Aluminum sheet metal is one of the most widely used abrasive and engineering materials today. This is due in large part to a number of key aluminum sheet metal properties that, when combined, make it stand out as one of the ideal types of sheet metal for a wide range of environments and applications.
Some of the most valuable properties that make it stand out for its value include:
Lightweight (about 1/3 the size of steel in terms of volume), making it an extremely cost-effective solution in transportation and logistics operations
Strong enough for a wide range of architectural and structural applications
Resistant to corrosion in outdoor and wet environments
Easy to mold, with a relatively low melting point (660 degrees Celsius), even in thicker gauges
Suitable for food-grade applications, including direct contact packaging, as it is non-reactive and completely airtight (even at very light foil thicknesses) with no odor or taste
Fire resistant - it will not burn unless it is a very thin film and does not release toxic gases when melting
Highly reflective, suitable for energy-efficient heating and lighting systems
Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity (about twice that of copper), again making it suitable for economical heat and power systems
Easily recyclable, reducing the rate of loss during decomposition (currently, about three-quarters of the aluminum panels produced in the past are still in circulation)
Durable and low-maintenance, reducing replacement rates and environmental impacts
Available in a virtually unlimited range of thicknesses and sheet sizes