Aluminum is the third most abundant element. When it comes to a variety of use, no other metal can compare. It is even used in ways you never thought of such as in manufacturing glass.

Besides being 100% recyclable, aluminum is incredibly popular due to it being:

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Strong
• Corrosion Resistant
• Odorless
• Malleable
• Ductile
• No Loss Of Natural Properties

Recycling scraps of aluminum only takes up to 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum.

Most Common Uses of Aluminum

When it comes to aluminum, the most common uses include:

• Transportation
• Construction
• Consumer Goods
• Electrical

Aluminum Uses For Transportation

Aluminum is used in transportation due to its unbeatable strength to weight ratio.

Aluminum’s lightweight requires less force to move a vehicle. Thus, leading to better fuel efficiency.

Being that it is also corrosion resistant, you eliminate the need for expensive anti-corrosion coatings.

Experts are already predicting that the average aluminum used in a vehicle will increase by 60% by 2025.

Aluminum Use For Construction

When a building is made with aluminum, it is virtually maintenance free. This is due to aluminum’s superior resistance to corrosion.

With aluminum, you also get a pleasing finish that can be curved, cut, or welded into any shape.

In addition, aluminum allows modern architects the freedom to create buildings no wood, plastic or steel could create.

Aluminum Use For Electrical Purposes

Aluminum may have 60% of the electrical conductivity of copper. However, its low density makes it the ideal solution for long distance power lines.

Aluminum is also more ductile than copper. This means it can be formed into wires much more easily.

Aluminum can be used for:

• Power-Lines & Cables
• Motors
• Appliances
• TV Antennas
• Satellite Dishes

The corrosion resistance of aluminum is what helps protect wires from electrical damage.

Aluminum Uses For Consumer Goods

The appearance of aluminum is why it is used so frequently in consumer goods. It gives modern tech gadgets a sleek and sophisticated appeal. Also making them light and durable.

Nowadays, aluminum is replacing plastic and steel components. This is due to it being stronger and tougher than plastic while also being lighter than steel.

At WRISCO, we are one of the largest aluminum suppliers across the United States. We are the aluminum experts that have been providing quality customer service for more than 100 years.

We provide a range of products including:

• Aluminum
• Steel
• Architectural
• Leisure Living Products

For unmatched quality Aluminum Products and Superior Services, contact us at (800) 627-2646.

Anodizing is a process that applies a protective coating to an aluminum surface. This coating is not only incredibly durable but is also aesthetically pleasing. Yes, painting is another option for coloring or dying aluminum. However, when compared to anodizing, the initial cost and long term advantages anodizing provides make paint a pointless option.  

Aesthetics, durability, and cost all play a role in deciding which application is best. Anodizing or Painting? When it comes down to it, the application and desired appearance of the aluminum dictates the finished product. If looks, hardness, and aesthetics are desired, Anodizing is the go-to solution.

How Anodized Aluminum Improves Products

To start with, anodizing applies an oxide layer that grows from the aluminum’s surface. This is done through an electrochemical process where anodizing bonds to the aluminum at a molecular level.

In terms of hardness, anodized aluminum is second only to diamonds when it comes to hardness. The surface naturally resists scratches in ways a simple paint coat could never achieve.

What Is Anodizing?

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that forms a protective coating on the surface of aluminum. This coating can be colored or dyed in accordance with your coating preferences.

The aluminum oxide coating applied is not only very hard but incredibly durable. This coating also protects the base metal with a weather resistant substance.

Advantage Of Anodizing

The anodized coating is integral to the metal. The advantages anodizing provides includes:

• Harder Than PVDF (Polyvinylidene)
• Harder Than Steel
• Anodized Coating Is Part Of The Metal
• Deep, Rich, Metallic Appearance
• Coating Is Translucent
• Unaffected By Sunlight
• Easier To Dye
• High-Gloss Or Brushed Finish Options

Applying an anodized coating to aluminum means it will not chalk, chip, flake, or peel.

Why Have Your Aluminum Anodized

An anodized aluminum layer not only lasts longer than painted aluminum but is much easier to clean. Saving you a lot of money over time while at the same time increasing the lifespan of the metal coating.

Having aluminum anodized means the metal becomes much more resistant to abrasions. Ultimately providing impeccable durability and superior scratch resistance.

Anodizing essentially makes aluminum look better, last longer, and become more durable.

Best Metal Applications For Anodizing

When you want true strength and beauty to shine through, anodizing is the go-to solution. It is capable of creating that “true” metal look such as titanium, stainless steel, bronze, and so much more.

Anodizing is one of the most sought after coating options for many applications including:

• Exterior Wall Cladding
• Building Roofing
• Walls & Flooring For Planes
• Small & Large Appliances

When it comes to your choice of aluminum finish, anodizing is the most sought after coating option. Especially for storefronts or anywhere else, a rich metallic appearance is desired. Among the vast options aluminum finishes, Anodizing lasts longer, looks better, and at times can be more economical.

Looking to have aluminum or metal applications Anodized? Get In Touch With WRISCO At (800) 627-2646 Today!

Advertisements are a big part of our outdoor environment. With aluminum, outdoor signs can express their message or stand out properly despite susceptibility to weather. Not only are street signs important to maintain visibility, but businesses will want uniquely express their location with channel letters.
Street Signs Use Robust Colorizing for Traffic
Since 1945, most signs have been constructed of sheet metal aluminum laminated to reflect car lights during low-visibility. Before the development of reflective plastics, reflectivity was the result of glass reflectors in the lettering and symbols. Because almost every street sign is made of aluminum, they are one of the more recyclable materials.

The color of certain street signs has a particular meaning. These color schemes allow the quick interpretation of roadway dangers or right-of-way instructions to keep traffic safe and productive. For example, some of the color meanings for North American roads include:

• Red and White for stop signs.
• Green with White letters for information and directions.
• Brown with White letters for campgrounds and other natural sites.
• Blue with White symbols shows rest stops for refueling and lodging. These signs accompany the logos of the specific businesses, which will require colors that are more intricate.
• White with Black letters for speed limits or regulations.
• Yellow with Black letters and symbols for warning or cautionary signs.
• Orange with black letters for construction warnings and detours.

The quick recognition of these types of messages helps with the reading process. If people expect a certain type of message they can read the message faster, rather than if the message is novelty or hard to recognize. This lets drivers interpret the message more quickly and therefore distract them less from the road. More time spent focusing on the road while also being informed by road signs makes traffic safer and more efficient. Using aluminum to make these signs makes them vivid and visible to facilitate this efficiency.
Channel Letters for Business Advertising
Channel letters are the custom metal or plastic letters seen lit up at night outside of a business. These lit signs are one of the main identifiers for customers to visit a spotted location approaching or passing by, so presentation and first impressions are important. At night, these channel letter signs are useful for attracting customers.

Aluminum color paint may at first appear as a flimsy material because of its use in many products such as aluminum foil or cans. In reality, anodized aluminum sheets can be some of the strongest material used in manufacturing today. The versatility of aluminum sheets must not be mistaken for weakness. It can range from the use of thin drinking cans to high-performance racing cars. One of the reasons why aluminum is so useful is its flexibility. It is used by many industries, but some of the more notable ones are transportation, consumer products, and electrical.

How Aluminum Manifests In Transportation Manufacture

Specifically for automobiles, the use of aluminum protects the quality of the material for a long time. This long-lasting property proves instrumental to the safety of passengers. The main benefit is not the strength of aluminum. Steel is stronger than aluminum, but aluminum is comparable in strength while having much lighter mass. The benefit of this is the fuel efficiency that it gives to trains, planes, and cars. If the transportation vehicle is lighter, it requires less force to move and less power to move. In aviation, the lightweight is not only effective but necessary to maintain flight. The lightweight of aluminum imitates the hollow structure of the bones of birds. Even NASA space shuttles use aluminum to gain as much lift-off as possible.

Consumer Products Gain Proper Sealing Through Aluminum

Aluminum is perfect for any kind of food or medical packaging because there is no toxic effect that can transfer to the product. Instead, it provides a light but durable layer to keep out any moisture. Some of the items that use aluminum include soda cans, foil packaging, trays, cooking surfaces, appliances, and utensils. As opposed to plastic containers, aluminum is the more recyclable material.

Aluminum in the Electrical Industry

Power lines use aluminum wiring to transport electricity to developed areas. The lightness of aluminum means it has a lower density. For electrical conductivity, this means there is less resistance to currency and better transportation of the resource. The strength of the wire is also great for resisting weather for outdoor devices like transformers, satellite dishes, and sound systems. Other forms of electrical devices like phones use aluminum for a premium material. The fragility of these devices requires a durable but lightweight metal to protect their functionality from any damage while also making them user-friendly.

Whether the construction of large buildings that last years or the beverages we dispose of at lunch, aluminum is evident everywhere we go. This metal is a staple to many industries and is becoming more popular because of its recyclability in the movement for environmental awareness. Wrisco offers aluminum sheet metal with many paint colors for diverse usage in many industries. Call us at 800-627-2646 for more information on construction materials.