Aluminum Advantage
Aluminum Properties
Extrusion Technology
Recycling Content
Sapa Profiles and LEED
CSI Divisions and Codes
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Aluminum: Revolutionizing Modern Construction
The Aluminum Advantage
With its special properties and abundant supply, aluminum has revolutionized modern
construction. Aluminum’s unique combination of strength and rigidity, ease of
fabrication, and versatility of design makes it an ideal building material for architectural
products. Our architectural product group can meet your needs on any project; from
small and simple to large and complex. We work with you to combine standardized
components and finishes to suit your specific application. For a more customized
solution, we offer our extensive design and project management expertise.
Strong
Aluminum is low in weight, yet high in strength – an uncommon combination of two
advantageous properties in a structural metal. Aluminum alloys can exhibit the same
strength as many structural steels, but at a third of the weight. As a lightweight material, aluminum reduces transportation costs, installation labor costs and reduces the risk of injury.
Durable
The unique combination of a stable material with an exceptionally durable finish means
long-term quality that requires little to no maintenance. To maintain attractive
appearance, minor cleaning of surface dirt is all that is necessary. Aluminum is a
durable material with consistent and predictable properties. It does not absorb moisture
and is saltwater-resistant, so it will not rust, rot, swell, warp, twist, split or crack.
Green
Aluminum is the metal of the future. In a variety of forms, aluminum is one of the most
plentiful elements on earth making up a full 8% of the Earth’s crust. It is one of the
most recyclable building materials with maintained quality and high yield. The demand
and usage of aluminum will continue to rise as reduced energy consumption becomes
increasingly more vital to our environment. Choosing aluminum is a choice for the environment.
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Aluminum Properties
Weight
With a density of 2.7 g/cm³, aluminum is
approximately one third the density of steel.
Strength
Aluminum alloys commonly have
tensile strengths of between 10 and
100 ksi. The range for alloys used in
extrusion is approximately 22 – 44
ksi.
Unlike most steel grades,
aluminum does not become brittle
at low temperatures. Instead, its
strength increases.
At temperatures continuously above 212ºF, strength is affected
to the extent that the weakening
must be taken in to account.
Linear expansion
Compared with other metals, aluminum has a relatively large coefficient
of linear expansion. This has to be
taken into account in some degree.
Malleability
Aluminum’s superior malleability
is essential for extrusion. With the
metal either hot or cold, this property is also exploited in the rolling of
strips and foils, as well as in bending
and other forming operations.
Machining
Aluminum is easily worked using
most machining methods – milling,
drilling, cutting, punching, bending,
etc. Furthermore, the energy input
during machining is low.
Jointing
Features facilitating easy jointing are often
incorporated into profile design. Fusion welding, friction stir welding, bonding and taping are
also used for jointing.
Conductivity
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and
electricity. An aluminum conductor weighs
approximately half as much as a
copper conductor having the same
conductivity.
Reflectivity
Aluminum is a good reflector of both
visible light and radiated heat.
Screening – EMC
Tight aluminum boxes can effectively
exclude or screen off electromagnetic
radiation. The better the conductivity
of a material, the better the shielding
qualities.
Corrosion resistance
Aluminum reacts with the oxygen in
the air to form an extremely thin layer
of oxide. This layer is dense and provides excellent corrosion protection.
The layer is self repairing if damaged.
Anodizing increases the thickness of the oxide layer and thus
improves the strength of the natural
corrosion protection. Where aluminum is used outdoors, a thickness
between .015 and .025 mm (depending on wear and risk of corrosion) is
common.
Aluminum is extremely durable
in neutral and slightly acidic environments. In environments characterized
by high acidity or high basicity,
corrosion is more rapid.
Non-magnetic material
Aluminum is a non-magnetic material. To avoid
interference of magnetic fields, aluminum is
often used in magnet X-ray devices.
Zero toxicity
After oxygen and silicon, aluminum is the most
common element in the Earth’s crust. Aluminum
compounds also occur naturally in our food.
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Extrusion Technology
The advantages of aluminum profiles are to a great extent based on their manufacturing
method – through extrusion. The method provides unique construction and design
possibilities. The opportunity to experiment also takes advantage of the relative low
tooling cost.
Extrusion: A preheated aluminum billet is forced through a die with the profile
emerging like toothpaste from a tube. The shape of the profile is determined by the
shape of the hole of the die. The profile’s length is normally between 80 and 145 feet.
Cooling in air or water commences immediately as the profile leaves the die.
After cooling, the profile is stretched. This is both to relieve any stress and to give the
profile the desired straightness. At the same time, all functionally important dimensions
and surface quality are checked. The profile is then cut to a suitable length or the exact
length requested by the customer. The final strength of the metal is controlled through
natural or artificial aging.
For more information and to discover how Sapa can add value to your projects, please
contact our Extrusion division at 503-802-3000 or Toll Free 1-800-547-0790.
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Recycling Content
January 1, 2009
Subject: Aluminum Extrusions – Recycle Content
Sapa Profiles, Inc.’s environmental policy is to balance the needs of business with the
long term needs of the environment. As part of our recycling program, all of our scrap
aluminum is returned to our suppliers to re-melt into new aluminum products. Although
our recycled material percentages constantly change based upon the type of billet we
order, currently approximately 25% of our product comes from recycled post-industry
aluminum.
While Post-consumer aluminum is 100% recyclable, the extrusion process does not
use a higher recycled content because of quality problems. A major concern is
discoloration that occurs in the anodized finishing process. Other difficulties can
occur in meeting the strength and hardness certifications required by many of our
customers for the alloys and tempers we supply.
In addition to the above, all extruded product is extruded in Portland and 65% of our
billet supply is from Oregon or Washington.
Sincerely,
William H. Cooke
Sapa Profiles, Inc.
Quality Manager
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Sapa’s Contribution to LEED®
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green
Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global
adoption of sustainable green building and development practices
through the creation and implementation of universally understood
and accepted tools and performance criteria.
The built environment has a profound
impact on our natural environment,
economy, health and productivity.
In the United States buildings account for:
The Casey Condominiums in Portland, Oregon was the
first LEED platinum-certified condominium in the United
States. Sapa Profiles aluminum railing contributed to the
Casey’s LEED score.
Why is LEED important?
•
•
•
•
•
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Conserve natural resources
Reduce operating costs
Enhance occupant comfort and health
Minimize strain on local infrastructure
Enhance asset value and profits
Contribute to overall quality of life
Aluminum Facts:
• Extremely easy to maintain and
corrosion-resistant
• Light to transport which leads to
reduced fuel costs
• Recyclable and reusable
65% of electricity consumption
36% of energy use
39% of greenhouse gas emissions
30% of raw materials use
30% of waste output
How can Sapa help?
How Sapa products can contribute to your
projects LEED certification:
Credit 2.1 Construction Waste Management, Divert 50% from Disposal
Credit 2.2 Construction Waste Management, Divert 75% from Disposal
Credit 4.1
Recycle Content 10% Credit 4.2
Recycle Content 20%
Use materials with recycled content such that the sum of post-consumer
recycled content plus one-half of the pre-consumer content constitutes at
least 10% or 20% of the total value of the materials in the project.
Credit 5.1
Regional Materials 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured
Credit 5.2
Regional Materials 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured
Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested
or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project
site for a minimum of 10% or 20% of the total materials value.
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CSI Codes & Specs
Sapa can fabricate within the below codes:
Product Category
Railing
CSI Division CSI Code CSI Description
5
055200
Metal Railing
5
055213
Railings
5
057000
Decorative Metal
5
057300
Decorative Metal Railing
Gates
2
02820
Ornamental Fences
and Gates
Architectural Wall Panel
Systems
5
055813
Column Covers
5
055816
Formed Metal Enclosures
5
057500
Decorative Formed Metal
7
074113
Metal Roof Panels
7
074143
Composite Roof Panels
7
074163
Fabricated Floor Panel Assemblies
7
074213
Metal Wall Panels
7
074243
Composite Wall Panels
7
074263
Fabricated Wall Panel Assemblies
7
076200
Sheet Metal Flashing and Trim
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