Aluminum's design and fabrication attributes can be mixed and matched in limitless ways to meet end use requirements. It can also be repeatedly recycled without degradation to its innate attributes.

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Basics:
ALUMINUM

Aluminum is a silver-white soft metal. It is the most abundant metallic element in the earth's crust. It is found in bauxite combined with oxygen and other elements and must be converted into its metallic state. In ordinary commercial and industrial use, the word "aluminum" is often understood to mean aluminum alloy, rather than pure metal.

The addition of alloying elements modifies the properties and characteristics of aluminum. Such aspects as density, electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, mechanical properties, ability to finish and harden, and corrosion resistance are all affected by combining the alloying elements with aluminum. Alloying alone does not provide aluminum with all of its desirable characteristics. Aluminum temper is the controlled hardness and strength imparted to aluminum by mechanical or thermal treatments. Properly alloyed and tempered aluminum is one of the most versatile and cost effective materials available.

Aluminum is unique in that it is fully and repeatedly recyclable. Aluminum can be recycled over and over without any degradation or loss of its innate characteristics. The recyclability of aluminum makes it environmentally friendly. Costs and energy consumption for recycling one pound of aluminum are typically less than ten percent of the cost of extracting one pound of aluminum from ore. The significant scrap value of aluminum is one of the attributes that make aluminum cost effective.

The Aluminum Industry encompasses the following segments: can, casting, extrusion, foil, plate, refining, sheet, scrap, and smelting. Business cycles, innovations and activities of each segment influence the other segments in terms of cost and material availability. Penn Aluminum participates in the aluminum extrusion segment.

Aluminum's major design and fabrication attributes are:
- Lightweight - about a third as heavy as copper or steel.
- Strength - tensile strength can reach as high as 90,000 PSI - close to steel.
- Efficient - possesses high strength-to-weight ratio.
- Corrosion resistant - doesn't rust.
- Resilient - can deflect under loads then spring back.
- Non-toxic - easily cleaned and does not absorb bacteria sustaining particles.
- Reflective - heat and light.
- Electrically conductive - on equal weight exceeds copper; is 62% IACS by volume.
- Non-magnetic - not capable of being magnetized or attracted by a magnet.
- Cryogenic strength - not brittle in intense cold.
- Non-sparking - will not throw off flash caused by electric discharge.
- Non-combustible - will not ignite or burn.
- Emission free - no hazardous emissions when exposed to high heat.
- Recyclable - can be re-melted and formed without losing innate qualities.
- Durable - capable of withstanding wear or decay.
- Virtually seamless - can be extruded to form hollow profiles without mechanical joints or seams that could loosen, weaken or leak.
- Attractive - naturally good looking.
- Versatile - can be bonded, welded, brazed, soldered, fastened or joined.
- Flexible - accepts a wide range of finishes.
- Machinable - can be cut, drilled, tapped and bent.
- Highly workable - all known metal working processes can be used.
- Malleable - can be extruded to tight dimensional tolerances.
- Consistent - possesses uniform quality.
- Near - net design capable.
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PENN ALUMINUM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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