Category Archive: Aluminum angles

A Guide to Aluminum Angles: Characteristics, Types, and Applications

Aluminum angles consist of two legs—of equal or unequal lengths—arranged to form a 90 degree angle. Due to their material strength and lightweight construction, these components are suitable for use in structural and general engineering and manufacturing applications across a wide range of industries, including building, construction, and transportation.

Aluminum Angle Material Characteristics and Types

Aluminum is used to fabricate angles due to its strength. In addition to this quality, it demonstrates the following characteristics:

  • Excellent weldability
  • Moderate machining and grinding capabilities
  • Poor bending and forming capabilities
  • Moderate wear resistance
  • Moderate corrosion resistance

Additionally, the material exhibits the following mechanical properties:

  • Tensile strength – 45 ksi
  • Yield point – 45 ksi
  • Shear strength – 30 ksi
  • Elasticity – 10 ksi
  • Elongation in 2 inches – 17%
  • Fatigue Limit – 14 ksi
  • Brinell Hardness – 95
  • Melting Point – 1220F

There are several types of aluminum used to manufacture angles, including:

  • 6061-T6 aluminum is versatile, strong, and extremely resistant to corrosion. This type of aluminum, containing both magnesium and silicon, expresses high weldability and formability. It is the most commonly used material for structural components, especially in applications where strength and stability are the highest priority. 6061 aluminum angles typically feature rounded corners.
  • 6063 aluminum is similarly allowed with magnesium and silicone and moderately strong, but it tends to be used more commonly in fabrication projects where corrosion resistance or finishing treatments are crucial. In angles made of 6063, the interior radius corners are sharp rather than round as in 6061 aluminum angles.

Aluminum Angle Applications

Aluminum Angle Material Characteristics and TypesAluminum angles are used in a wide range of general structural applications, including:

  • Trailers
  • Safety cages
  • Walkways
  • Farming equipment
  • Scaffolding
  • Ship & building equipment
  • Transmission towers

More specifically, typical applications for 6061 aluminum include braces, supports, and truck beds, while 6063 aluminum angles are used in construction appliances, architectural trim, racks, automotive appliances, and machine parts.

In addition to structural applications, aluminum angles are also widely employed in the engineering industries, including for railcars, cooling towers, and ground transportation systems. Since 6063 aluminum is often anodized, angles made from the material are more suitable for these engineering applications than structural designs.

Tri-State Aluminum’s Standard Extrusions

Depending on the requirements of the application, the extrusions employed for it can be standard or custom made. At Tri-State Aluminum, we can supply both standard and custom aluminum extrusions, including angles, in 6061, 6005, 6063, 6105, and 6463 aluminum material. Some of our standard extrusions include:

  • Rectangular Bar
  • Square-Hexagonal Bar
  • Round Rod
  • Angles (Sharp Corners)
  • Angles (Rounded Corners)
  • Channels Sharp Corners
  • Tees Sharp and Rounded Corners
  • Zee Bar
  • Round Tube
  • IPS Pipe Round
  • Serrated Tube
  • Rectangular Tube
  • Rectangular Tube Angles
  • I Beams Rounded Angle
  • Sharp Corners
  • I Beams Rounded Angle
  • Rounded Corners
  • I Beams Tapered Walls

Contact Tri-State Aluminum Today

Aluminum angles are crucial components in structural, engineering, and manufacturing applications. While, in general, the properties of material facilitate their employment in these applications, specific materials are more suited to use cases over others.

At Tri-State Aluminum, we offer both standard aluminum angles, and the services to create custom aluminum extruded angles, to suit the needs of your specific application. In addition to extrusions, we also offer design, fabrication, and finishing services to create virtually any extruded part or components.

Request a quote today to find out how we can help you in your next structural, engineering, or manufacturing project.