What Is The Best Way To Join An Aluminium Extrusion

By Author: reiko pena
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How to join an aluminium extrusion to another aluminium extrusion or other material is much debated. There are two camps in this debate; on the first side are those that prefer mechanical joining and on the other side are those that favour bonding an aluminium extrusion with an adhesive. Personally I have pitched a tent in the second camp and will defend it vehemently. Here we’ll look at this debate with a focus on the merits on bonding and the weaknesses of mechanical joining.
Weaknesses of mechanical joining
By mechanical joining I mean using rivets, screws or welding of Aluminium extrusion . These may seem like a reliable methods of joining an aluminium extrusion and in many cases one of these is perfectly adequate but not in the long term and not if you want a truly secure join. The problem with each of these methods is that while they are effective at forming a join between an aluminium extrusion and its partner the process will weaken the integrity of the metal at the joining point.
Rivets and screws require a puncture to be made in the aluminium extrusion and the material it is to be attached to. The ...
... screw or rivet will then sit in the holes of both sides, holding them together by the pressure of a nut. The initial puncture clearly weakens both sides and weakening continues through fretting or friction with the screw/rivet. This means the joins with become weaker and weaker over time.
Welding requires the application of heat and the temporary weakening of the metal to melting point in order to form a seal. Although the metal hardens again the effect of this process is degradation of the metal around the join.
Strengths of adhesive joins
To avoid weakening and ensure long term strength in the join the best option is to use an appropriate adhesive aka an epoxy resin. Through careful preparation of the surface of the aluminium extrusion and the other surface that is to be joined to you can achieve a lasting bond that in fact becomes stronger over time. Epoxies also work extremely quickly, saving you time and effort.
Speak to aluminium extrusion specialists for the best prices and advice on adhesives.