Surface dimensions and thickness are the primary factors to consider when looking at options to buy aluminium sheeting in the UK. While overall surface area is the first key aspect you’ll want to consider in planning a job using this sort of sheet metal, the various material finishes available will also play a significant part in helping you select the ideal sort of aluminium sheet for your needs and intended applications.
Anodised aluminium sheeting, for example, can provide both robust protection against corrosion and a more aesthetically pleasing outer face, while raw or unfinished sheets can be coated or protected in a variety of other ways once initial forming and fabrication is complete. Suitable for use with rivet and plate fixings as well as for welding purposes, aluminium plate is viewed as an especially user-friendly sheet metal, featuring high formability and being easy to cut to size for a diverse range of applications.
It’s commonly cut to 1mm-2mm thick, and at this weight it can be formed easily by hand or with smaller handheld tools. Thicker plates may require either manually operated forming machines, or more industrial-type pneumatic presses or brakes to work into the desired shape.