Aluminum tubes are a type of aluminum alloy product with different shapes obtained through aluminum extrusion processing. Aluminum tubes are also called aluminum pipes, and our common shapes of aluminum tubes are: round, rectangular, square and so on.
Aluminum metal have good corrosion resistance and excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Therefore, it is often used as transportation pipes, construction materials and ship parts. Although aluminum has excellent corrosion resistance, it can still rust, why does this happen?
Why does aluminum tubing rust?
Aluminum is a highly corrosion-resistant material due to the fact that when it comes into contact with oxygen, a layer of aluminum oxide forms on its surface. Aluminum oxide is very thin, only one ten-thousandth of a millimeter thick. Over time, it fades and loses its ability to protect the aluminum metal. Then, the aluminum tube will be corroded or rusted as a result.
In addition, aluminum is very sensitive to strong acids or alkalis, which can damage the surface protection of aluminum and accelerate rust and corrosion. Scratches on the surface of aluminum can also damage the oxide film and cause rust to appear on the aluminum tube.
Aluminum tube rust solution
Now we all know that aluminum tubes have good corrosion resistance. But it still may rust or corrode, how can we solve this problem? These solutions below can help you better protect aluminum tubes:
1.Cleaning with detergent:
We can use cleaners to clean the surface of aluminum tubes to remove dirt or oil from its surface. After applying the cleaner we can use a soft cloth to wipe the hard-to-remove stains and then clean it with a high-pressure water gun. This is a basic cleaning method for mild corrosion situations.
2. Acid washing to remove rust:
Use strong acid to clean the corroded aluminum tube, put the corroded tube into a bucket filled with acidic solvent and soak it, take it out after 3-5 minutes to clean it you can get a brand new aluminum tube. This method is suitable for moderate to more severe corrosion, but the operation needs to be careful because this acidic cleaning agent will corrode your hands, so this method needs to be carried out by the manufacturer or a professional team.
3. Use epoxy adhesive to stick:
We can use epoxy resin adhesive to paste the corrosion of aluminum tube. This method not only prevents further corrosion, but also improves the hardness and toughness of the aluminum tube. This is a simple and effective repair method for many corrosion situations.
4. Weld the rusted part:
If aluminum is filled with rust and cannot be effectively repaired by other methods. We can consider using welding method to repair. Use welding to melt the corroded block into shape so that we can get a new aluminum.
However, it should be noted that this method is not suitable for construction aluminum parts. This is because welding most aluminum surfaces will reduce the strength and hardness of the aluminum metal. Tubes that become weak after welding cannot be used as building frames.
5. Replacement of aluminum tubes:
When rust is too severe to be repaired by the above methods, we can only consider replacing the aluminum tube. If more than 80% of the aluminum surface shows rust, this has affected its performance. Even after repair, the life expectancy will still not exceed 1 year. Therefore, replacing it with a new tube is the best option to solve the serious corrosion problem.
6. Aluminum tube surface coating and finishing:
Finishing aluminum tubes with anodic oxidation, powder coating or painting, etc. These coatings can improve its resistance to rust and corrosion. The life of tubes with these finishes can be increased by 40-60% and manufacturers are offering these finishes to you.
However, if your budget is low and you can’t afford to pay for these extras, mill finish aluminum tubing is a good option, but you’ll need to put up with annoying maintenance and upkeep in the future.
Choosing the right tube for your project！
If you need quality tubes or anodized tubes, you can contact us!
We are Hugh Aluminum – a professional manufacturer of aluminum tubes of all sizes and types. In addition, we offer additional powder coating and anodizing finishing services.
