FAQs

The Australian Aluminium Council itself is not a supplier of any bauxite, alumina or aluminium products. However, below we have listed various businesses that may be able to provide what you are after:

Extrusions

There are a number of extruders in Australia. The links below are directed to companies sales contact information.

Distributors

There are a number of aluminium product distributors in Australia. The links below are directed to companies sales contact information.

Bauxite

There are five bauxite mines in Australia, the link below is directed to our member company’s sales contact information.

Member Bauxite Mines

• Alcoa of Australia
• Rio Tinto
• South32

Alumina

There are six alumina refineries in Australia, the links below are directed to our member companies sales contact information.

• Alcoa of Australia
• Queensland Alumina Limited
• Rio Tinto
• South32

Aluminium

There are four aluminium smelters in Australia, the links below are directed to our member companies sales contact information.

• Alcoa of Australia
• Rio Tinto
• South32

Aluminium and its alloys have a relatively low melting point (approximately 600ºC – 660ºC) and they lose strength as the temperature rises. The rate of loss of strength increases markedly at above 150ºC.

The Material Properties Data website is very useful for finding specifications of Aluminium. At the search page you use the Non Ferrous Metals box, click on the arrow and choose the series number you are searching and all the Alloy numbers are listed.

The 5000 series alloys with a magnesium content greater than 3% are susceptible, when held within the temperature range 66ºC to 230ºC, to the risk of creating a sensitive metallurgical structure that can result in stress corrosion. The length of time at temperature is a critical factor in determining the degree of sensitization.

Aluminium does not rust. Under normal circumstances a thin layer of oxide forms on the surface of aluminium metal on contact with air protecting the metal beneath from further corrosion. In adverse weather conditions or due to other environmental factors the corrosion pattern of aluminium is more complex. Without more information it is not possible to put a time on this process. For more information on aluminium corrosion we would suggest you contact a technical body such as a metallurgical department of a university.

We would recommend that you contact the European Aluminium Foil Association for the information you require.

In electrolytic pot smelting the power is DC at low voltage 4 – 5V and high current 50,000 – 280,000 Amperes (150 KA owe).

The guaranteed minimum mechanical properties of 6060-T5 are the same as for the alloy 6063-T5. Therefore use the 6063-T5 data in AS1664 for alloy 6060-T5. With regard to alloy 6082 it has a chemical composition which overlaps that of alloy 6351 and the guaranteed mechanical properties are essentially the same. Therefore use the 6351 data in AS1664 for alloy 6082.

Originally it referred to the 5000 series alloys particularly 5052 and 5251 used in the small boat market. The 5000 series are essentially sheet and plate alloys and the extrusions used in conjunction with these products for the marine industry are the 6000 series alloys. Whilst not originally given the ‘marine grade’ title the 6000 series have been used in the marine industry for over 50 years.

The main standards covering aluminium are:

• AS/NZS 1866 Extruded rod, bar, solid and hollow shape
• AS/NZS 1867 Drawn tubes
• AS/NZS 1865 Drawn wire, rod, bar and strip
• AS/NZS 1734 Flat sheet, coiled sheet and plate
• AS1874 Ingots and castings
• AS2848.1 Compositions and designations
• AS1231 Anodic oxidation coatings
• AS3715 Thermoset powder coating for architectural applications
• AS1664 Structural use of aluminium
• AS1665 Welding of aluminium structures

In many situations it is possible to embed aluminium in concrete without any protection. However, if corrosive components have been added to the concrete or if the assembly is in a particularly corrosive environment then some protection is necessary. This protection can be by way of a suitable paint finish such as zinc molybdate primer, an alkali resistant bituminous paint or suitable plastic wrapping.

Aluminium blind rivets (commonly called ‘Pop’ rivets), 300 series stainless steel screws and bolts and hot-dipped galvanized steel bolts are commonly used. The actual material and joint design depends on the severity of the environment.

There is no Australian Standard covering ‘food grade’ aluminium however alloys 1200, 3003 and 5005 have been widely used in the food industry for decades.

Galvanic or dissimilar metal corrosion is the corrosion that takes place when different metals or alloys are coupled together in the presence of an electrolyte. The position of the dissimilar metals in the galvanic series, the conductivity of the electrolyte and the ratio of the surface areas of the dissimilar metals are factors which affect the severity of the corrosion. Aluminium and copper are a long way apart in the galvanic series and using them together in a marine environment is not good practice.

Like most metals, aluminium (except in powder form) does not burn and does not support combustion. This is really self-evident when we consider what we do with aluminium products such as welding, melting for castings, cookware. Aluminium will melt at temperatures above 660 degrees Celsius0

There is no single answer to the question, what is the fire rating of aluminium as fire ratings relates to a building element such as a door, window etc where all components of that element contribute to the rating in terms of temperature and time.

Aluminium composite panel (ACP) is made up of two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a polymer core. It is the polymer core that makes this product dangerous in a fire. For more information please refer to the Victorian Government Factsheet.

The AAC provides a technical support hotline. Please call 1800 642 230 and we will do our best to answer your question.