Aluminum plates are uniquely versatile and durable materials that can satisfy numerous applications in the modern era. Their chemical and physical specifications make them among the most popular industrial materials. Many builders prefer to purchase these suitable materials for their renovation or construction projects. However, before buying them, we recommend you to read this article to have a better vision of aluminum plates and their advantages to utilizing them most efficiently.

What are Aluminum Plates?

Aluminum plates are products that are made from pressing and rolling pure aluminum under severe pressure. Typically, these products are lightweight materials while being strong enough to be suitable for a wide array of applications. The ease of installation and maintenance process of these products boost their versatility and durability. Thus, this is the reason why these industrial materials are among the most popular metal sheets. Manufacturers apply various coatings to these materials to increase the strength and durability of aluminum plates and make them appropriate for different conditions.

Aluminum plates come with a variety of surface finishes. Some of these products feature smooth and uniform surfaces, while others are rugged or rough. The choice for adding textures to these panels depends on the demanding applications and the construction area. Additionally, these materials come in various sizes. Architects and designers can choose the size that will fit their design and desires. Fortunately, manufacturers provide customizable designs and sizes for their aluminum plates, and the price entirely depends on the products’ dimension.

Essential Properties of Aluminum Plates

Now it is time to introduce aluminum plates’ main characteristics and properties that can benefit builders and industrial companies fortifying their creations and products. The followings are the primary characteristics of these products to know before purchasing them:

Lightweight Characteristics

Aluminum plates are among the lightest metal products in the market, and they almost have 1/3 a weight of steel plates. These characteristics provide ease of installation resulting in decreasing the labor cost.

Strength

Regardless of aluminum plates lightweight characteristics, they are considerably strong materials. Their strength allows industrial companies to benefit from these materials in different projects. This specific characteristic of aluminum sheets makes them cost-effective and durable materials for buildings that require a long lifetime.

Corrosion Resistance

It is a common question that if the aluminum corrodes or not. These materials are among the metal sheets that have high corrosion resistance property. They will rust only when exposed to extremely harsh conditions. However, they can naturally generate an oxide layer which can increase this particular characteristic.

Formability

Aluminum plate systems have a relatively lower melting point compared to other industrial metals. Thus, manufacturers can quickly form them into any demanding shape by subjecting them to a certain heat level. Their physical properties also allow industrial companies to fabricate them without putting in so much effort.

Functionality for Sensitive Applications

One of the advantages of aluminum materials is that they are suitable for sensitive applications such as food and chemical packaging. This is due to their low chemical reactivity, which makes them difficult to react with other materials.

Fireproof Characteristics

Nowadays, they are strict regulations and standards for safety purposes, including fireproof and non-combustibility of cladding materials for construction projects. Aluminum plates do not burn when exposed to fire flames, and the event can only affect a thin layer of the material. Another significant thing to remark is that these panels do not release toxic gases when a fire occurs.

Reflective Property

Another beneficial characteristic of aluminum plates is their light reflectivity, followed by avoiding heat infiltration and perfect lighting systems. Additionally, this can help the facility maintain its interior temperature during both hot and cold season, saving more energy and decreasing overall expenditure.

Recyclability

Modern industries are focusing on utilizing materials that are environmentally friendly and recyclable for different applications. Aluminum plates most popular advantage is their ability to be recycled which makes them eco-friendly materials. Thus, most products, such as aluminum composite materials, are already made from recycled aluminum materials.

Gauge and Thickness Variety

The flexibility of aluminum plates allows manufacturers to produce their products in various dimensions. Thus, customers can choose the thickness of their products equivalent to the active project. The thickness of these materials is also called gauge among industry experts. The gauge of aluminum plates does not have defined metrics or standards. Thus, it is essential to have a conversion sheet to determine the perfect thickness of the metal when using these materials, which can be measured in terms of inches or millimeters.

Types of Aluminum Plates

It is essential to know that aluminum plate products are not all the same, and they come in various forms. Here are a few of the practical plate systems that are common in the market.

  • Perforated Panels : These panels are perfect for aesthetics and modern designs, including sun shades, screens and ceilings.
  • Brushed Aluminum Plates : They have a uniform pattern and are ideal for creating appealing looks.
  • ACP Materials : ACPs are lightweight materials that can be an efficient choice for buildings claddings.
  • Anodized Plates : These particular products can form strong bonds with other materials, and designer can utilize them for decorative purposes.