Choosing the Right Aluminium Tooling Plate (Ultimate Guide)

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Aluminium tooling plate is a highly useful material for many construction projects, particularly due to its stability, easy machinability and high strength-to-weight ratio.

When it comes to choosing the best aluminium tooling plate for the job, there are a few factors to consider in making sure you find the most suitable option.

Here, we'll discuss the different styles of aluminium tooling plate available, giving you a better idea of which to choose for your next project.

What's the Difference Between Aluminium Plate and Aluminium Tooling Plate?

Although somewhat similar in appearance, aluminium plate and aluminium tooling plate are different aluminium products. Aluminium plate is made through rolling, while tooling plate undergoes other specialised treatments for enhanced flatness and dimensional stability.

Tooling plate provides particularly good stability when machined, even if it is being machined across large areas. Amongst other things, it is ideal for moulds and casts. One other factor that sets aluminium tooling plate apart is that both surfaces are protected with a layer of PVC, preventing damage during cutting and transportation.

How to Choose the Right Aluminium Tooling Plate

Aluminium tooling plate is available in a range of alloys and thicknesses, these are two of the most important things to be aware of when choosing the right aluminium tooling plate for the job in hand.

Alloy Selection

There are various grades available when it comes to aluminium tooling plate. These are represented in 'series' and represented by numbers (e.g., alloy is part of the series). Each series is mixed with a different alloy.

Here are the characteristics of some of the most popular alloy series:

Series

Aluminium in the series is alloyed with magnesium. This makes it highly corrosion resistant, even when exposed to saltwater.

series alloys are commonly used in the construction of transportation vehicles, such as automotive parts, truck bodies, and trailers. They are also utilised in architectural applications, consumer electronics, and general sheet metal work where corrosion resistance is required.

One important thing to know about series alloys is that they are not heat treatable. Heat treatability refers to the ability of an alloy to be strengthened through heat treatment processes such as solution heat treatment and ageing.

This is the alloy series that we stock for our aluminium tooling plate at Click Metal.

Series

The series alloys are primarily composed of aluminium with additional elements, such as magnesium and silicon.

These alloys don't have as much corrosion resistance as series alloys but they offer a good balance of strength and formability, making them versatile for various applications. Some alloys in this series are heat treatable.

Alloys in the series are often used in structural components, the automobile industry and the aerospace industry.

Series

The series alloys are primarily composed of aluminium with zinc as the primary alloying element. Copper is often added as a secondary alloying element to further enhance the strength and other properties.

series alloys are known for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. They exhibit high strength, which is comparable to many steels. The strength of these alloys can be further enhanced through heat treatment processes.

The series aluminium alloys find application in various industries where high strength, durability, and lightweight properties are required. They are commonly used in the aerospace industry, sporting goods manufacturing and high-stress applications like high-performance automobiles, marine structures, and defence equipment.

Find out more by reading our Guide to Aluminium Grades.

Thickness Considerations

Aluminium tooling plate is available in a range of thicknesses. At Click Metal, we offer thicknesses ranging from 5 &#; 150 mm.

The decision to choose thicker or thinner aluminium tooling plate depends on various factors. Thicker plate options provide greater strength and load-bearing capacity, making them suitable for applications requiring structural integrity and the ability to withstand heavy loads.

Thicker plates also offer better stability during machining and fabrication processes. However, they are heavier and more expensive.

On the other hand, thinner plate options offer weight savings, making them advantageous for applications where weight is a critical consideration, such as in aerospace or automotive industries. Thinner plates are also more cost-effective.

Additionally, the thermal conductivity and heat dissipation properties of thicker plates may be beneficial for applications involving heat transfer.

Surface Finishes and Treatments

When buying aluminium tooling plate you can also choose from a range of surface finishes and treatments to achieve different aesthetic or structural benefits. Some of the most popular include:

Painted Finishes

A painted finish on aluminium involves the application of a coating of paint or liquid finish to the surface of the aluminium. This finish provides both an aesthetic appearance and protection against corrosion, weathering, and wear. The paint can be applied in various colours and finishes to achieve the desired look and performance.

Powder Coating

A powder coated finish on aluminium involves applying a dry powder coating to the surface, which is then cured under heat to form a durable and decorative finish. This finish offers a wide range of colours, textures, and finishes, providing both aesthetic appeal and enhanced protection against corrosion, UV rays, and abrasion.

Anodised Finish

An anodised finish is created through an electrochemical process that forms a protective oxide layer on the surface. This finish enhances corrosion resistance, improves surface hardness, and can provide a decorative appearance. Anodising can be performed in various colours, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits to the aluminium surface.

Custom cut aluminium tooling plate

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of aluminium tooling plate to help you feel more informed when planning your next project.

Our aluminium tooling plate is available cut to size, based on the specifications of your project, with all orders despatched within 3 &#; 5 working days.

If you have any further questions, or there's anything else you'd like to know, don't hesitate to get in touch with us by on or by filling out our contact form.

You&#;ve likely seen anodized aluminum products in your daily life. Anodizing is an easy way to add corrosion protection and a splash of color to aluminum. You&#;ll find this finish on sports equipment, automotive parts, handheld devices, and a wide range of other products.

If you&#;re wondering whether anodizing is the best way to finish your aluminum products or would like to know more about the process and its benefits, this article is for you.

Here we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about anodizing aluminum to help you decide if this process is the right choice for your products.

1) What is Anodized Aluminum?

Exposing metals to certain environments such as air and humidity creates a metal-oxide layer on the exposed surface. In most cases, the oxide layer is passive, which means it no longer reacts with the environment the way the pure metal does. The rust that forms on iron when it&#;s left unprotected is one example of this.

Like iron and other metals, aluminum naturally forms a layer of oxide when in contact with air or moisture. Unlike iron, however, the layer of oxide formed is not flaky or overly porous, and it serves as a shield preventing any further oxidation of the aluminum.

In other words, aluminum creates its own thin barrier against corrosion by slightly corroding itself. This is similar to how human skin tans to protect itself from further damage caused by sun rays or other ultraviolet light.

When you anodize aluminum, it goes through a process that thickens this naturally-occurring protective layer of oxide. Anodizing enhances the properties offered by the oxide layer, and these properties are addressed one-by-one in the following sections.

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2) How Does the Anodizing Process Work?

Contrary to intuition, the process of anodizing doesn&#;t require technicians to apply a product to the aluminum surface. As explained before, this process takes advantage of a reaction that occurs naturally on aluminum when in contact with certain elements and takes it up a notch.

Once the aluminum has gone through a forming process &#; extrusion, for example &#; the resulting aluminum part is submerged in an electrolytic bath. While immersed in the liquid, a high-amperage, low-voltage electrical current is applied to the bath. The oxidation chemical reaction occurs as the current flows through the aluminum, forming an oxide layer thicker than the naturally occurring one.

3) Does Anodizing Increase Resistance to Wear?

Yes, anodizing does improve wear resistance. The oxide layer that forms in the aluminum surface has ceramic properties, one of which is a heightened resistance to wear compared to the aluminum on its own. Anodized aluminum is better than untreated aluminum at resisting nicks and scratches, providing a more durable finish.

4) Does Anodizing Increase Corrosion Resistance?

Yes, it does. Like the naturally occurring oxide passive film, the thick layer of oxide obtained by the anodizing process also improves corrosion resistance. The passive film is largely chemically inert and does not break down or corrode in the environment.

As a result, the anodized layer protects the underlying aluminum from corrosion. Anodized aluminum has a thicker passive layer than naturally passivated aluminum, meaning it is more resistant to degradation and subsequent corrosion.

5) How Do You Dye Anodized Aluminum Parts?

Another benefit of anodizing aluminum is that the metal&#;s surface becomes porous. Micropores make the anodized aluminum perfect for dye application &#; they act as wells where the dye can collect.

Once the dyes are applied, the pores can be sealed, resulting in the color being embedded in the oxide layer. Because the dye is now part of this passive layer, it will not fade or peel away, providing a durable, long-lasting, and elegant finish.

6) Does Anodizing Improve the Adhesion of Primers and Glues?

Yes, for the same reason that anodized aluminum is excellent for dyeing. The porous surface of anodized aluminum means the glue or primer has an increased contact surface and better spots to &#;grab on.&#; The pores allow the glue or primer to partially embed into the surface, resulting in an even layer of glue or primer with great adhesion that is less likely to spall off.

7) Does Anodizing Improve Heat Dissipation?

Yes, it does. If an item is hotter than its surroundings, it will start to cool off. The greater the surface area of a hot item, the quicker it will dissipate its heat. Anodized aluminum has a higher surface area than unfinished aluminum and, therefore, it is more effective at releasing its heat.

This improved thermal conductivity, or heat dissipation, results from improved convective heat transfer and enhanced emissivity. Convective heat transfer, which is heat transfer between a surface and the surrounding air, is primarily impacted by design and somewhat by anodizing.

Radiative heat transfer, also called emissivity, occurs between two surfaces and is dramatically improved by anodizing. This property makes anodized aluminum perfect for small heat sinks, as described by our article about anodized aluminum heatsinks here.

8) Does Anodizing Affect the Strength of the Aluminum?

No, it does not. The aluminum product&#;s strength will not be affected, either positively or negatively, by anodizing it. The process of anodizing affects only a very small layer on the aluminum surface, on the scale of micrometers.

Since the bulk of the aluminum part remains unchanged, the product retains the properties obtained by the forming and treatment applied before anodizing it.

9) Does Anodized Aluminum Have High Electrical Conductivity?

No, it does not. Aluminum is highly conductive by itself; however, the oxide layer has physical and chemical properties resembling a ceramic. One of the principal characteristics of ceramics is electrical insulation.

An anodized aluminum piece is still capable of limited electrical conductivity through contact, as the oxide layer is very thin, but the conductivity is significantly lower relative to untreated aluminum. While there are workarounds, you may want to consider a different finishing treatment for your aluminum products if electrical conductivity is an essential aspect of the item&#;s design.

10) What&#;s the Difference Between Type II and Type III Anodizing?

The anodizing process requires the proper selection of many variables: bath type, temperature, voltage, amperage, etc. Because of this, certain specifications are necessary to ensure the desired outcome is achieved consistently.

The most common way to specify different types of anodizing is by the military specification for anodic coatings for aluminum and aluminum alloys MIL-A-. In broad terms, this document separates the types of anodizing into Type I, II, and III.

Type I anodizing, the oldest known method, is performed in a bath of chromic acid. Type II and III are done in sulphuric acid.

The difference between Type II and III is the thickness of the resulting oxide layer. Type II anodizing, being the most commonly applied, has a layer with a thickness ranging between 1.8 to 25 micrometers. Type III anodizing, also known as hard anodizing and used where increased wear and corrosion resistance is desired, consists of oxide layers thicker than 25 micrometers.

Should You Anodize Your Aluminum Extrusions?

Choosing whether or not to anodize your aluminum extrusions depends on the intended applications for the products. As this article has highlighted, there are both benefits and drawbacks to anodizing.

Suppose your main concerns are corrosion resistance and a very nice, metallic look, or you&#;re looking to improve emissivity or adherence of primers or glue. In that case, anodizing could be ideal for finishing your extruded products.

However, anodizing might not be the best option if electrical conductivity is essential or if further forming processes are to be performed on the piece. These might cause the oxide layer to crack. Anodizing also slightly increases the dimensions of the piece. Therefore it is not recommended if you are working with very tight size tolerances.

If you are looking for alternatives to anodizing, you might consider using powder coating as a way to finish your aluminum items, giving them a bright colored finish. If a matte finish works for your application, and you need more extended durability and protection against UV fading, you might consider PVDF coating your aluminum products.

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