Almexa blog: aluminum explained by the mill
What a purchasing, engineering or quality buyer needs to know before ordering aluminum, written by the people who make it. No brochures: sourced figures and direct answers.
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SpecificationAluminum temper designations: O, H14 vs H24, H32 and which to orderWhat aluminum temper designations mean, how H14 and H24 differ under ASTM B209, what O, H32 and F stand for, and how to write the temper on a purchase order.
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AlloysWhat aluminum alloy numbers mean (1100, 3003, 3105, 5052)A mill's guide to reading an aluminum alloy number: what each series tells you, what manganese or magnesium adds, and which alloy to order for each job.
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ProcessHow flat-rolled aluminum is made: from ingot to coilAn aluminum rolling mill step by step: melting, direct-chill casting, hot rolling, cold rolling, annealing and slitting. And why it matters who does it.
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PricingHow aluminum price is calculated: LME, premium and FABThe price of an aluminum coil or circle adds the LME quotation, the regional premium and the conversion cost (FAB). What each is and how to compare to imports.
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SourcingHow long an aluminum order takes from Mexico and what delays itReal delivery times for flat-rolled aluminum from Mexico: what a mill's lead time includes, what an import from Asia adds and how to avoid delays.
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SourcingImporting aluminum from Asia or buying from a Mexican mill in 2026A comparison for purchasing: what changed with 2026 tariffs and Section 232, what costs an FOB price leaves out, and when importing still makes sense.
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Trade complianceHow to document the country of smelt and cast of aluminum for US customsWhat the United States and USMCA ask about aluminum origin, what documents a mill provides and what a North American importer of aluminum parts must assemble.
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SpecificationAluminum sheet gauge chart: inches and millimetersAluminum sheet gauge chart with thickness in inches and millimeters, which gauge fits each application and why you should order in decimal inches or mm.
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AlloysWhich aluminum alloy to use for deep drawing pots and pansHow to choose the alloy, temper and thickness of aluminum circles for deep drawing and spinning of cookware, and why a drawn part tears, wrinkles or warps.
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SpecificationAluminum coil widths: how to get your final width from 36 or 48 inBuyers ask for 48 in coils out of habit, but almost nobody uses the full width. How to calculate strips and scrap from mill widths and when width matters.
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QualityHow to tell if aluminum is good quality before you buy itWhat to check on an aluminum mill test report, which tests to run when a coil or circle arrives and which questions to ask the supplier before approving it.
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