Beyond the base alloy selection, the temper—referring to the hardness and strength achieved through thermal treatment—ultimately determines the physical performance of aluminium extrusion. At ALEXCO, we offer materials in various tempers (F, T4, T5, T6) to meet specific customer needs. We surpass standard tolerances and adjust our design and manufacturing processes to align with specific design requirements.
T 5 Temper
Almost all our customers choose T5 temper, for its overall strength, while still being somewhat formable and bendable if required. T5 Temper is achieved by artificially ageing the material in a batch oven for several hours after extrusion
Standard Tolerances
At ALEXCO, our standard extrusion tolerances adhere to BS1474, the industry standard for acceptable limits on deviations in the dimensions and shape of extruded profiles. This ensures consistency and quality in manufacturing.
T6 Temper
T6 is available for applications requiring the maximum stiffness from the profile. T6 is achieved by ageing the material in a batch oven at higher temperatures for several hours after extrusion.
‘Soft’ Temper
We also supply in F (or T4) more commonly know as ‘soft’. Ideal for applications that require extensive bending and forming operations. F is less stiff and the surface noticeably less scratch resistant.
Tolerances
At ALEXCO we specialise in achieving tolerances even tighter than the standard. Understanding the customer’s requirements and the necessary tolerances is critical for us to ensure the die design is correct for your application.
Extrusion profile manufacturing tolerances vary greatly depending on the shape and size of the die, and they are often larger than people initially assume. It is important for us to understand the critical dimensions of the profile for the application, any fittings that will be clipped into or connected to the profile, and the manufacturing tolerances these components may have.
During the die design process, we will provide a drawing with the tolerances for each part of the die for your approval. Any tolerances not specifically noted will conform to BS1474.