7075 Thick Wall Cold Drawn Aluminum Alloy Tube, Anodized Finish, Bending and Welding

Why the wall thickness matters A thicker wall is what separates this aluminum alloy tube from a decorative section. A thick wall aluminum alloy tube carries compression without buckling, takes a thread at the end and survives the knocks of a building site. Where the span is long, the extra metal in the aluminum alloy tube is usually cheaper than adding a second brace, and it saves the welding time that a fabricated box would need. Where fabricators use it Subcontract fabricators buy the aluminum alloy tube for goalposts, cycle stands, bollards, gate frames, marquee legs, pergolas, carport posts, jetty handrails and staging props. In each of these the aluminum alloy tube is anchored at one end and loaded at the other, so the wall, not the diameter, sets the limit. The anodized skin keeps the aluminum alloy tube presentable on jobs where repainting is not an option. Cold drawing and temper The section is cold drawn rather than extruded, which tightens the wall and improves the finish inside and out. Temper runs from T3 to T8 and the grade is 7075, so an aluminum alloy tube can be supplied soft enough to bend or hard enough to hold a thread. Aluminium content is at least 96 percent and hardness is on the hard side. Cutting, bending and welding Bending, decoiling, welding, punching and cutting are all offered before dispatch. A welded aluminum alloy tube should be re-tempered if the joint carries load; where welding is not wanted, a bolted or clamped joint keeps the heat away from the aluminum alloy tube and preserves the anodized finish. Agricultural and garden frames Growers bend the aluminum alloy tube into polytunnel hoops, vineyard trellis posts, orchard espalier frames, hop wires and beekeeping stands, where the metal has to shrug off spray, fertiliser and damp soil. A thick wall suits a permanent hoop that stays in the ground over winter, and offcuts from a longer aluminum alloy tube can be re-used for the cross ties. Sports and playground equipment Trampoline legs, swing frames, basketball posts, netball goalposts, kayak racks and climbing frames are all welded or bolted assemblies. The aluminum alloy tube keeps the frame light enough to move but heavy enough to stay put, and the anodized finish means a scratched post does not turn into a rust streak the way a painted steel leg would. Electrical and energy frames Cable tray, conduit supports, trunking runs, busbar housings and lightning protection masts are built from the same section. On a rooftop array the mounting rail is an aluminum alloy tube drilled and clamped to the frame, and rails that carry a photovoltaic panel or an inverter bracket need the wall thickness this listing supplies, because a thin rail deflects under wind uplift. Buyer questions Q: How do I choose between wall thicknesses? A: Tell us the span and the load; a thin aluminum alloy tube will bend where a thick one holds. Q: Is 7075 used throughout? A: Yes, 7075 is standard for this listing, and other grades can be discussed. Q: What lengths are available? A: Length is made to order, so the aluminum alloy tube is cut to the size on your schedule. Q: Is the bore finished? A: Anodizing reaches the bore on an open section, but the bore is not polished. Ordering and delivery Send the section list, the quantity in kilograms and the port you ship to. We reply with a quotation for the aluminum alloy tube you need and a production window, and a consignment can be split when part of the aluminum alloy tube is wanted earlier than the rest.