Benefits

Aluminum possesses the best strength-to-weight ratio of any metal in common use and weighs about one-third as much as mild steel.  Still, the metal is considered a niche product to most distributors, according to Lori Venne, vice president of sales for Aluminum Fastener Supply Company, Inc., of Naples, Florida.
Started over 18 years ago, Aluminum Fastener Supply Company stocks 3,700 different items of aluminum fasteners and is the only master distributor in the United States focusing exclusively on aluminum.  The company's key to success, says Lori Coar-Venne, company president, are educating the customer to the benefits and wide variety of uses of aluminum and delivering a high level of service to that customer.

Anywhere you see an aluminum product application, says Coar-Venne, an aluminum fastener is almost always the best way to go. Aluminum offers benefits not commonly found in other metals:

Resistance to atmospheric corrosion: Because of its tendency to form a protective oxide coating upon exposure to the atmosphere, aluminum needs no further treatment in ordinary environments. Special alloys and anodic coatings are available for application in extra-corrosive environments.

Economy: Most often aluminum threaded fasteners cost less than those made of brass or stainless steel. Since aluminum fasteners require no maintenance, they will often offset the initial cost advantage of less expensive fasteners.

Nonstaining: The oxides of aluminum are colorless and such corrosion products as may occur will not mar the finish of products or assemblies. The surfaces of aluminum fasteners react with oxygen in the air to form a hard, colorless oxide coating which seals, protects and prevents the fasteners from staining the materials they are joining. When you use aluminum fasteners in your finished products, you can expect these fasteners to retain their good appearance for many years. For maximum resistance to coastal environments, a dicromate sealed Alumilite 205 finish can be used. The potential hazard of galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals is eliminated when aluminum fasteners are used to fasten aluminum components.

Strength: Aluminum possesses the best strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. It can be made stronger than mild steel. Aluminum fasteners are strong enough to be used in high-speed, automatic production lines.

Lightness: Aluminum weighs about one-third as much as mild steel. Although weight is a significant factor in most applications for fasteners, lightness can reduce costs and facilitate movement into, through and out of the manufacturing plant.

Compatibility with aluminum: It is standard practice to fasten aluminum with aluminum in order to minimize the danger of galvanic corrosion.

Colorability: Color-anodized fasteners are made for exterior or interior applications. Aluminum accepts paint readily. Using either process, the range of shades is practically unlimited, making it a simple matter to match any designer's choice of colors.

Conductivity: Aluminum offers high conductivity at a low cost. Electrical utilities have switched over to the exclusive use of aluminum for the transmission and distribution of power. Aluminum fasteners are used to connect power lines to transmission towers, for accessories and in substations. Aluminum threaded fasteners are used to connect bus bars and service drop cable in commercial and industrial power applications, as well as for connectors and electrical contacts for the communication and electronics industries.

Nonmagnetic: Aluminum is the preferred metal in applications where magnetism may be a problem. In addition, aluminum's nonmagnetic properties prevent clustering where the fastener is to be handled by tools made of ferrous metals.

Variety of Uses: By adding aluminum to their product lines, distributors may also increase their customer base, says Gary Coar. Utility companies, government agencies and a variety of product manufacturers use aluminum fasteners. Says Coar, aluminum is everything from street signs, to tools and sheds, to lawn furniture, to aircraft. By carrying aluminum, a distributor may open new doors. Other common uses for aluminum fasteners include: greenhouse manufacturing, storm doors, windows, awning manufacturers and many others. Aluminum Fastener Supply carries more than 3,700 standard types and sizes of aluminum threaded fasteners. Special fasteners can be made to meet specific user needs.