What Types of Aluminum Are Used for Fencing?
When you’re talking about metal fencing, you probably use simple words like steel or aluminum, but the truth is, there are many different versions of these types of metals, and not all of them are suitable for fencing.
That means that when you’re designing an aluminum fence, you need to be more specific than just saying aluminum if you want to get a strong, durable fence. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is aluminum?
aluminum is a metal that is also an element, with the symbol Al on the periodic table.
This means that aluminum is a naturally occurring metal like gold (Au) or nickel (Ni), which also means that you can mine aluminum-containing ore from the ground.
Some metals, like steel and bronze, are not elements, which means they do not occur naturally. We need to mix metals and other elements together to make those kinds of metals.
What Are the Properties of aluminum?
We use different metals for different things in the fence world and elsewhere.
Some, like steel, are prized because they are very strong. Others, like gold, are good conductors and are also valued for their beauty and shine.
aluminum has several properties that make it suitable for various applications.
It’s a very lightweight metal, and it is one of the most abundant elements in the world.
Aluminum is also very conductive, and unlike steel, it does not rust, but pure aluminum is also very soft compared to other metals. This is why when we use aluminum for things like fences and gates, we use an alloy of aluminum rather than pure metal.
What Are Aluminum Alloys?
When we want to use a metal like aluminum for things that require more strength, like fencing and gates, we need to use an aluminum alloy rather than pure metal, which would be much too soft for this type of application.
Aluminum alloys are metals that mix aluminum with other metals, compounds, and elements to create a metal that has all the positive features of aluminum but has fewer of the negative attributes like being too soft.
Some of the metals and elements that might be added to aluminum alloys include zinc, copper, nickel, tin, silicon, magnesium, manganese, and others.
Which Kinds of Aluminum Are Used for Fencing?
As you can imagine, since there are so many things that might be added to pure aluminum to get the qualities you want for a specific application, there are many different alloys of aluminum on the market.
The most commonly used aluminum alloys in the fence world are 6061 and 6063 since these alloys have the required strength for something like a fence structure.
It’s always a good idea to speak to an engineer or an aluminum specialist (or both) when you are designing a fence so that you can be sure you’re choosing the right alloys for your project.
Cast Versus Extruded Aluminum in Fencing
Another important thing you need to know about the aluminum used in fencing is that there are different ways for aluminum fence components to be made.
In some cases, like residential chain link fence fittings, molten aluminum is poured into a mold to create the shape of the fittings.
In others, such as manufacturing aluminum tubing, channels, or wire, aluminum is extruded or drawn into the required shape.
These different methods of manufacturing will also have an impact on the strength and other properties of the aluminum components, so that’s something else you should consider when designing an aluminum fence.
Buy from Reputable Sources
Because there are so many things that go into ensuring that your aluminum fencing is strong and durable, the most important advice we can give you is to make sure you’re buying your aluminum fence from a reputable supplier.
There’s really no such thing as a cheap aluminum fence, and if it is cheap, it won’t be good. So always take extra care in selecting the right product for your fence project so you can get a fence that will last and get the job done.
