In 1888, the commercialization of aluminum started. Three years later, in 1891, Switzerland used aluminum to build the first boat that used some aluminum. The opening of aluminum was used as a precedent for ships. In 1940, the United States used aluminum to build a long 24.7m, speed 74km/h torpedo speedboat; in the mid-1960s, the United States developed 116 and 117 states of Al-Mg alloy with high magnesium content, which solved the intergranular corrosion, exfoliation corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of the alloy. Problems such as the opening of a new era for the application of aluminum in ships, since then, aluminum has become a commonly used ship material. Since the new century, the advent of friction stir welding (FSW) has opened wider prospects for the application of aluminum in marine engineering and ships. The industrialization of friction stir welding is the first of Sapa's (Sapa) company. The company can use the FSW process to produce 26m long and 3.5m wide ship wall panels. Friction stir welding does not use welding wire. Therefore, the performance of the weldment is much better than that of other welding methods, and the thermal deformation is very small. It can provide the world's widest and longest ship wall.

Sapa is now one of the world's largest producers of aluminum extrusions. It has 104 extrusion plants around the world in 2015 and employs about 23,500 people in more than 40 countries, but mainly in the United States and Europe. With a revenue of NOK 18.5 billion (NOK), which accounts for approximately 19% of the world total, it is the world leader in extrusion aluminum production technology and technology. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Architectural aluminium and marine engineering aluminium are the two pillars of Sapa.

Ship Aluminium Overview

Most aluminum alloys that resist seawater corrosion and can work long-term in the ocean atmosphere can be used to make ship structures and certain parts, but the most used are Al-Mg and Al-Si-Mg alloys such as boats. Multi-purpose 5052, 5083, 5086, 5454, 5456, 6061, 6N01 for body, superstructure, pressure vessel, pipeline, etc., and 1050, 1200, 3003, 3203, 6063, AC4A, AC4C, AC4CH, AC7A , AC8A and other alloys.

Various types of aluminum have been used on ships. The main material states are: H14, H112, H32, H34, H111, H116, H117, F1, T1, T5, T6, T61 and so on. The main material types are: sheet, plate, strip, foil, pipe, bar, profile, integral ribbed and hollow wall panels, forgings, die castings, castings, stampings, cold-formed parts, composite materials, Foam, honeycomb, etc. Because Sapa Aluminum has three major advantages: exquisite extrusion technology, strong R & D capabilities, high-end FSW equipment and welding technology, making it the world leader in shipbuilding aluminum, can supply the largest aluminum, the most high-end Aluminum.

Sapa Aluminium in Marine Engineering

Sapa Aluminum in Marine Engineering

Since the density of aluminum is much smaller than that of steel, the aluminum alloy of the same kind of structure is much lighter than steel and can usually be 30% to 50% lighter. At the same time, the company can produce uniform and long-sized extruded profiles with precise dimensions. With the advanced FSW, it can be welded into wide and long wall panels. It is not only light weight, but also safe and easy to assemble. Sapa has developed the advantages of aluminum profiles to the extreme and broadened the application of aluminum in marine engineering.

Aluminum in high-rise building facilities

Aluminum alloy siding can be used to manufacture a wide variety of production supplies, clean and hygienic, and does not generate sparks during collisions. It is a kind of safe fireproof material. Any structure and facility required to meet the A60 fire prevention standard can be made of aluminum. It is necessary to emphasize that some people think that the melting point of aluminum is only 660°C, the melting point of aluminum alloy is lower, it is not fireproof, it is not safe, in fact, aluminum has quite good fire safety, when it is heated to 660°C by fire. When it is lower, it will melt, but it will not burn. At the same time, it has a large heat of fusion of 10.47kJ/mol. During the melting process, it will absorb a lot of heat, which will help delay the fire. Therefore, aluminum has a certain fire safety performance. The fire doors in the building can be made of aluminum alloys. However, it must also be pointed out that high-rise buildings such as bridges and control towers of large surface ships will soften and collapse in the event of a fire, because the strength of aluminum alloys will rapidly decline above 300°C.

Superior aluminum deck

The aluminum deck welded by precision large extruded aluminum FSW is a superior helipad, light weight, high strength, strong corrosion resistance, easy installation and good maintenance.

Stairs and Guardrails

Extruded aluminum is a good material for making ships and marine engineering stairs and guardrails, strong and beautiful, corrosion-resistant, clean and sanitary. However, because its hardness is lower than that of steel, it is not suitable for the manufacture of stairs and guardrails for facilities in coastal tourism areas because it is easily scratched by steel tools.

High corrosion resistance alloy

The wear-resistant corrosion alloys developed by Sapa Aluminium are very suitable for the manufacture of marine equipment and ship structures. They not only have good corrosion resistance to seawater and marine climate, but also have improved corrosion resistance after anodizing treatment. Marine engineering made with these alloys can safely work long-term on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can significantly reduce maintenance work, such as sheltering work rooms and substations.

Large friction stir welding technology and equipment

Friction stir welding (FSW) is the best process for welding large aluminum alloy structural parts. Its working temperature is far below 660°C. Without welding rods, the mechanical properties of welds are almost equivalent to that of the parent metal. Although Sapa Aluminum is not the inventor of this welding technology, its pioneering commercial application now has the world's largest and most advanced FSW equipment and workshops for welding hulls and decks.