Grooved Aluminum Lean Tubes for Modular Frameworks

1. Aluminum Alloy 6061

   • Characteristics:
     • Excellent mechanical properties
     • Good corrosion resistance
     • Medium to high strength
     • Weldable
   • Benefits: Versatile and widely used in structural applications, offering good fatigue resistance and ease of fabrication.

2. Aluminum Alloy 6063

   • Characteristics:
     • Good corrosion resistance
     • Excellent extrudability and finishing
     • Lower strength compared to 6061
   • Benefits: Ideal for architectural applications and situations requiring aesthetic appeal, such as window frames and custom shapes.

3. Aluminum Alloy 6082

   • Characteristics:
     • High strength and good corrosion resistance
     • Good weldability
     • Excellent machinability
   • Benefits: Suitable for heavy-duty applications, including structural components in buildings and bridges.

4. Aluminum Alloy 5052

   • Characteristics:
     • Good corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments
     • Excellent workability and weldability
     • Moderate strength
   • Benefits: Commonly used in applications where the material may be exposed to harsh conditions, such as fuel tanks and pressure vessels.

5. Aluminum Alloy 5005

   • Characteristics:
     • Good corrosion resistance
     • Excellent anodizing properties
     • Moderate strength
   • Benefits: Often used for decorative applications and architectural features due to its surface finishing capabilities.

6. Aluminum Alloy 2024

   • Characteristics:
     • High strength-to-weight ratio
     • Good fatigue resistance
     • Less corrosion resistant compared to other alloys
   • Benefits: Frequently used in aerospace applications and other high-stress environments, where strength is critical.

7. Aluminum Alloy 7075

   • Characteristics:
     • Very high strength
     • Lower corrosion resistance
     • Heat-treatable
   • Benefits: Ideal for aerospace and military applications, where maximum strength is required.

The heat treatment of aluminum extrusions determines their mechanical properties, strength, and suitability for specific applications. Among the various heat treatment methods, T5, T6, and T66 are the most commonly used. Here’s an in-depth look:

Other Heat Treatment States 

• T4: Solution heat-treated and naturally aged. Used in applications requiring intermediate strength and enhanced formability.
• T7: Overaged for better stress-corrosion resistance, often used for aerospace and marine purposes.
• O (Annealed): Very soft condition suitable for extensive forming or bending requirements.
• F (As-Fabricated): No heat treatment applied, used in non-critical applications with low strength requirements.

1. Anodizing

   • Description: Anodizing is an electrochemical process that thickens the natural oxide layer on aluminum surfaces.
   • Benefits:
     • Enhances corrosion resistance.
     • Improves surface hardness and abrasion resistance.
     • Can be dyed in various colors for aesthetic purposes.
     • Environmentally friendly, as it does not require toxic chemicals.

2. Powder Coating

   • Description: A process where a dry powder is applied to the aluminum surface and then cured under heat to form a durable finish.
   • Benefits:
     • Provides a thick, protective layer resistant to chipping, scratching, and fading.
     • Available in a wide range of colors and textures.
     • Offers excellent UV resistance and is suitable for outdoor applications.

3. Sandblasting

   • Description: A mechanical process that involves blasting the surface with abrasive material to create a textured finish.
   • Benefits:
     • Prepares the surface for better adhesion of paints or coatings.
     • Can improve the aesthetic appearance for certain applications.
     • Provides a uniform, matte finish that reduces glare.

We provide a wide range of machining services for aluminum extrusions to meet specific requirements. These include cutting off/section removal, slotting, drilling holes, tapping threads, bending, and localized stamping to create deformations. For example, we can trim extruded profiles to custom lengths, mill precise grooves, create threaded holes for fasteners, bend profiles into specific shapes, or apply localized stamping to achieve custom forms or deformation.

In addition to these processes, we also offer TIG/MIG welding to join aluminum components for a solid structure. Furthermore, our services include assembly of common accessories, such as brackets, corner connectors, screws, hinges, end caps, and rubber seals, providing complete and ready-to-install profile solutions tailored to your project needs. This ensures that we can handle everything from simple cuts to highly customized fabrication and assembly, all with precision and efficiency.

For custom aluminum extrusion projects, we accept a variety of drawing formats, including CAD files, STEP files, and PDF files. However, for extrusions that require additional machining processes, it’s recommended to provide STEP files, as they ensure precise 3D modeling for machining accuracy.

While PDF files are acceptable, converting them into CAD drawings may result in the loss of certain details, requiring us to manually redraw the design, which could increase lead time. For the fastest and most accurate quotation, we recommend providing CAD files (e.g., DWG/DXF) and STEP files to ensure efficient design evaluation and pricing.

There are distinct differences between aluminum lean tubes and steel tubes regarding material, production methods, costs, and applications.

1. Material and Production:

Aluminum Lean Tubes: Crafted from aluminum alloys and undergo processes such as sandblasting and anodizing to enhance corrosion resistance and longevity. They feature a sleek, smooth finish.

Steel Tubes: Made from various steel types, including carbon and alloy steels, these can be produced as either seamless or welded. Generally, they have rougher surfaces and are more susceptible to corrosion compared to aluminum lean tubes.

2. Cost:

Aluminum Lean Tubes: Manufactured on automated production lines, helping to keep costs down. They are also reusable, further reducing expenses, particularly in large-scale production.

Steel Tubes: Often more costly to produce, especially the seamless varieties and those made from specialized materials.

3. Uses:

Aluminum Lean Tubes: Widely utilized in sectors such as home appliances, communications, automotive, and machinery manufacturing. Their lightweight and eco-friendly characteristics make them a preferred choice in modern construction over traditional steel tubes.

Steel Tubes: Commonly applied in diverse fields, including transport pipelines, construction, thermal equipment, and petrochemical industries. While they have broad usage, they may not always be ideal for applications requiring lightweight and efficient materials.

1. Multi-Material Structure

Typically composed of aluminum alloys and high-performance polymers, these tubes combine the strength of metal with the lightweight nature of plastics.

They provide enhanced impact resistance and improved bending strength to meet various application needs.

2. Modular Design

Fully compatible with a range of connectors, fasteners, and fittings, allowing for flexible framework assembly.

Ideal for quick setup and easy disassembly, enabling on-the-fly adjustments.

3. Lightweight Advantage

Lighter than conventional metal lean tubes, facilitating easier transportation, handling, and installation.

Significantly lowers the overall weight of structures, enhancing operational efficiency.

4. Corrosion Resistance & Environmental Friendliness

Rust-resistant and highly durable, making them suitable for challenging or humid conditions.

Fully recyclable, promoting sustainable manufacturing practices.

5. High Load-Bearing Capacity

Despite their lightweight nature, they can support substantial loads, meeting the requirements of demanding operations.

6. Aesthetic & Versatile Design

Features a smooth surface with customizable colors and finishes (e.g., anodized, powder-coated).

Enhances the professional look of factories, workshops, and warehouses.

Mold fees are an essential part of the custom aluminum extrusion process. Since every order requires a uniquely designed mold tailored to specific requirements, these molds cannot be used for other products. Therefore, the mold fee is necessary and non-negotiable.

We require 100% upfront payment of the mold fee before mold development begins to ensure timely production. However, as a token of appreciation for your support, we offer a refund of the mold fee or equivalent discounts once the order reaches a certain production volume. Specific policies can be discussed based on your order volume and collaboration details.

We have a large stock of lean tubes available and do not have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirement. You can order any quantity you need, as long as you are willing to cover the shipping costs from China. For specific details, please contact our sales team.

For custom production, minimum order quantity (MOQ) varies depending on the size of the product. For smaller-sized products, the MOQ is typically 500kg, while for larger-sized products, it is 2 tons.

We will specify the exact MOQ requirements during the quotation process. If your order quantity does not meet the MOQ, we can still arrange production, but an additional fee will be applied to cover mold preheating and production setup time. Rest assured, this extra fee will be reasonable, and we aim to keep it as minimal as possible to ensure smooth cooperation.

Our lean tubes are typically packaged in lengths of 4 meters per pipe, with 10 pipes per bundle. However, we also offer custom packaging options to meet specific customer requirements. If you have particular preferences regarding length or quantity, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

When purchasing from our stock, there is no waiting period, and we can ship within 7 days of payment. Mold production typically takes 7 days. After the sample is confirmed, producing a full container load of 26 tons generally requires 14 days for extrusion alone. If surface treatment is required, an additional 3 days will be needed. For machining, extra time will be required depending on the complexity and volume of the machining work. The exact additional time for machining will be determined based on the specific processing requirements.

Aluminum profiles are naturally corrosion-resistant due to the formation of a thin, protective oxide layer when exposed to air or water. This oxide layer is stable and self-repairing, meaning that even if the surface is scratched or cut (such as at exposed ends or during processing), the aluminum will not rust or corrode like iron or steel. Instead, the exposed areas will quickly form a new oxide layer, providing continuous protection against further oxidation.

With proper design, installation, and maintenance, aluminum profiles can last for decades, even in challenging environments. For example, untreated aluminum can easily withstand 20-30 years in outdoor applications, while profiles with surface treatments like anodizing or powder coating can last even longer, often exceeding 50 years. This makes aluminum an excellent choice for applications where durability and long-term performance are essential.

The price of aluminum profiles consists of several components: raw material costs, extrusion processing fees, surface treatment fees, machining costs, and additional packaging fees. Among these, the cost of aluminum as a raw material tends to fluctuate frequently, while other fees remain relatively stable. Due to these fluctuations, our quotations are typically valid for 7 days.

Pricing can be structured in different ways depending on the product and requirements. It can be calculated by weight (e.g., cost per ton), by length (e.g., cost per meter), or by piece (e.g., cost per unit). For products involving extensive machining, such as heat sinks, pricing is generally calculated on a per-piece basis to accurately reflect the additional processing costs. This flexible pricing approach ensures the quote is tailored to the specific needs of the customer.

We can manufacture aluminum profiles in compliance with technical requirements that meet European standards (EN), American standards (ASTM/AA), or other standards as specified by the customer. Custom production is tailored to ensure that the profiles meet the specific standard requirements requested.

Our production equipment is designed for the metric system. If the drawings provided are in the imperial system, we will convert them into metric units for production to ensure accuracy.

It is important to note that while we can machine imperial-threaded holes for fasteners, if you require us to supply matching imperial fasteners, they may not always be available in stock. Custom orders for imperial fasteners typically require a large volume for production. Please consider this when planning your project.