low-carbon aluminium with a carbon footprint less than a quarter of the global average – less than 4 kg CO2 per kilo aluminium. More than 70% of Hydro's aluminium production is based on renewable energy sources. 
 

How you can benefit from this

The world we live in today moves rapidly in terms of development and inventions, consistently increasing the need for new materials to be able to produce and sustain for the current and future society. Presented above are some of aluminium’s advantages and superior qualities as a material. The materialistic qualities of aluminium should put aluminium high on customers’ watch-list, but we as many others have seen the need to offer more sustainable alternatives.

Therefore, Hydro offers low carbon aluminium through the brands Hydro CIRCAL and Hydro REDUXA. Not only do we offer low carbon aluminium, but through our tailor-made design service, Hydro EcoDesign, you can receive support in developing greener solutions that are ready for the circular economy.

Are you interested in learning more about china painted aluminum coil for gutters factory? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

View the 10 essential facts in reality

Contact us to discuss how you can use aluminium

The aluminum coil is a metal product that is subjected to flying shear after being rolled by a casting and rolling machine and processed by drawing and bending angles. Aluminum coils can be widely used in electronics, packaging, construction, machinery, transportation, heat transfer, insulation materials, etc. The following will introduce 9 different aluminum coils and their uses.

Color-Coated Aluminum Coil For Different Applications

After the aluminum coil is cleaned, chromized, roller coated, baked, etc., the surface of the aluminum coil is coated with various colors of paint, that is, a color-coated aluminum coil.

Colored aluminum is widely used in aluminum-plastic panels, honeycomb panels, insulation panels, aluminum curtain walls, shutters, roller shutters, aluminum-magnesium-manganese roofing systems, aluminum Ceilings, household appliances, down pipes, aluminum cans, and many other fields.

Coated aluminum coils can be simply divided into polyester (PE) coated aluminum coils and fluorocarbon (PVDF) coated aluminum coils due to different types of surface paint. Of course, there are also situations where one side is coated with fluorocarbon and the other side is coated with polyester; there are even cases where both sides are coated with fluorocarbon.

Aluminum coils are embossed, also known as embossed aluminum coils, with various patterns such as orange peel and diamond.

Because of different uses, it is also commonly called roofing material (aluminum-magnesium-manganese roofing system), ceiling material (for aluminum alloy ceiling), home appliance board (used for interior and exterior decoration of household appliances), food material (food-grade chromium and roller coating), brushed board (the surface has been brushed), etc.

Aluminum Magnesium Manganese Alloy Aluminum Coil

Aluminum-magnesium-manganese alloy aluminum coil, processed by fluorocarbon roller coating, is widely used in many landmark buildings such as aircraft terminals and railway stations all over the country. Because of its excellent quality, it is widely praised in the industry.

• Typical alloy states are: 3004H24, 3004H26, 3003H24;
• Typical thickness range: 0.6mm, 0.7mm, 0.8mm, 0.9mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm;
• Width: 500mm, 600mm width can be cut according to customer requirements;
• Color: common sea blue, silver gray, large wall gray, and other colors.

Aluminum Coil For Aluminum Ceiling

Aluminum alloy ceilings (aluminum ceilings) are widely used in airports, station waiting halls, subway stations, commercial buildings, shopping malls, hotels, and other entertainment venues and home decoration. It is a more modern and ideal interior decoration material.

The surface of the aluminum alloy ceiling is treated with polyester roller coating, with rich colors, light texture, environmental protection, no pollution; fireproof, moisture-proof performance, no discoloration, easy to clean, and other characteristics. The product can be molded at one time and has many board shapes, smooth lines, easy assembly and disassembly, easy maintenance, and a good appearance.

• Commonly used alloy states are: 1060H18, 1060H24, 3003H24, 3003H26, 3004H24, 3004H26
• Common thickness: 0.6mm, 0.7mm, 0.8mm, 0.9mm, 1.0mm
• Common width: any width between 200mm-1300mm

Aluminum Coil For Composite Sheet

Aluminum-plastic composite panel, referred to as aluminum-plastic panel, is a new type of material made of a surface-treated aluminum plate with a coating and baking paint as the surface, a polyethylene plastic plate as the core layer, and processed through a series of processes.

The aluminum corrugated composite panel is a kind of all-aluminum composite panel formed by vacuum compounding aluminum alloy panel, base plate, and aluminum corrugated core.

The inner and outer layers of aluminum alloy honeycomb panels are aluminum alloy sheets, and the middle interlayer is a regular hexagonal aluminum foil honeycomb core. The honeycomb core is bonded and compounded with structural adhesive and an aluminum alloy surface plate.

The surface layer of the metal exterior wall insulation board is a color-coated aluminum plate. The aluminum plate can choose the finish and color according to the design requirements. It mainly plays a decorative role. It also has good weather resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-cleaning properties; Foam, with excellent thermal insulation properties.

Aluminum Coil For Rolling Shutter Door

Aluminum shutter doors are very versatile, sturdy and durable, beautiful in appearance, high in strength, high in toughness, corrosion-resistant, impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, and more effective in safety protection.

• Commonly used aluminum alloy grades: A3105H26, A3003H18; A3005H26, etc.
• Conventional thickness: 0.22mm, 0.23mm, 0.25mm, 0.26mm, 0.27mm, 0.4mm, 0.45mm, etc.;
• Conventional width: 127mm, 133mm, 138mm, 187mm, etc.

Aluminum Coils For Shutters

Aluminum alloy blinds series, the aluminum alloy curtains have a variety of styles and colors, and the width of the blades are 16mm, 25mm, and 50mm; there are also monochrome, mesh, thickened, and color sheets to choose from. The blinds have the advantages of a simple structure, good rainproof and windproof performance, lightweight, and convenient installation. The high-quality aluminum alloy blades and color-matching accessories are easy to match with various styles of interior decoration designs so that the blinds can be properly integrated into the indoor space. Among them, whether it is a residence, office building, public place, etc., it can be combined with the architectural style naturally and harmoniously.

Aluminum Coil For Aluminum Curtain Wall

Aluminum curtain wall panels are a new type of material for curtain walls. The main features are lightweight, fireproof, waterproof, mothproof, mildewproof, and crackproof. The construction is convenient and simple, and it is suitable for various indoor and outdoor decorative materials.

Aluminum Coil For Home Appliance Board

The high-end home appliance aluminum plate has the advantages of both organic polymers and sheet substrates. It not only has good colorability, formability, corrosion resistance, and decoration of organic polymers but also has high strength and easy processing of thin plates. It is easy to carry out deep processing such as blanking, bending, deep drawing, etc., so the products made of this material have excellent practicability and durability. At present, the new material is mainly produced by roller coating and film sticking process.

Aluminum Coil For Gutter Downspout

For the manufacture of aluminum alloy gutters and aluminum alloy downspouts, 3105H24 and 3003H24 aluminum alloys are used, both sides of the aluminum coil are coated with polyester paint, the thickness of the front film is 25-28 um, and the film thickness of the back is 15-18 um. The color is durable.

Due to their good mechanical properties, aluminum coils are easy to bend, weld, and rail-pressed during processing, making them ideal raw materials for manufacturers of aluminum alloy gutters and downspouts at home and abroad.

The company is the world’s best custom polyester painted aluminium coil company supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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