Aluminum Fin Stock: An Overview
Aluminum fin stock is a lightweight, malleable, and corrosion-resistant material made from various aluminum alloy series, such as 1000, 3000, and 8000. It is manufactured by repeatedly rolling aluminum foil through rolling mills, resulting in thin, flat sheets or coils of metal.
Pictured: Hydrophilic aluminum foil used in Aluminum fin stock
The Significance of Aluminum Fin Stock
Aluminum fin stock plays a crucial role in the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry. It serves as the primary material for crafting heat exchanger fins, which are essential components in HVAC systems. The quality and performance of these fins directly affect the efficiency and longevity of the entire system, underscoring the importance of choosing a trusted supplier like Signi Aluminum.
Shown: Hydrophilic aluminum foil roll
Specifications of Aluminum Fin Stock
| Alloy | Temper | Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Inner Diameter (mm) | Mechanical Properties | ||
| Tensile Strength (Mpa) | Elongation (%) | Erichson (IE, mm) | |||||
|
1100 1200 3102 8011 8006 |
O |
0.08-0.2 ( /-5%) |
100-1400 ( /-1) |
I.D.75/150/ 200/300/505 |
80-110 | ≥27 | ≥6.0 |
| H22 | 100-135 | ≥22 | ≥5.5 | ||||
| H24 | 115-145 | ≥20 | ≥5.0 | ||||
| H26 | 125-160 | ≥10 | ≥4.5 | ||||
| H18 | ≥160 | ≥1 | – | ||||
| Special specifications can be tailored to meet customer requirements. | |||||||
Chemical Composition of Various Aluminum Fin Stock Alloys
| Alloy (%) | AA1050 | AA1100 | AA1200 | AA3003 | AA8006 | AA8011 |
| Fe | 0.40 | 0.95 | 1.00 | 0.70 | 1.40 — 1.60 | 0.6 — 1.00 |
| Si | 0.25 | (Fe Si) | (Fe Si) | 0.60 | 0.02 | 0.5 — 0.90 |
| Mg | 0.05 | – | – | – | 0.02 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 1.0 — 1.50 | 0.4 — 0.50 | 0.20 |
| Cu | 0.05 | 0.05 — 0.20 | 0.05 | 0.05 — 0.20 | 0.05 | 0.10 |
| Zn | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.10 |
| Ti | 0.03 | – | 0.05 | 0.1(Ti Zr) | 0.03 | 0.08 |
| Cr | – | – | – | – | – | 0.05 |
| Each (Others) | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Total (Others) | – | 0.15 | 0.125 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 |
| Al | 99.50 | 99.00 | 99.00 | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder |
Varieties of Aluminum Fin Stock
Aluminum fin stock can be categorized into coated and uncoated types.
Coated Aluminum Fin Stock
Coated aluminum fin stock, developed by Signi Aluminum, possesses exceptional brazing capabilities, resistance to core dissolution, and high-temperature resistance, resulting in lighter and more efficient heat exchangers.
Depicted: Coated aluminum fin stock material
Uncoated Aluminum Fin Stock
Uncoated aluminum fin stock represents the most basic heat exchanger material, consisting solely of a core layer without any surface coating. It finds applications in automotive radiators, intercoolers, oil coolers, evaporators, water tanks, heaters, and various air conditioning radiators.
Various Classifications of Uncoated Aluminum Fin Stock
1. Bare (Uncoated) Aluminum Fin Stock:
Bare aluminum fin stock is essentially a silver-colored sheet. It is aluminum foil rolled and annealed without any surface treatment. Currently, bare aluminum foil accounts for less than 50% of the aluminum foil used in air conditioning, contrasting with its dominant position in the market fifteen years ago.
2. Pre-coated Aluminum Fin Stock:
Pre-coated aluminum fin stock undergoes surface treatment, offering enhanced functionality compared to uncoated foil. Many countries have adopted pre-coated aluminum foil in the past 10-15 years, with numerous corrosion-resistant and hydrophilic aluminum foils classified as pre-coated aluminum foils.
3. Corrosion-Resistant Aluminum Fin Stock:
As the name suggests, corrosion-resistant aluminum fin stock is coated with a protective layer to resist corrosion. This not only enables the use of air conditioners in harsh environments, prolonging their lifespan, but also enhances ventilation quality, making it a widespread choice.
4. Hydrophilic Aluminum Fin Stock:
Hydrophilic aluminum fin stock features a highly hydrophilic surface with some degree of corrosion resistance. Its primary function is to exhibit hydrophobic properties, preventing water droplets from obstructing heat exchange fins and affecting ventilation efficiency. This leads to improved air conditioner performance and energy cost savings.
5. Superhydrophobic Aluminum Fin Stock:
Superhydrophobic aluminum fin stock, also known as superhydrophobic aluminum foil, possesses surface properties opposite to hydrophilic aluminum foil. Its purpose is to prevent condensation water from lingering between heat exchange fins. The key difference is that superhydrophobic aluminum foil increases the contact angle between condensation water and heat exchange fins, allowing condensation water to form easily removable droplets, eliminating condensation water between heat exchange fins.
6. Self-Lubricating Aluminum Fin Stock:
Self-lubricating aluminum fin stock does not require the addition of lubricating oil during the punching process. Lubrication during punching is provided by a thin film on the surface of the aluminum foil after pre-treatment. This eliminates the need for lubricating oil, simplifying subsequent cleaning and drying processes that use trichloroethylene.
7. Anti-Mildew Aluminum Fin Stock:
Anti-mildew aluminum fin stock is primarily used in the indoor unit’s air conditioning dehumidification section. Its primary role is to prevent the surface of heat exchange fins from developing mold due to prolonged use or storage, enhancing air conditioner ventilation quality.
Applications of Aluminum Fin Stock
Aluminum fin stock is extensively used in the HVAC industry for manufacturing heat exchanger fins. It is also widely employed in the automotive industry for producing radiators and condensers. Its remarkable heat transfer properties, lightweight characteristics, and corrosion resistance make it an ideal choice for these applications, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Signi Aluminum provides aluminum fin stock that meets the stringent requirements of these industries, guaranteeing outstanding performance and durability.
Depicted: Car condenser radiator fin stock
Signi Aluminum: A Leading and Technologically Advanced Company
At Signi Aluminum, we take pride in our state-of-the-art aluminum foil rolling mills and advanced production processes, ensuring that our aluminum fin stock products consistently meet the highest quality standards. We source top-quality aluminum alloy raw materials, including 1100, 1200, 3102, and 8011, to guarantee exceptional performance and durability. Our aluminum fin stock demonstrates outstanding thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and formability, making it the ideal choice for demanding applications.
Depicted: Air conditioning condenser fin stocks
Customization Possibilities
We understand that every customer has unique requirements. That's why Signi Aluminum offers customizable options for aluminum fin stock. From dimensions to thicknesses, we can tailor the product specifications to meet your specific needs. Our flexible manufacturing processes enable us to produce aluminum fin stock in various sizes and thicknesses, ensuring a perfect fit for your applications.
Packaging
Signi's flat fins are packaged on wooden pallets in an "eye-to-sky" or "eye-to-wall" orientation, wrapped with HDPE fabric and hard fiberboard, and secured with iron bands. Silicone packaging ensures moisture resistance, and the entire packaged product is enclosed in a wooden crate.
Signi Aluminum is a reputable supplier of aluminum fin stock, with years of experience in providing composite and non-composite aluminum fin stock for heat exchangers, intercoolers, condensers, and evaporators at competitive prices. Contact us now to inquire about additional discounts and explore our product range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What applications use fin stock?
Fin stock made of aluminum is used in various applications, including heat exchangers for room/package air conditioners and large refrigerators. Its excellent thermal conductivity makes it an ideal choice for efficiently transferring heat in these systems.
Why is aluminum preferred for making fins?
Aluminum is the preferred material for fins due to its exceptional properties, such as excellent corrosion resistance, high formability, and superior thermal conductivity. These qualities make it the perfect material for constructing heat exchangers, ensuring optimal performance and durability.
Which material is best suited for making fins?
The heat transfer performance of fins depends on the material used. Copper fins provide the highest heat transfer efficiency, while aluminum fins offer a good balance between performance and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, steel fins have lower heat transfer capabilities compared to aluminum fins.
Compared to other materials, aluminum fins offer better heat dissipation capabilities at lower costs. Therefore, aluminum is commonly used as the material for radiators.