Property |
Aluminum Extrusions
|
Molded Plastic
|
Wood |
Vinyl
(Polyvinyl Chloride) |
Strength (Tensile)
|
Very good mechanical properties.
|
Wide variation in properties
from .08 to .8 tensile strength of aluminum extrusions for glass
filled compounds. |
Good compressive properties,
variable with the species of wood and moisture content. |
Low mechanical properties. |
| Density |
Lightweight; about 1/3 that
of copper or steel. |
Very lightweight; about 60%
the weight of aluminum. |
Very lightweight. about 1/3
the density of aluminum. |
Very lightweight about 60% the
density of aluminum. |
| Strength to Weight Ratio |
Very Good. |
Low-good. |
Low-good. |
Low-good. |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Excellent; it can be further
increased, along with enhanced appearance, through anodizing
or other coatings. |
Excellent; choice of compound
and color important for weatherability (UV). |
Not directly applicable; decomposes
in the presence of some acids. |
Excellent; high resistance to
aikalis and salts but is attacked by organic solvents and strong
acids. |
| Formability |
Easily formable and extruded
in a wide variety of complex shapes including multi-void hollows.
Formable to net shapes, and extrusions provide for the placement
of metal where it's needed. |
Easily formed or molded into
complex shapes. |
Poor; cannot be routinely formed.
|
Easily formed or molded into
complex shapes. |
| Electrical Conductivity |
Excellent; on a pound for pound
basis, twice as efficient as copper, used in bus bar and electric
connector applications. |
Poor; used as an insulator,
high dielectric capability. |
Poor; cannot be used as an electrical
conductor Usually cannot be employed as an insulator. |
Poor; electrical and thermal
insulating characteristics. |
| Thermal Conductivity |
Excellent; ideal for heat exchanger
applications. |
Poor; low coefficient of thermal
(heat) transfer. |
Poor. |
Poor. |
Finishing
|
A near limitless array of finishes
can be applied including mechanical and chemical prefinishes,
anodic coatings, paints and electroplated finishes. |
Color can be integral with material
as well as plated, painted, and hot stamped. |
Paint and stain coatings can
be employed. |
Color can be integral with material.
|
| Recyclability |
High scrap value; routinely
reprocessed to generate new extrusions. |
Routinely reprocessed but loses
properties; reprocessed material is added to new stock. |
Low scrap value. |
Low scrap value routinely reprocessed.
|
| Tooling Economics |
Extrusion tooling is relatively
inexpensive. Generally, a simple shape will cost only a few
hundred dollars. Short lead times for tooling construction.
|
Tooling is expensive; generally
in the thousands of dollars. Long lead times required. |
Very inexpensive. |
Relatively inexpensive. |
| Energy Savings |
Lightweight aluminum extrusions
can offer energy savings for transportation vehicles. |
Savings for vehicles, processing,
insulation. |
In certain applications. |
Can offer energy savings in
appropriate transportation applications. |
| Combustibility |
Noncombustible; does not emit
any toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures. |
Combustible; may emit toxic
fumes when exposed to high temperatures. |
Combustible; emits toxic fumes
while burning. |
Combustible. May emit toxic
fumes when exposed to high temperatures. |
 Top
|
Material
Comparison 
