As an aluminum supplier, what should you know about plate and pipe?

Understanding aluminum plate and pipe specifics can be complex. Mistakes mean wasted resources and project setbacks. Knowing the nuances ensures you source or use the right material every time.

Aluminum plate is a flat, rolled product used for structural applications, while aluminum pipe¹, typically round, is designed for fluid/gas conveyance, measured by nominal inside diameter. Tubes differ by being measured by outside diameter.

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Here at SWA Forging, we've been "Mastering Southwest Aluminum Right" since 2012. We specialize in forged rings and discs, but our expertise covers a wide range of aluminum forms. Many of our clients, both traders and machining plants, frequently ask about the differences and applications of aluminum plate and pipe. It's crucial to get these basics right to avoid costly errors. Let's dive into what makes these products distinct and suitable for various needs.

What is the difference between aluminum pipe and aluminum tube then?

Confusing aluminum pipe and tube is a common pitfall. This can lead to ordering the wrong item for your project. Getting it right means your application will perform as intended.
Aluminum pipe is typically round, measured by its nominal inside diameter (NPS) for fluid/gas flow. Aluminum tube can be various shapes (round, square, rectangular) and is measured by its exact outside diameter (OD) for structural uses.
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The distinction between aluminum pipe and aluminum tube might seem small, but it's very important for both traders stocking inventory and machining plants specifying materials. I recall a new sourcing manager at a machining plant who once ordered "2-inch aluminum pipe" for a precision frame assembly. What they received was suitable for plumbing, not their high-tolerance structural need.
The key differences are:

• Measurement:
  • Pipe: Measured by Nominal Pipe Size (NPS), which refers to an approximate inside diameter (ID). The actual ID and outside diameter (OD) vary based on the "schedule" (wall thickness, like Schedule 40 or Schedule 80). Its main job is to carry something.
  • Tube: Measured by its actual outside diameter (OD) and a specific wall thickness. Its dimensions are more precise because it's often used for structural or mechanical parts where fit and tolerance are critical.
• Shape:
  • Pipe: Almost always round.
  • Tube: Can be round, square, rectangular, or even custom shapes.
• Applications:
  • Pipe: Primarily for conveying fluids or gases (e.g., irrigation systems, compressed air lines, railings that might also carry wiring).
  • Tube: Used in structural applications (e.g., frames, supports, machine components), heat exchangers, and where precise dimensions are paramount.
    At SWA Forging, we always clarify these details because providing the right material certificate starts with understanding the customer's exact requirement – pipe for flow, tube for structure.

    What exactly is 6061 aluminum plate?

    You've heard of 6061 aluminum, but what makes the "plate" form special? Not knowing can lead to using a less-than-ideal material. Understanding it helps in choosing a strong, versatile option.
    6061 aluminum plate² is a flat, rolled product made from an alloy of aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. It offers good strength (especially in T6 temper), corrosion resistance, weldability, and machinability, making it very versatile.

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6061 aluminum plate is one of the most popular and versatile aluminum products we deal with at SWA Forging. When a customer, be it a trader looking for widely applicable stock or a machining plant needing a reliable material, asks for "aluminum plate," 6061 is often what they have in mind or what we might recommend for general structural use.
Here's what defines it:

• Composition: It's an alloy primarily of aluminum, with magnesium and silicon as the main alloying elements. This combination gives it its desirable characteristics.
• Form: "Plate" refers to a flat, rolled sheet of aluminum, generally 0.250 inches (6.35mm) thick or more. Thinner material is usually called "sheet."
• Key Properties (especially in T6/T651 temper):
  • Strength: Good strength-to-weight ratio. The T6 temper (solution heat-treated and artificially aged) significantly boosts its strength.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Good resistance to atmospheric corrosion.
  • Weldability: Can be readily welded using various methods.
  • Machinability: Machines well, producing good finishes.
  • Formability: Can be formed, though less so than softer alloys like 5052.
    Its versatility is why it's a staple. I've seen our 6061 plate go into everything from base plates for heavy machinery and structural components in buildings to jigs, fixtures, and even high-end automotive parts after machining. For traders, it’s a good stock item due to its broad application range. For machining plants, it offers a reliable balance of properties for many projects. We always ensure the material certificates reflect the precise temper, like T651, which has been stress-relieved for better stability during machining.

What is aluminum pipe, really?

You might think "pipe is pipe," but aluminum pipe has distinct features. Misunderstanding these can lead to system failures or inefficiencies. Knowing its purpose ensures proper application.
Aluminum pipe is a hollow, usually round, cylindrical product designed primarily for transporting fluids or gases. It's characterized by its nominal inside diameter (NPS) and schedule (wall thickness), offering lightness and corrosion resistance.

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When we talk about aluminum pipe at SWA Forging, especially with customers in industries like agriculture or general construction, we're referring to a product specifically designed for conveyance. It’s not just any hollow aluminum cylinder.
Here's a breakdown:

• Primary Function: Its main job is to move liquids or gases. Think irrigation systems, compressed air lines, or even conduit for electrical wiring.
• How It's Measured: This is crucial. Aluminum pipe uses Nominal Pipe Size (NPS). So, a "1-inch pipe" doesn't actually have a 1-inch inside or outside diameter. It's a standard designation. The wall thickness is defined by a "schedule" number (e.g., Sch 10, Sch 40, Sch 80). A higher schedule number means a thicker wall and thus a smaller inside diameter for the same NPS. For example, a 1" Sch 40 pipe has an OD of 1.315" and ID of 1.049", while a 1" Sch 80 pipe has the same OD but an ID of 0.957".
• Common Alloys: Alloys like 6061-T6 or 6063-T6 are often used for aluminum pipe because they offer a good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability, suitable for these applications.
• Advantages: Compared to steel pipe, aluminum pipe is much lighter and generally offers better corrosion resistance, especially in certain environments. This makes it easier to handle and install, and it can last longer without needing coatings in some situations.
  We had a client, a trader supplying materials for a large greenhouse project, who specifically needed Schedule 40, 6063-T6 aluminum pipe for the irrigation network. The specifications were precise because flow rates and pressure ratings were critical. This highlights why understanding pipe terminology is so important. It's different from tube, which would be specified by exact OD and wall for a structural frame.

What is the strength of aluminum plate determined by?

"How strong is aluminum plate?" is a common question, but the answer is "it depends." Assuming a generic strength can lead to over-engineering or, worse, under-engineering and failure.
The strength of aluminum plate varies greatly, determined by its specific alloy (e.g., 3003, 5052, 6061, 7075) and its temper (the heat treatment or work-hardening condition it has undergone).

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When a customer from a machining plant asks me about the strength of an aluminum plate, my first questions are always, "Which alloy and which temper are you considering?" There's no single "strength" for aluminum plate; it's a spectrum.
Key strength indicators we discuss:

• Tensile Strength (Ultimate Tensile Strength - UTS): The maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before necking, which is when the specimen's cross-section starts to significantly contract.
• Yield Strength: The stress at which the material begins to deform plastically (permanently). For design, this is often more critical than tensile strength because you usually don't want a part to permanently bend.
• Alloy: Different alloying elements dramatically affect strength.
  • 1xxx series (e.g., 1100): Pure aluminum, low strength, excellent corrosion resistance and formability.
  • 3xxx series (e.g., 3003): Alloyed with manganese, moderate strength, good formability. Often used for general sheet metal work. A 3003-H14 plate might have a yield strength around 21 ksi.
  • 5xxx series (e.g., 5052): Alloyed with magnesium, good strength (especially work-hardened), excellent corrosion resistance. 5052-H32 plate could be around 28 ksi yield.
  • 6xxx series (e.g., 6061): Alloyed with magnesium and silicon, heat-treatable for good strength. 6061-T6 plate typically has a yield strength around 40 ksi.
  • 7xxx series (e.g., 7075): Alloyed with zinc, heat-treatable to very high strengths, used in aerospace. 7075-T6 plate can exceed 70 ksi yield.
• Temper: The heat treatment or strain hardening process. For example, 6061-O (annealed) is much softer and weaker than 6061-T6 (solution heat-treated and artificially aged).
  At SWA Forging, providing the material certificate with exact alloy and temper, confirmed by our rigorous quality inspection, is paramount. This ensures our clients, whether traders distributing to various industries or machining plants creating precise components, receive aluminum plate with the specific strength characteristics their application demands.

Conclusion

Understanding aluminum plate (for structure) and pipe (for flow), including alloy and temper specifics like 6061 for plate strength, is key for any aluminum supplier or user.