Aluminium – a futureproof metal?
We believe aluminium is the metal of the future! Its wide range of properties and scope for customisation and processing are what make this material so fascinating and attractive. The silvery surface and light weight are just two important factors; others include durability, climate efficiency, sustainability and versatility.
Properties of aluminium
Aluminium comes with many superior properties, not only compared to other metals. Its formability, low weight and strength make it the perfect material in all respects. And for whatever purpose. An aluminium alloy with the right properties is available for almost every challenge. Here you can find a brief overview of how STEP-G aluminium is used in a wide range of applications – always with a focus on customer-specific requirements.
Light weight
Aluminium has a three times lower density than steel, which therefore weights three times less. This makes it ideal to save weight while retaining the same or similar mechanical properties substituting aluminium for heavier materials.
Processing capability & formability
Aluminium comes with excellent capabilities for forming and processing. This offers a vast scope for products ranging from simple standard profiles to highly complex special solutions. From casting to extrusion to further processing, almost anything is possible. Find our more from our experts.
Strength
Mechanically, aluminium alloys are just as resilient as structural steel. The advantage is that you achieve the same mechanical characteristics at a much lighter weight. By adding alloying elements such as copper, magnesium, manganese, nickel or zinc, we can tailor the material properties to customer specifications. Find out here about our variety of alloys.
Aluminium alloys also withstand extreme temperatures or temperature fluctuations without becoming brittle. Therefore, aluminium can even be used in extremely low or high temperature environments.
Corrosion resistance
Aluminium does not rust. Like every metal, aluminium forms a natural oxide layer when it comes into contact with air. This makes aluminium alloys naturally corrosion resistant. This resistance can be boosted with various types of surface finishes. Find out more here about our surface finishes.
Recyclability
Aluminium can be recycled any number of times in all its forms, whether old or new scrap, profiles or billets. The benefits of recycling are high energy savings and eco-friendliness. One of our top priorities at STEP-G is a minimal ecological footprint. That’s why we actively participate in the recycling of our aluminium scrap. Find out more about our casting and our green corporate philosophy with a focus on sustainability and environmental protection.
Cost-effectiveness
Aluminium is more cost-effective than similar metals such as steel in terms of the overall economic cycle. The benefits of the reduction in weight achieved with aluminium alloys is especially evident in the transport sector. The lightweight metal stands out as the most sustainable solution over the entire value creation chain for various applications.
Flexibility in all respects
Aluminium offers superior flexibility: from casting to extrusion to mechanical processing and surface finishing. The material is so flexible that it can be shaped into almost any form and used in any application field.
500°C
During the manufacturing of extruded bars and casting alloys, STEP-G adjusts the alloy properties with additional alloy constituents to meet customer requirements. Our aluminium bar extrusion process also observes precise tolerances specified by our customers. Extruded aluminium profiles are produced by pressing a billet over a shaped tool. The aluminium bar is heated to approx. 500°C, then pressed through a die to achieve the required profile form. Next, the aluminium profiles go into a furnace for heat treatment, which gives them the material properties specified by the customer.
Processing
Subsequently, extensive options for mechanical processing are available: forming, punching, milling, sawing, groove cutting and many more. STEP-G offers customers all of these processing steps so they can rely on the right method for their requirements and applications. Also available are surface finishing such as cathodic dip coating, anodising and powder coating. Our priorities here are always precision and top quality standards. These are regularly examined and validated by the extensive certifications awarded to the individual STEP-G locations.
Processing and surface finishing
Depending on your specifications, STEP-G supplies billets, standard profiles, drawn round rods and highly complex hollow-chamber profiles for the automotive or rail vehicle industries and other application fields, complete with processing and surface finishing. Whatever your requirements, we provide the best possible service based on our many years of experience and expertise plus our comprehensive manufacturing and processing capabilities. Our experts will be happy to advise you personally. Alternatively, feel free to use our contact form.
