What is an alloy?
An
alloy is simply a mixture of metals melted together to form a new metal with
characteristics distinct from those metals from which it is made.
What is an Aluminum
Alloy?
An Aluminum alloy is an alloy primarily of pure aluminum, mixed with different
alloying elements that give rise to an entire range of materials, each of which
is designed to maximize a particular characteristic such as strength, ductility,
formability, machinability, or electrical conductivity.
Do the different alloys have a
different color or aspect?
No, they are aesthetically interchageable.
Is it necessary to specify the
alloy?
Only if there is some physical characteristic of the alloy that will have some
bearing on the success of the project (such as corrosion resistence) is it
necessary to specify the actual alloy. Generally, the fabricator will purchase
the material on the basis of shape or form, and it will arrive with the most
commonly available and least expensive alloy present locally.
If there is any
question of the integrity of the material in any way, the designs must be
approved by an engineer, but you will be able to accept substitutions of alloys
with confidence that the resulting product will be aesthetically
acceptable.
What is Temper?
This is the quality of metal that describes it’s ability to spring back after it
is flexed - in effect, the stiffness. It doesn’t have anything to do with how
hard the metal is. Soft temper means that when it is bent, it stays bent, and it
doesn’t take much force to do it. Hard temper means that when it is bent, it
springs back flat, and it takes a lot of force to put a kink into it. There are
several degrees of temper; Soft, 1/4 Hard, 1/2 Hard, 3/4 Hard, and Hard. All
metals are subject to temper, and it is a quality of the product that is
imparted at the mill. It has no impact on hardness, color, machinability or
weldability. However, bending (kinking) and heating to a high temperature can
remove the temper and soften the metal at that point. This is called annealing.
Sterling Fence Inc. handles Jerith Aluminum Ornamenal fence of which most models are made of an hs35 alloy which adds strength in both the posts and pickets.
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