Aluminized Steel Sheets Applications

Aluminized Steel Sheets

Applications
Aluminized steel sheets are extensively used across various industries due to their durability and heat resistance. In the automotive sector, they are used for heat-resistant components such as exhaust pipes, mufflers, and body parts. In the furnace industry, they are utilized for heat exchangers, furnace reflectors, oil tanks, ovens, incinerators, chimneys, and dryers. They are also employed in refrigerated containers, specialized oil tanks, item tanks, and plumbing equipment. In construction, aluminum-coated steel sheets are used for roofs, window frames, wall panels, outdoor facilities, cabinets, household appliances, lamps, billboards, and open-air structures.

Specifications
These sheets are produced worldwide in thicknesses ranging from 0.27 to 2 mm, widths between 558 to 1219 mm, and lengths up to 4 meters. The coating thickness can be up to 120 g/m².

History and Production Process
Aluminized steel sheets were first developed by the American Armco Company over 40 years ago, making their history relatively recent compared to other coated steel sheets. The production process uses hot-dip plating, similar to hot-dip galvanizing, but with key differences. The aluminum melting tank requires a temperature of about 700℃, compared to 450℃ for zinc. The introduction of ceramic aluminum melting tanks has accelerated the production of hot-dip aluminum-plated steel strips.

There are two types of units for aluminum coating: special aluminum plating and aluminum-zinc combined. A special aluminum plating unit can produce approximately 250,000 tons annually. In addition to the United States, West Germany and Australia have recently constructed and commissioned these specialized units. As a result, global production of aluminum-coated steel sheets has increased yearly.

Demand and Expansion
There is a high demand for aluminum-coated steel sheets in various countries, including China, which currently faces a shortage. To address this, adding aluminum plating capabilities to existing and new galvanized steel production lines is recommended, allowing for an expansion of production to meet the growing demand.