Aluminium extrusions are today
extensively used in the superstructures of ships. Extruded aluminium
profiles have become the numero uno choice of the ship designers who want to
increase the above waterline size of a vessel but bereft of the usual
problems associated with stability. In vessels like hovercraft and other
surface skimming vessels, like fast catamarans, aluminium has given has
weight advantage to enable the marine architects to extract more from the
available power.
Advantages of Aluminium Extrusion
- One of the primary advantages of aluminium extrusion process is that
it can provide complex hollow shapes an essential requirement in
challenging marine applications.
- By making productive use of aluminium extrusion technology, the
amount of welding, can be reduced considerably thus achieving quality
and cost benefits.
- Excellent resistance to Sea water.
Extruded Aluminium Profiles Used in Marine Applications
Some of the common extruded profiles used in the marine applications are
described here:
Pleasure Boats
Aluminium extrusion is a trusted and reputed name in the boat building
industry. Its profiles in the range of structural or decorative application
is a common feature in boats. Large boats ranging from 8-foot long to even
yachts are increasingly opting for extruded aluminum profiles while
selecting structural and trim applications. The versatility of aluminum
extrusion are making this choice to be a perfect match among material,
manufacturing process and product specifications. The popular extruded
profiles used in boat include include trim for windows, doors, hatch covers,
windshields, supports for canvas canopies, spray rails, structural I-Beams,
keels etc. Let's see what are the attributes of aluminium extruded profiles
that are making the boat manufacturers scour for them:
- Light weight
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Good strength
- A variety of shapes
Mechanical Properties Of Aluminium Extrusion
Mechanical properties of AA6082 T6 alloy, very popular in aluminium
extrusion for use in marine applications is described here:
| Extruded AA6082 T6 |
|
|
|
| Thickness range (mm) |
-5 |
5-10 |
10-30 |
| Longitudinal |
|
|
|
| 0.2% Proof stress (Mpa) |
260 |
260 |
260 |
| UTS (Mpa) |
310 |
310 |
310 |
| Elongation A5(%) |
10 |
10 |
10 |
| Transverse with no extrusion weld |
|
|
|
| 0.2% Proof stress (Mpa) |
245 |
245 |
235 |
| UTS (Mpa) |
290 |
290 |
280 |
| Elongation A5(%) |
8 |
8 |
6 |
| Transverse with extrusion weld |
|
|
|
| 0.2% Proof stress (Mpa) |
245 |
245 |
230 |
| UTS (Mpa) |
290 |
290 |
260 |
| Elongation A5(%) |
5 |
8 |
3 |
