While many individual buying aluminum will only buy the small quantity they need, manufacturing companies and fabricators often buy very large orders at the same time to save on the cost of delivery and to ensure there is adequate inventory on hand to maintain production.
Weather Damage
This means ordering enough aluminum t slot , channels and other aluminum materials for perhaps for a few weeks to months of work. This leaves the business with the problem of how to store aluminum, even if it is for a brief time.
Typically, aluminum is shipped wrapped, even if it is custom cut. This can be a plastic type of shrink wrap material or it can be specialized types of packaging, including paper materials.
While aluminum is naturally durable and corrosion resistant, it can be impacted by exposure to water and just to the environment. A white film can form on the surface and where there are scratches or damages, there can be some surface corrosion, which is a form of oxidation that will provide ongoing protection.
However, this white to gray looking surface is not aesthetically appealing. In addition, if it occurs in the track of the aluminum t slot it can cause the hardware to stick in the track or to limit smooth movement.
Store Flat
With aluminum t slot in particular, it is critical to avoid warping or bending along the length of the track. While very durable and strong, it should always be stored flat and not placed against a wall or a rack in a leaning position.
Extensive time in this position, particularly if there is the weight of other lengths of aluminum on top, it is possible for the track to bend. This may make it more difficult to use as inset t-track in jigs and tables or for use in any type of fabrication.
