Where can I buy aluminum tubing?

Looking for aluminum tubing but unsure where to start? Sourcing the right supplier can be overwhelming, risking quality or project delays. Your needs are specific.

You can buy aluminum tubing from specialist metal suppliers, large industrial distributors, direct from manufacturers for bulk orders, or even some online marketplaces and local hardware stores for smaller quantities.
At SWA Forging, our motto is "Master Southwest Aluminum Right." We specialize in large-diameter forged aluminum rings and discs. But our expertise covers the vast world of aluminum. I know our clients – traders looking for reliable sources and machining plant managers needing precise materials – often work with various aluminum forms. So, sharing insights on sourcing aluminum tubing¹, even if it's not our primary product for sale, fits our mission. We want to make aluminum knowledge accessible. Knowing where and how to buy is a key part of this.

What is the aluminum tubing?

Unclear about what exactly aluminum tubing is? Misunderstanding materials can lead to costly errors in your projects. Clarity is absolutely essential for success.

Aluminum tubing is a versatile, hollow extruded or drawn product made from various aluminum alloys. It is known for being lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion.

Aluminum tubing is basically a hollow piece of aluminum. It often comes in round, square, or rectangular shapes. It is made using methods like extrusion or drawing. These methods give the tubing consistent sizes and good surface quality. The word "aluminum" means the main metal. But tubing is nearly always made from an aluminum alloy. Alloys mix aluminum with other materials like magnesium, silicon, copper, or zinc. This mixing improves certain features of the aluminum.

Key Characteristics:

• Lightweight: Aluminum is much lighter than steel, about one-third the weight. This makes aluminum tubes easy to handle and move. It also helps in designs where saving weight is important.
• Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally creates a protective oxide layer on its surface. This layer helps it resist rust and many types of corrosion. This is very useful for things used outdoors or in damp places. I have seen many marine applications benefit greatly from this.
• Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Aluminum is not as strong as steel if you compare them directly. But many aluminum alloys² have a great strength-to-weight ratio. This means you can get good strength with less material weight.
• Formability & Machinability: Aluminum is easy to shape. It is also generally easy to machine, cut, drill, and weld. However, how easy it is to weld can change depending on the specific alloy.

Common Aluminum Tube Alloys:

Our trader clients often ask about the best alloys for their customers. It really depends on the final use.

Understanding these basics helps you pick the right aluminum tubing.

What is the difference between aluminum pipe and aluminum tube?

Confused about pipe versus tube terminology? Ordering the wrong one leads to project delays and wasted material. This common mix-up can be very costly.

Aluminum pipe is for fluid or gas transport, sized by nominal inside diameter (NPS) and schedule. Tubing is for structural or mechanical use, specified by actual outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness.

It is a very common point of confusion. But "pipe" and "tube" mean different things for aluminum products. This difference is very important for my trader clients. They need to supply the correct items. It is also critical for machining plant managers who specify materials.

Aluminum Pipe Explained:

Think of aluminum pipe mainly as a way to move things.

• Purpose: It is designed to carry fluids like water or oil. It can also carry gases. Often, these are under pressure. Examples are irrigation systems or air lines.
• Sizing: Pipe is sized by a Nominal Pipe Size (NPS). This is a standard number without units. For smaller NPS, it roughly matches the inside diameter. The wall thickness uses a Schedule number (like Sch 40). A key thing to remember: the actual outside diameter (OD) for a specific NPS pipe is always the same. It does not change with the schedule.
• Shape: It is almost always round.
• Tolerances: The allowed variations in size are generally looser than for tubing. The main concerns are flow capacity and pressure strength.

Aluminum Tubing Explained:

Aluminum tubing is mostly for structural or mechanical uses.

• Purpose: It is used when exact sizes, specific strength, and shape matter. Examples are frameworks, machine parts, and furniture.
• Sizing: Tubing is sized by its actual outside diameter (OD) and its wall thickness. These are precise measurements.
• Shape: It comes in many shapes. You can find round, square, rectangular, and oval tubes. Custom shapes are also possible.
• Tolerances: The allowed size variations are usually much tighter than for pipe. This ensures it fits and works well in assemblies.
  I remember a case. A new sourcing manager at a machining plant ordered "1-inch aluminum pipe". They actually needed 1-inch OD aluminum tube for a precision jig. The OD difference was large. It caused a delay. So, always be very clear about this.

Is aluminum tubing cheaper than steel?

Wondering about cost? Choosing materials just on price per pound can be misleading. It can negatively impact your budget. There is more to think about.

Per pound, aluminum tubing is often more expensive than common steel tubing. However, aluminum's lower density means you get more material length per pound. This can potentially offset the cost.

The question of whether aluminum tubing is cheaper than steel tubing is not simple. It depends on a few things.

Price Per Unit Weight:

Generally, if you compare by pound or kilogram, raw aluminum costs more than common carbon steel. This is because making primary aluminum uses more energy. So, if you only look at the price for the same weight, steel often seems cheaper.

Density and Weight Savings:

This is where aluminum has an advantage. Aluminum is about one-third as dense as steel. This means for the same size and length of tubing, the aluminum tube will weigh much less. So, you might pay more per pound. But you often need fewer pounds of aluminum. This is true if you are designing for a certain volume or length of tubing. For many of our trader clients, shipping costs are a big deal. Lighter aluminum can save money there. I've seen this benefit them many times.

Other Cost Factors to Consider:

• Fabrication: Aluminum is usually easier to cut, machine, and form than steel. This can mean lower labor and tooling costs when making things.
• Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally resists corrosion. This often means you do not need to paint or galvanize it. These are extra costs you might have with steel. It also means a longer life and lower upkeep costs for aluminum.
• Strength-to-Weight: You might be able to use a smaller or thinner-walled aluminum tube. It could give the same strength as a heavier steel tube in some uses. This also affects the amount of material and cost.
• Alloy Type: Like steel, aluminum comes in different alloys with different prices. High-strength aluminum alloys for aerospace will cost more than common alloys for architecture.
  I always tell clients to look at the total installed cost and lifecycle cost. They should not just look at the first material purchase price.

What is aluminium tubing used for?

Curious about where aluminum tubing fits in? Not knowing its applications might mean missing out on its benefits. This could affect your specific project needs.

Aluminum tubing is incredibly versatile. It is used in construction (frames, railings), transportation (vehicle parts, aerospace), industrial machinery, heat exchangers, furniture, sporting goods, and electrical conduits.

Aluminum tubing is used in many different ways. This is because it has a great mix of properties. At SWA Forging, our main products are large forged items. But we know that materials like tubing are very important in many industries. Our clients work in these industries.

Key Application Areas:

• Construction and Architecture: This is a very big area. You will find aluminum tubes in window and door frames. They are in curtain wall systems, railings, and scaffolding. They are also used for support structures and even for decoration. Alloys like 6063 are common here. They extrude well and have a good surface finish.
• Automotive and Transportation: Car makers want lighter vehicles. So, they use more aluminum. Tubing is used for chassis parts, roll cages, and radiators. It is also in intercoolers, air conditioning lines, and fuel lines. You see it in the frames of bicycles, motorcycles, buses, and trains. Machining plants often buy specific alloy tubes like 6061 for these parts that need strength.
• Aerospace: High-strength aluminum alloy tubes (like 2024 or 7075) are essential. They are used for aircraft structures, hydraulic lines, and fuel lines. In aerospace, saving weight and being reliable are most important.
• Industrial and Manufacturing: Aluminum tubes are parts of machines and conveyor systems. They are in robotic arms, pneumatic systems, and heat exchangers. This is because aluminum conducts heat well. I have worked with machining plant managers. They need very precise drawn tubes for these uses.
• Consumer Goods: Think about furniture like chairs and tables. Also, sporting equipment like tent poles, ski poles, and baseball bats use aluminum tubes. Lighting fixtures, antennas, and parts in appliances also use them.
• Marine Applications: Aluminum tubes are great for boats. This is because they resist corrosion very well, especially 5xxx series alloys. They are used for boat railings, tuna towers, and other things on boats.
  You can also anodize aluminum tubes. This gives them color and more protection. This makes them useful when looks are important.

Conclusion

Aluminum tubing is useful for many things. Knowing its types, uses, how it differs from pipe, and its limits helps you choose well. SWA Forging aims to help you master aluminum.