Almexa blog: aluminum explained by the mill
What a purchasing, engineering or quality buyer needs to know before ordering aluminum, written by the people who make it. No brochures: sourced figures and direct answers.
-
AlloysWhat aluminum alloy numbers mean (1100, 3105, 5052, 8079)A mill's guide to reading an aluminum alloy number: what each series tells you, what manganese or magnesium adds, and which alloy to order for drawing, painting, finning or sealing.
-
ProcessHow flat-rolled aluminum is made: from ingot to coilThe complete process of an aluminum rolling mill explained step by step: melting, direct-chill or continuous casting, hot rolling, cold rolling, annealing and slitting. And why it matters who does it.
-
PricingHow aluminum price is calculated: LME, premium and FABThe price of an aluminum coil or circle is built from three components: the LME quotation, the regional premium and the conversion cost (FAB). What each is, where to look it up and how to compare against importing.
-
SourcingHow long an aluminum order takes from Mexico and what delays itReal delivery times for flat-rolled aluminum from Mexico: what a mill's lead time includes, what an import from Asia adds and what to do so your order isn't delayed.
-
SourcingImporting aluminum from Asia or buying from a Mexican mill in 2026An honest comparison for purchasing: what changed with 2026 tariffs and Section 232, what costs an FOB price leaves out, and when importing still makes sense. With sources.
-
Trade complianceHow to document the country of smelt and cast of aluminum for US customsWhat the United States and USMCA ask about aluminum origin, what documents a mill provides and what a North American importer of aluminum parts must assemble.
-
SpecificationAluminum sheet gauge chart: inches and millimetersAluminum sheet gauge chart with thickness in inches and millimeters, which gauge is used in each application and why you should order in decimal inches or millimeters, not gauge.
-
AlloysWhich aluminum alloy to use for deep drawing pots and pansHow to choose alloy, temper and thickness of aluminum circles for deep drawing and spinning of cookware, and why a part tears or warps.
-
SpecificationAluminum coil widths: how to get your final width from 36 or 48 inBuyers ask for 48 in coils out of habit, but almost nobody uses the full width. How to calculate strips and scrap from mill widths and when coil width doesn't matter.
-
QualityHow to tell if aluminum is good quality before you buy itWhat to check on an aluminum mill test report, which tests to run when a coil or circle arrives and which questions to ask the supplier before approving it.
-
PackagingAluminum blister foil: the thickness, alloy and temper a pharma lab asks forTechnical guide to push-through blister foil: why 20 micron 8079 in O temper is used, when H18 makes sense, which lacquers seal to PVC and PVDC and which defects a lab rejects.
-
SpecificationWhat aluminum fin stock is and how to choose alloy and gaugeFin stock guide for evaporator, condenser and radiator manufacturers: what it is, when to use 1100 or 7072, which gauge and temper a fin press needs and what fails when the strip isn't consistent.
Useful? Send your spec and the plant answers.
Request a quote