Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture is great for its low density and for its ability to resist corrosion. Aluminum is a relatively soft, durable, lightweight, and malleable metal. It is also non-magnetic.
Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture
Cast aluminum is created when methods such as mold casting, or sand casting are used to temper the aluminum for use in creating components for many different types of products.
Mold casting is a process in which various metals can be cast from molten states into a mold. These molds are called “dies. The die is filled with typically non-ferrous metals, such as zinc and aluminum. It is filled in a high-pressure application that ensures that the density of the die-cast material is at the desired level.
These are the first steps into making cast aluminum patio furniture.
The metal is injected into a specific cavity or mold that has been created. This is then machined to create two opposing steel dies. After the cooling process is completed, the casting is then removed from the mold. It is next burred or buffed to create a product that has been manufactured to exact specifications.
Due to the increased initial cost for the die casting equipment and the facilitation of a die casting operation, most of the industrial environments that have these types of productions take place do so on a large or heavy production scale.
Sand Casting to make Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture
Sand casting is a process of using sand as the primary material to mold various metallic products. This molding method is very efficient because sand is a refractory material, which means it can withstand very high temperatures. It is also a very economical process, as it requires less cost and technology.
The first step in the process of sand casting is to prepare the molding container. The container can be made of metal, in which an embossed pattern is placed. The sand is then poured over the pattern. Other elements such as water and clay are usually added to make the sand more compact and solid. The sand is then dried to produce a cast. As the mixture is poured in the container, it is frequently compressed to avoid holes. Sometimes, the container is even vibrated to make a smooth and even casting.
Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture Qualities
Good quality aluminum used for castings typically consists between 85% to 90% aluminum and less than 2% in trace metals, like iron, zinc, and copper.
If the iron content is over 0.75%, the castings become more brittle and susceptible to breakages. The copper content is critical to corrosion resistance, which affects the durability and longevity of the finish.
Tubular Cast Aluminum Patio Furnture
Tubular aluminum is made from extruded tubing that is formed when molten metal is forced through a die which shapes it into a hollow tube. The metal is then cut, after which it is welded to make the furniture. Afterward the extrusion is stretched in order to straighten it. The end result is a durable, clean surfaced and long lasting material.
If better properties are required then it may be hot extruded or cold extruded.
Hot extrusion is a hot working process, which means it is done above the materials re-crystallization temperature to keep the material from work hardening and to make it easier to push the material through the die.
Cold extrusion is done near room temperature. The advantages of this over hot extrusion are the lack of oxidation, higher strength due to cold working, closer tolerances, and a good surface finish.
To see a wide variety of cast aluminum patio furniture, stop by here at Sun Country!