Seamless Extruded 2024 T3 Aluminum Tube
This tube is extruded in 2024 T3 aluminum, a copper bearing alloy that is age hardened and supplied in a tempered condition for parts that must carry load. The seamless wall has no longitudinal weld, so thickness is consistent around the circumference and the bore stays clean for machining, threading or anodizing.
Bending And Welding Services
Tubes can be supplied as straight stock or processed to a drawing. Bending is carried out on mandrel equipment to limit flattening at the bend, and welding is performed on prepared joints, giving a frame that arrives ready for assembly rather than as loose tube.
Cutting And Machining
- Cut to length with square and deburred ends
- Chamfering and facing for welded or threaded joints
- Drilling, slotting and tapping to drawing
- Notching for tube to tube welded frames
Surface Finish
Mill finish is available for parts that will be painted or anodized later, and anodized, powder coated or painted finishes can be applied where appearance and surface protection are required.
Typical Applications
- Aerospace style structural parts and machined fittings
- Bent frames for tents, awnings and display systems
- Machine guards, brackets and stressed inserts
- Sports equipment tubes and shafts
Working From A Drawing
Bent and welded tube frames are made from a dimensioned drawing that shows the developed length, the bend radius and the angle of each corner. Where a weld is required, the drawing should also state whether the joint is to be fully welded or tacked, because this affects how much straightening is needed afterwards.
Tolerances
Cut length, bend angle and hole position are held to the tolerance stated on the drawing. Tighter limits can be discussed for parts that must fit an existing assembly, but they should be agreed before production so that the correct tooling is used.
Straightening And Finishing
After bending and welding, frames are straightened so that the finished part sits flat on the jig, and welded joints are cleaned back where the drawing calls for a neat appearance. Parts can then be anodized, powder coated or painted before packing.
Why Seamless Material
A seamless tube bends and machines more predictably than welded pipe, which suits parts that are loaded repeatedly or turned on a lathe.
Quality Control
Alloy, temper, diameter and wall thickness are checked per lot, and test certificates can be issued on request.
Packing And Delivery
Straight and bent tubes are packed to protect the bends and ends, with shipping dates agreed for each order.
