Uses of Aluminum Flat Bars

What are the uses of aluminum flat bars?

1. Medical Assembly
2. Aircraft Construction
3. Structural Components
4. Commercial Transportation
5. Electrical Components
6. Consumer Goods

Aluminum is one metal material that has had a great impact on many industries. Its resistance, adaptability, and versatility make it useful for numerous applications and make it more cost-effective than other materials. Aluminum flat bars in particular have many applications in several industries. Additionally, since aluminum flat bars are extruded or rolled, they can be shaped for use for several technologies and products. In this post, we go into some of the uses of aluminum flat bars and show how they are widely used in a variety of fields.

Medical Assembly

Aluminum flat bars are used to make a wide range of medical equipment, from enclosures to components on surgical devices. The aluminum’s pliable nature makes it easy to shape flat bars into handles, grips, and casing for medical tools.

You can also see aluminum flat bars in general hospital furniture and structures. These make the parts for hospital beds, bedpans, gurneys, trays, carts, and more. They can even be found in railings and hand bars used for the safety of patients and hospital staff alike.

Aluminum flat bars can even be found in sophisticated medical gear, such as heart monitors and imaging equipment. Aluminum materials are valued in these applications as they are non-magnetic and therefore do not interfere with the device’s readings. Aluminum flat bars have also been used in ventilator production, which has been indispensable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aircraft Construction

Aluminum flat bars are often used in aircraft construction, making up most of the frames and structures for airplanes and other aerospace technology. The reason why aluminum flat bars are used to make airplane frames is that they are heat and wind-resistant, which makes them strong enough to withstand extreme temperature changes and high winds at high altitudes.

Additionally, most aluminum alloys are also heat treatable, which means that the alloy can increase its tensile strength significantly with certain heat treatments. Lastly, aluminum is non-magnetic, which means that it can be used near onboard electronics without interfering with the sensitive electronics and radio signals.

Structural Components

Aluminum flat bars have a very flat and rectangular surface, which makes them suitable for a variety of architectural and structural uses. They are a very versatile building tool, and can easily be cut, welded, drilled, and reshaped into different forms. They are often used in frameworks and building support materials. They can be found in braces, ladders, hangers, gates, ducts and vents, heaters, and more.

This metal isn’t only used in the building stages and can be used post-construction to enhance or reinforce an existing structure. Aluminum flat bars can be easily formed to fit against the existing material or used to replace worn-down or damaged pieces.

Aluminum flat bars are also a popular material for industrial artists, architects, and craftsmen for designing spaces. They are most commonly found in metal statues, but can be used in smaller pieces. Aluminum flat bars are favored for this application because of their malleability, as well as their sturdiness once forged or treated.

Commercial Transportation

Today, aluminum is a major component for commercial transportation, such as freight cars, passenger cars, shipping containers, and more. Commercial transportation values materials that are light as they reduce fuel usage and maximize capacity. Aluminum flat bars make it possible to significantly reduce the weight of trains. Additionally, vehicles must have aerodynamic shapes to reduce drag. This means the materials used need to have minimal protruding parts, which is easy to achieve with aluminum flat bars.

Aluminum flat bars are commonly used in the frames of both freight and passenger cars, and using this material makes it about a third lighter than using steel frames. This helps trains recoup costs as they can carry more cargo and passengers, and transport them at a more efficient pace. Frames made from aluminum flat bars also have longer service lives on average, with most train cars only losing 10% of their value even after forty years of operation. The lightweight aluminum also makes it a valuable material for shipment containers, helping to maximize each shipment.

Electrical Components

Aluminum alloys and flat bars are also widely used in making electronic components. Capacitors, radar dishes, and antennae are some examples of how aluminum flat bars are used. Some countries also include aluminum in pylon and power line applications, using struts, bracing, and enclosures made from aluminum flat bars. It is also used in the production of electrical transformers and low-voltage motors for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.

Consumer Goods

Aluminum is also widely used in the manufacturing of consumer goods. Aluminum flat bars are used in the bodies of TVs, monitors, and other electronics due to their practicality and shiny appearance. Aluminum is also the market leader when it comes to outdoor furniture and kitchen appliances. Flat bars are used to make garden chairs and tables, kitchen cabinets, and cookware. Its polished look and easily cleaned surfaces make it the best choice for these applications.

Flat bars are also used for designing modern interiors. Aluminum pieces in conjunction with glass and marble can make interior spaces feel spacious and high-tech. Additionally, aluminum components are significantly more lightweight and durable than other materials, which is a plus for many homeowners. Some examples of aluminum flat bars in homes are window and door frames, which are becoming increasingly popular.

Key Takeaway

With aluminum flat bars being so versatile, they can fit almost every application in mind. However, finding the right aluminum alloys and flat bars to use for your applications can be challenging. Contact AMC Aluminum to receive our expert consultation, and to receive our high-quality aluminum products and profiles — fit for any job!