Aluminum Trim
Trim made of aluminum alloys are used in the decorative architectural aspect of construction. Its shape is long, thin and narrow, and can be custom made to fit a specific purpose or space. Mostly used in the outdoors, aluminum trim is weather resistant, meaning it can withstand both high and low temperatures, won't rust when it comes in contact with water, and won't corrode easily. It finds use in the automotive, furniture, lighting and screen printing industries, but is most often found in construction and engineering. Aluminum trim is used as exterior accents in homes and buildings, as door and window frames, or on porches and roofs. In the automotive industry, aluminum trim is used to protect the back and side edges of truck and trailer bodies from chain wear and foot traffic.
Aluminum trim is often PVC coated, which provides protection and different color options. Trim used for decorative building construction often has different raised grains that have been stamped or engrained on the surface. A common example of this is the wood grain texture often seen on home trim accents. Trim made for the interior of cars is smaller and more detailed than trim in construction applications, and often has a surface texture or pattern. Aluminum trim is manufactured from metal shapes called billets, which are forced through a die at room temperature or high temperature to form the thin, narrow, long trim shape. Because weather resistance is important, the trim is often post-forming heat treated to increase strength and corrosion resistance properties.