Characteristics of Aluminium Tubes

Physical Properties

1. Light Weight
   • Aluminium has a relatively low density, approximately 2.7g/cm³, which is about one - third of the density of iron (7.87g/cm³). This makes aluminium tubes much lighter than other metal tubes such as steel tubes of the same volume. For example, in the construction field, when used to build scaffolding, aluminium tubes are more convenient for workers to carry and install, reducing labor intensity.
2. Good Thermal Conductivity
   • Aluminium has a high thermal conductivity, about 237W/(m·K), second only to silver, copper, and gold. This good thermal conductivity enables aluminium tubes to transfer heat quickly. In industrial heat exchangers, aluminium tubes can effectively transfer the heat of one fluid to another, thus realizing the purpose of heat exchange. For example, in a car radiator, the coolant flows through the aluminium tubes, and the heat can be quickly dissipated into the surrounding air to ensure the normal operating temperature of the engine.
   • 3 Excellent Electrical Conductivity
   • Aluminium has good electrical conductivity, and its electrical conductivity is about 37.7×10⁶S/m. In some occasions where electrical conductivity is required, such as the wiring ducts of electrical equipment, aluminium tubes can be used as the protective sleeves of wires and cables and can also play a role in electromagnetic shielding to a certain extent. 

   • Chemical Properties

     
     
     1. Good Corrosion Resistance
        • Aluminium reacts rapidly with oxygen in the air to form a dense alumina (Al₂O₃) film on its surface. This film can prevent oxygen and other corrosive media from further reacting with the aluminium matrix, thus protecting the inside of the aluminium tube from corrosion. For example, some outdoor architectural decorative aluminium tubes, such as railings and handrails, can maintain their appearance unchanged in the atmospheric environment for a long time and resist the erosion of natural factors such as rain and sunlight. However, in some strongly acidic or strongly alkaline environments, this oxide film may be damaged, resulting in the corrosion of the aluminium tube.
     2. Reaction Characteristics with Certain Chemical Substances
        • Aluminium can react with some chemical substances. For example, in an environment containing chloride ions, if the chloride ion concentration is high, the aluminium tube may suffer from pitting corrosion. But at the same time, the aluminium tube can also play a special role in some chemical treatment processes. For example, in the production of certain reaction vessels in the chemical industry, the reaction characteristics of aluminium with specific reactants are used to participate in the chemical reaction process.
      

     Mechanical Properties

     
     
     1. Strength Characteristics
        • The strength of pure aluminium tubes is relatively low, but through alloying (such as adding elements such as magnesium, silicon, copper), its strength can be significantly improved. For example, the tensile strength of 6061 - alloy aluminium tubes can reach about 310MPa. This strength is sufficient to meet the requirements of many structural applications. For example, in the manufacture of bicycle frames, the use of 6061 - alloy aluminium tubes can provide sufficient strength to support the weight of the rider and withstand various stresses during cycling.
     2. Good Machinability
        • Aluminium tubes have good machinability and can be made into various shapes and sizes by a variety of processing methods such as extrusion, rolling, and bending. For example, in the manufacture of automobile parts, aluminium tubes can be easily bent into complex shapes to adapt to the interior space of the car and the installation requirements of various parts. At the same time, aluminium tubes can also be cut, welded, and other processing operations, which facilitates their application in actual production.

II. Applications

Applications of Aluminium Tubes

Construction Industry

1. Building Structures
   • In some light - weight building structures, such as temporary exhibition halls and mobile panel houses, aluminium tubes can be used as frame - structure materials. Their light - weight characteristics are convenient for construction and installation and can provide sufficient structural strength. At the same time, aluminium tubes can also be used for the exterior - wall decoration of buildings, such as making curtain walls and decorative strips of aluminium - tube shapes, adding a modern and aesthetic feeling to the building.
2. Interior Decoration
   • Aluminium tubes can be used to make indoor railings and handrails. For example, the stair handrails in shopping malls and office buildings use aluminium tubes, which are not only beautiful and durable but also easy to clean and maintain. Aluminium tubes can also be made into various - shaped clothes - drying racks and curtain rods and other indoor supplies to meet different decorative and functional requirements.

   • Industrial Field

     
     
     1. Piping Systems
        • In industries such as chemical and petroleum, aluminium tubes can be used to transport some less - corrosive fluids. For example, in the food and beverage industry, aluminium tubes can be used to transport fruit juices, milk, and other liquids because aluminium tubes do not contaminate food, and their corrosion resistance can ensure the service life of the pipes. At the same time, in some industrial piping systems with high - temperature - control requirements, the good thermal conductivity of aluminium tubes can be used for heat - exchange processes.
     2. Mechanical Manufacturing
        • Aluminium tubes are used as raw materials for parts in mechanical manufacturing, such as making fuel pipes and air - conditioning pipes of automobiles. In the aerospace field, some light - weight structural parts and piping systems also use aluminium tubes because their light - weight characteristics help to reduce the weight of the aircraft and improve fuel efficiency.