The Historical Development of Aluminum Bar Grating
Understand the development of the aluminum bar gratings industry. The advantages of aluminum bar gratings attract more projects to choose aluminum bar gratings.
Table of Contents
Evolution of Aluminum Gratings
The application of aluminum grating has undergone significant transformations over time to meet various industrial and architectural demands.
What are Steel Grating Advantages?
Initially, grating was predominantly made from steel due to its strength, durability, and widespread availability at a competitive cost. Steel grating commonly comes in bare steel form but can also be found with special coatings or hot-dip galvanized as per ASTM A-123 standards to enhance durability and resistance to corrosion.
Emergence of Aluminum Bar Grating
As the need for lighter and more corrosion-resistant materials increased, aluminum bar grating gained popularity. The 6000 series aluminum, particularly the 6061 and 6063 alloys, became the preferred materials due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. The 6061 alloy, known for its primary alloying elements of magnesium and silicon, is widely used in industrial applications.
Innovative Fabrication Process for Aluminum Bar Grating
A major advancement in aluminum bar grating production was the introduction of the swaged process. According to the NAAMM Metal Bar Grating Manual, this method involves mechanically locking the cross bars to the bearing bars at their intersection points through swaging. This process creates a more durable and safer joint, which significantly extends the lifespan of the aluminum grating under typical conditions.
Types of Aluminum Bar Grating
Aluminum bar grating is now available in several varieties, including forged rectangular aluminum grating, forged I-bar aluminum grating, forged flat-top aluminum grating, and dovetail press-lock aluminum grating. These types cater to a wide array of applications, from industrial platforms to architectural designs that require clean, sharp lines. Ongoing advancements in manufacturing processes and material properties have enabled aluminum bar grating to meet various industry standards and application needs, ranging from highly corrosive environments to public spaces.
The First Choice for Projects of Aluminum Bar Gratings
Currently, aluminum bar gratings are increasingly used in offshore projects, cross-sea bridges, landscape platforms and plant facilities, and because of their unique advantages of light weight and corrosion resistance, they have become the first choice for project designers.
Comments
Tags
Frequently Asked Question
Steel was the preferred material due to its strength, durability, and widespread availability at a competitive price. Additionally, steel grating could be coated or hot-dip galvanized per ASTM A-123 standards to enhance its durability and corrosion resistance.
The 6000 series aluminum alloys, especially 6061 and 6063, are favored due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. These alloys, characterized by their magnesium and silicon content, offer optimal performance for various industrial applications.
The swaged process involves mechanically locking the cross bars to the bearing bars at their intersection points by swaging the metal. This method results in a more durable and safer joint, significantly extending the lifespan of aluminum grating under normal conditions.
