Material information

Material information for aluminium and plastics

Selecting the right material determines whether a component can be manufactured, assembled and used reliably over the long term. METALXACT offers metal made to measure for industry, trade professionals, mechanical engineering, plant engineering, metal construction and private projects. This material information helps with the initial selection of aluminium alloys and selected plastics for custom metal profiles, sheets and plates made to measure and metal cutting.

Not only the alloy and material number are decisive, but also the product form, dimensions, material thickness, strength, corrosion resistance, weldability, machinability and desired surface. In the METALXACT metal configurator, these requirements can be transferred directly into the ordering process, depending on the product.

For a well-founded initial selection, the intended application of the component should always be considered: indoor or outdoor use, moisture, mechanical loads, visual quality, joining technology and further processing often lead to different material decisions. For aluminium, for example, the optimum alloy for machining may differ from the suitable alloy for welded constructions, anodised surfaces or corrosion-loaded components.

Overview of aluminium alloys

Aluminium is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and versatile. Depending on the alloy, machinability, weldability, anodising suitability, strength and suitability for specific applications differ considerably. The following values are for guidance; the applicable specifications, product forms and project requirements are decisive for the specific application.

The table does not replace a project-specific material assessment, but it makes classification easier: EN AW-2007 primarily stands for very good machinability, EN AW-6060 for profiles and anodising quality, EN AW-6082 for strong technical components and EN AW-5754 and EN AW-5083 for corrosion-loaded applications. The respective categories lead directly to configuration for specific dimensions and available product forms.

Select materials specifically by application

Plastics: POM C, polycarbonate and acrylic glass PMMA

In addition to metal materials, the material overview also includes selected plastics. Machinability, sliding properties, transparency, impact strength, UV behaviour and the specific area of application are relevant when making a selection.

* PLEXIGLAS® is a registered trademark of Röhm GmbH.

For transparent plastics, the required light transmission, impact strength, scratch sensitivity and cleaning method are also relevant. This makes it easier to assess before ordering whether a transparent sheet is primarily intended for use as a privacy screen, cover, safety glazing or functional component.

Difference between acrylic glass and polycarbonate

Acrylic glass, or PMMA, offers high light transmission as well as good weather and ageing resistance. Polycarbonate has significantly higher impact strength and is therefore particularly suitable for impact-loaded transparent components. The right choice depends not only on transparency, but also on the required surface hardness, UV behaviour, installation situation and the specific sheet version.

Decision guide for PMMA and PC

• Acrylic glass (PMMA): suitable for optically clear, weather-resistant applications such as displays, covers, privacy screens and glazing. Typical transparent sheets have higher surface hardness than polycarbonate.
• Polycarbonate (PC): suitable for applications subject to high impact loads, such as safety glazing, machine guards, canopies or transparent outdoor components.
• UV behaviour: UV resistance of the material, UV transmission and UV protection for people or components are different properties. Therefore, always check the technical documentation for the selected sheet, especially for canopies and outdoor applications.

Care and cleaning

• Remove dust and light soiling with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth or sponge; do not rub dry.
• For heavier soiling, only use material-compatible cleaning agents approved by the manufacturer. Abrasive cleaners, abrasive aids and unsuitable solvents can damage the surface or encourage stress cracks.
• Manufacturer approvals for alcohol-based cleaners differ depending on the sheet. Therefore, always follow the care instructions and data sheet for the sheet used.

Cutting and processing

• Depending on sheet thickness and required cut quality, handheld or table circular saws with a sharp blade suitable for plastics are appropriate for straight cuts; for curves and cut-outs, use a jigsaw with adjustable stroke speed and the pendulum action switched off.
• Thin acrylic glass sheets up to approximately 4 mm can alternatively be cut with a scoring knife. For polycarbonate and thicker or more demanding cuts, a saw with a suitable blade is the safe choice.
• Leave the protective film on the sheet whenever possible, secure the material on a clean, level surface, use a guide for straight cuts and test the settings on a sample piece first. High friction and an incorrect feed rate can lead to melting or chipping.
• Professional cutting is recommended for tight tolerances, visible cut edges, complex geometries or large-format sheets.

Note: Depending on availability, comparable qualities from other reputable manufacturers may be supplied.

Product bridge: from material to the suitable product form

Material selection is the first step. The required product form then determines whether a project is implemented with sheet, plate, profile, tube, bar or folded part. METALXACT combines the technical initial selection with the direct commercial entry point for configuration and ordering.

Configure metal online: from material selection to ordering

The METALXACT metal configurator connects material information with the appropriate order. Depending on the product, material, product form, dimensions, material thickness, quantity and available surface options can be selected directly online.

1. Select the material according to the application, corrosion, load and processing route.
2. Determine the product form: sheet, plate, profile, tube, bar or folded part.
3. Define dimensions, material thickness and quantity for the project.
4. Consider bending, cutting or available surface options where required.
5. Order made-to-measure metal parts suitable for procurement, assembly and further processing.

Commercial bridge: material, product selection and further processing

Anyone searching for aluminium alloys, acrylic glass, POM or material information is often already facing a specific procurement decision: a profile is to be used for a frame, a plate is to be cut to size, a sheet is to be bent or a component is to receive a surface finish. This is exactly where METALXACT connects material selection, product form and the appropriate ordering route.

The most important commercial entry points are metal made to measure, metal cutting, the metal configurator, custom metal profiles, sheets and plates made to measure, folded parts and sheet metal bends, powder coatings, metalworking and contract metal manufacturing.