Aluminum and aluminum based alloy bars are useful in various industries such as electronics, telecommunication, automotive, aerospace and construction industries.

As aluminum is a good conductor of electricity, most of the electronics and telecommunication component manufacturers use high aluminum alloy bars for manufacturing superconductors, wires and cables.

Due to high strength to weight ratio and high thermal conductivity, aluminum based alloy bars are useful in manufacturing of aircrafts, space vehicles, high speed trains, precision measuring instruments and refrigeration components. As aluminum is a corrosion resistant metal, manufacturers also use aluminum bar for manufacturing bathroom products such as door handles, satin aluminum bars, aluminum towel bars and window/door frames.

Some important parameters you must consider before buying aluminum bars and aluminum based alloy bars are:

1. Application of the aluminum bar
2. Physical properties of the aluminum bar: cross section shape and dimensions
3. Composition and metallurgical properties of aluminum bars
4. Required quantity of aluminum bars

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy aluminum bars from reputable aluminum bar manufacturers

Once you understand your requirements, check out different aluminum and alloy bars available in the market.

I recommend: Aleris International, is a reputable manufacturer of aluminum bars. Karay Metals is another reputable manufacturer of aluminum bars and aluminum based alloy bars. Watteredge Metals supplies aluminum and alloy bars for manufacturers of electrical wires and cables. If you want to buy an aluminum towel bar, check out the products offered by Johnson Bros. and Architectural Builders Supply.

Buy aluminum bars from reputable suppliers and distributors

You can compare different aluminum bars based on the features and prices at distributors' or retailers' websites. You can also ask for a discount if you are buying in bulk.

I recommend: Aviation Metals is a distributor of aluminum bar that also supplies aluminum based alloy bars for the aerospace industry. Wagner Companies is another reputable distributor of aluminum bars and pipes with a variety of sizes and shapes. If you want to buy an aluminum bar grate, check out the products offered by Direct Metals Company.

Buy specialty aluminum bars from custom manufacturers

You can ask the aluminum bar manufacturers to supply aluminum bars as per your application requirements. Ensure that you perform a cost-value analysis as a customized aluminum bar price is higher than the normal prices of aluminum bars.

I recommend: Kaiser Aluminum is a reputable custom manufacturer of aluminum and alloy bar products, specially tailored for the aerospace and related applications. Southern Tool Steel is a reputable aluminum bar manufacturer that manufactures aluminum based alloy bars for the tooling industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any aluminum bar or aluminum based alloy bar must meet the compositional standards of the Unified Numbering System (UNS), a joint specification from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
• •  For buying customized aluminum and alloy bar, consult an expert, as the properties of aluminum bars vary in their composition.