Aluminum Extrusion Design Tips
Symmetry is highly recommended and should be used whenever possible. This includes keeping wall-thickness variations to a minimum. Walls with an uneven thickness will cool at varying rates during heat-treat quenching, which can contribute to distortions. Remember that wall thickness minimums will increase as the aluminum extrusion shape gets larger.
Narrow shapes that have deep gaps can also cause problems. In these scenarios, the die steel that forms the opening is difficult to support and prone to breaking. Certain shapes that are not hollow must be produced on a hollow-type die. Otherwise, the die tongue can’t endure the extrusion pressure and will break.
Thermally Treated Temper
Aluminum has four temper designations, with “T” meaning thermally treated. Each subdivision of T (1-10) represents a specific sequence of basic temperature treatments for aluminum extrusions.
T1
After an elevated temperature shaping process, the aluminum extrusion is cooled and naturally aged to a substantially stable state. Suitable for parts that will not be cold worked after cooling.
T2
After an elevated temperature shaping process, the aluminum extrusion is cooled and cold worked. It is naturally aged to a substantially stable state. Can include products that are cold flattened or cold straightened.
T3
Heat-treated with solution and cold-worked to improve strength after cooling. It is naturally aged to a substantially stable state.
T4
Heat-treated with solution and naturally aged to a substantially stable state. Will not be cold worked after heat treatment.
T5
After an elevated temperature shaping process, the aluminum extrusion is cooled. It is then artificially aged and is not cold worked after heat treatment.
T6
Heat-treated with solution and then artificially aged. WiIl not be cold worked after heat treatment.
T7
Heat-treated with solution and overaged and stabilized. Applies to wrought products which are artificially aged after solution heat treatment.
T8
Heat-treated with solution, cold-worked, and artificially aged. Applies to products that are cold worked for improved strength, flattening, or straightening.
T9
Heat-treated with solution, artificially aged, and cold-worked. Applicable to products that are cold worked for enhanced strength.
T10
After an elevated temperature shaping process, the aluminum extrusion is cooled, cold-worked, and artificially aged.
Aluminum Wire, Rod, and Bar Standards
For a comprehensive table and data on specifications for our aluminum extruded wire, rods, and bars, please utilize this resource. Included are details of mechanical property limits, dimensional tolerances, closed shape dimensions, open-space dimensions, diameter across flats, thickness or width, length, straightness, twist, flatness, surface roughness, contours, corner and filet radii, and angularity.
Comparative Aluminum Characteristics Table
This resource contains information and specific aluminum alloys and corresponding tempers. Included are comparative grades of corrosion resistance, cold workability, machinability, brazeability, weldability (gas, arc, and resistance to spot and seam), and common applications of said aluminum alloys.
Comprehensive Aluminum Extrusion Services from Tri-State Aluminum
If you are in the market for a full-service aluminum extrusion company, we can help. Not only can Tri-State Aluminum handle all the aluminum extrusion steps, but we can also cut, fabricate, finish, pack, and ship all the finished aluminum products.
We have a diverse group of clients. From complex engineering projects to simple painting frames, we can serve just about any industry. We have proudly been in the aluminum extrusion business for over 30 years. Our founders saw the need for an aluminum extruder that wasn’t tied to a major multinational manufacturer. We are small enough to work closely with our clients and big enough to complete large and complex orders. With our fleet of trucks, we can deliver quickly across the Tri-state area given our strategic location in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Our shop is less than one mile from Route 287, allowing us to get deliveries on the road quickly.
Sustainability is a priority for our company, allowing us to work on green projects. Aluminum is one of the most recycled materials in human history. We believe that high-quality aluminum and sustainability go hand in hand.
We believe that your aluminum product is our aluminum product. We take a consultative approach with clients, ensuring that the final aluminum product meets a high standard of quality. Our team can help with conceptualizing a product, designing the product, and bringing it to fruition.





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Why Choose Tri-State Aluminum?
Since 1990, Tri-State Aluminum has been your go-to partner for high-quality aluminum extrusions, serving industries from construction to transportation with precision and care.
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Tri-State Aluminum
81 Chimney Rock Road
Bridgewater, NJ 08807