3 11, 2021

The Evolution of The Aluminum Alloy

2022-02-03T22:03:03+00:00November 3rd, 2021|

A large, futuristic, triangular aluminum roof supported by three tall pillars cuts into a cloudy sky, while the light of a bright sun peeks out from one of the edges.

The story of human dominance over nature really begins at metalworking with bronze. Bronze represents humanity’s first steps in substantively transforming the essence of the object around them, rather than just manipulating the physical shape of naturally occurring materials.

The sharp head of a stone spear made sometime in the Stone Age.

Since the introduction of bronze more than 10,000 years ago, metallurgy has continued to evolve. Most of the “giant leaps” in metalworking occurred thousands of years ago, but the technological age has brought about unprecedented advances of its own. Many of the advances piggybacked on the slow progression of past eras, as is the case with steel. However, aluminum stands out for its rise as a brand new, never seen before metal that arrived to chart the course for a new era of human progress.

This “metal, that looked like silver, but was too light to be silver” appears in the Roman history books of Pliny the Elder. He tells of how the Roman emperor saw the beauty and versatility of the metal, and, afraid of what its discovery could do to the price of silver, ordered the beheading of the only chemist capable of producing aluminum. The chemist, who claimed only he and the gods knew the secret of making aluminum, took the secret to his grave. From then, the gods were slow in trusting the secret to humans again. In fact, it wasn’t until 1825 that chemist Hans-Christian Orsted produced the first pure aluminum. This Danish scientist got to keep his head and the honor of introducing the world to a game-changing element.

In a period picture depicting the Middle Ages, a metal goblet is passed between two people, only their arms and part of one of their torsos can be seen.

With aluminum in hand, a whole new world opened to engineers and manufacturers. A lightweight, durable, corrosive-resistant, conductive, tasteless, and versatile metal immediately transformed the possibilities for industries, from aerospace and transportation to food and beverage. Soon aluminum, which at first was considered a royal, luxury metal, would find its way into everyone’s home through consumer products such as cars and appliances.

A photograph of the top of a cluster of red, aluminum canned drinks, with condensation droplets forming all over the cans.

Fueled by these past successes, aluminum continues to be a forward-looking material. Innovation characterizes this industry, focused on pushing the boundaries of the youngest member of the great metal family. Today’s research and development in the aluminum industry focuses on testing and understanding aluminum alloys.

To make these alloys, aluminum is melted and then mixed with other elements such as zinc, magnesium, and copper, among many others. Each alloy has a different set of characteristics, and consequently a different set of uses. In order to streamline the transition of these elements from research to application, aluminum alloys are assigned a four-digit number, where the first number indicates the main element that is alloyed with the aluminum. Some alloys, such as the ones found in the 3xxx series (Manganese), are great as cooking utensils, while other alloys, such as the 7xxx (Zinc) series, are perfect for aircraft. This classification of aluminum alloys gives end-users a guide by which they can pinpoint the aluminum alloy to fit their needs.

A photograph of the underbelly of a large commercial airplane where the engines, wings, and fuselage are visible and far above, another plane flies high in the air, leaving behind white contrails.

Specialized aluminum alloys can be found in our power lines, skyscrapers, appliances, automobiles, aircraft, and consumer products, from soda cans to refrigerators. Perhaps the only thing greater than aluminum’s achievements are the promises for tomorrow. From increased electrical conduction, to stronger, more lightweight aluminum, many of the world’s industries count on aluminum alloys to make their own progress possible. In this way, aluminum alloys are a keystone for the world’s continued technological progression.

At Taber Extrusions, our job is to keep up with every twist and turn in the exciting world of aluminum, so that we can deliver the perfect aluminum alloy for the job. Our intricate, precision extrusions  embody our attention to detail and understanding of the nuanced world of aluminum. Taber uses a wide scope of aluminum alloys to deliver quality aluminum extrusions according to customer specifications. That means, every product is tailor made, in substance and in shape.

Many ages have gone by since the first humans began shaping the natural world to their liking. Many, too, have gone by since we began using the power of chemistry to create the perfect materials. At Taber, we take our place within these traditions of progress and innovation, and are proud to work with aluminum, the metal of the future. Come take advantage of our aluminum extrusion expertise and best practices in the sector to meet your needs today!

ABOUT TABER EXTRUSIONS

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a new state-of-the-art cast house and two additional presses, micro-extrusion capabilities, and the fabrication area has been expanded multiple times.

Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys.

Today, Taber Extrusions is a vertically-integrated supplier of friction stir welding panels and assemblies in North America not previously seen – offering extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services, and raw materials.

Follow Taber Extrusions 

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Are you interested in joining the Taber Team? Send your resume to: careers@taberextrusions.com

Become a customer today! Visit us or request a quote: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/ or call us at (888) 985-5319.

19 09, 2017

Taber Extrusions: A Look Back, a Look Beyond

2017-09-19T16:10:44+00:00September 19th, 2017|

Since 1973, Taber Extrusions LLC has pioneered the extrusion of large, heavy and wide complex shapes to differentiate itself from the typical aluminum extrusion company. Since its inception, the Taber Extrusions brand has been synonymous with innovation, service and quality. All of our extrusions have, and will continue to be engineered, manufactured and tested in the United States. Taber Extrusions maintains its headquarters at the Russellville, Arkansas facility, with a Gulfport, Mississippi facility that includes a regional sales office, aluminum cast house and extrusion operations.

Today, Taber Extrusions continues to expand upon its operations and capabilities to retain the cutting-edge service that the company is known for.

Our recent aluminum cast house renovations now allow us to create aluminum billets in 8”, 9”, 11”, 16”, 20”, and slab sizes. We have unmatched access to the full range of aluminum alloys, without having to go through a middle man. Because Taber controls our billet casting, we have greater flexibility in our casting chemistry.
Learn more about our aluminum cast house renovations here: https://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-cast-house/

We also continue our production of a wide range of aluminum extrusion sizes and shapes. Our aluminum extrusion capabilities can now utilize both hard and soft aluminum alloys, of the kind found in aerospace, marine and military applications. The company’s profile capabilities range from industry standard extrusions to intricate custom designs that meet specific needs. Our standard shape catalog includes rods, hollows, channels, beams, angles, tees, zees, and bars in a wide range of sizes.

Learn more about our updated extrusion capabilities here: https://taberextrusions.com/aluminum-fabrication/

A modern aluminum extrusion company

After all this time, why do our customers continue to return to an aluminum extrusion company like Taber? It’s because we’re dedicated to innovation. We’re dedicated to finding intricate solutions for even the most complex extrusion request. While other extruders continue to focus on standard products and techniques, Taber’s work ethic and attention to the needs of the market allow Taber to create customized, versatile, high quality and market oriented products, that can satisfy a wide range of applications.

Want to get in touch with Taber? Our contact information can be found in the link below.

https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

10 08, 2017

The Aluminum Extrusion Company Powered by Ambition

2017-08-29T17:03:01+00:00August 10th, 2017|

In 1973, Taber Extrusions pioneered the extrusion of large, heavy and wide complex shapes to differentiate itself in the aluminum extrusion industry. Today, Taber Extrusions continues its tradition of breaking boundaries as an aluminum extrusion company that is a leader in the production of a range of quality aluminum extrusions sizes and shapes. The name “Taber Extrusions” has been synonymous with innovation, service and quality.

… but Taber is much more than a leading aluminum extrusion company. Taber is a company powered by heart, conscience, and deep ambition. Taber understands that employees are customers, too.

Taber exerts just as much effort in attracting, engaging, and retaining their employees as they do for their customers. Promoting a philosophy of “group achievement” has always been a primary focus, and this approach makes for longtime careers.  Meet forklift operator Arthur McCann, employed by Taber’s Gulfport, Mississippi facility for over 40 years.

“I began working at Taber on June 4th, 1976…. and I’ve only missed one day of work.” If you’d like to know what in the world caused Arthur to miss one day of work in 40 years, watch his video:

 

“I’ve received a great welcome.” Says Eric Angermeier, who joined the Taber team as President in early 2017, and spent over 20 years in the aluminum industry establishing senior level leadership roles including sales and operations management at multiple plant sites in the United States. “They are truly responsive to ideas, and willing to help me learn the business here at Taber,” he says. “With Taber being truly unique in the aluminum extrusion industry because of the large press extrusion sizes while offering both hard and soft alloys; we are able to offer what no one else can. That is exciting.” Read a recent article on Eric Angermeier from Taber’s quarterly newsletter, “The Shape of Things.”

When an entire aluminum extrusion company focuses on consistent delivery, exceptional service, dependability, and innovation, mutual rewarding is the result. Michael McDonald is the Co-Plant Manager for Taber’s Russellville, Arkansas location. 13 years ago, Mike applied to Taber as a temp, and was hired on full time within a few months. “The future for Taber isn’t written yet, but I see a very long and prosperous one. Taber has had a very big impact on the industry in its 44 years. We are continuing in our research of new technology and the possibilities of applying that technology or technique to our unique capabilities, so I think as long as we continue with what has made us successful, and continue to improve those areas, the sky is the limit for Taber Extrusions.” Read more about Michael McDonald.

Lisa Passmore, Inside Sales & Supply Chain Specialist at Taber adds, “I am proud to say I work for Taber Extrusions…when I say ‘Taber Team’, that is truly who we are – A group of people with unique strengths and skill sets working together toward a common vision.  My coworkers are the best!”

An aluminum extrusion company that possesses a compelling history often inspire an extraordinary kind of commitment amongst its workers. It is this very dedication that leads to a strong and successful corporate legacy.  Plant Engineering Manager at Taber Gulfport, Allan Sewell sums it all up in this bit of advice: “Be as well rounded as possible, be willing to put in a lot of hours, and look for opportunities to grow your company and your role within it.”

If you are interested in having Taber Extrusions as your full service partner or would like more information on Taber in general, give us a call at 888-985-5332.

You can also acquire details on Taber’s MBE supplier for aluminum extrusions status and commitment to creating diverse partnerships by visiting the MBE supplier for aluminum extrusions page of our website.

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

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