Aluminium VS Duralumin - Explanation of bottom guards

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Aluminum and duralumin are two commonly used metallic materials, but they differ significantly in terms of composition, properties and applications.

Aluminium: 

• Aluminum is a pure chemical element, symbolized by Al, and is found in the periodic table under atomic number 13.

Properties:

• Light: Aluminum is very light, with a density of around 2.7 g/cm³.
• Malleable: Easy to work and shape, it can be transformed into sheets, wires or complex shapes.
• Corrosion-resistant: It naturally forms a protective oxide layer that prevents corrosion.
• Conductive of heat and electricity: It is a good thermal and electrical conductor, although less so than copper.
• Recyclable: Aluminum is 100% recyclable with no loss of quality.

Applications:

• Used in packaging (cans, aluminum foil), construction (windows, facades), transportation (car bodies, airplanes) and electronics (housings, radiators).

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Duralumin:

Composition:

• duralumin is an aluminum alloy with mainly copper (approx. 4%), manganese (0.5 to 1%), magnesium (0.5 to 1%) and sometimes silicon.

Properties:

• Stronger: Thanks to the addition of copper and other elements, duralumin is much stronger than pure aluminum.
• Light: While more resistant, it remains relatively light, although slightly denser than pure aluminum.
• Good mechanical strength: The addition of copper improves tensile strength and hardness.
• Corrosion: Less resistant to corrosion than pure aluminum due to the presence of copper, it often requires a protective coating.
• Heat treatability: Can be heat treated to further improve mechanical properties.

• Mainly used in the aeronautics industry for aircraft structures (fuselages, wings) thanks to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
• Also used in sports equipment (bicycle frames, golf clubs) and certain high-performance automotive parts.

Comparison of materials : 

When you equip your 4x4 for off-road adventures, protection of its lower parts is essential. The materials commonly used for these protections are aluminum and duralumin. Here's an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you make the best choice.

Aluminum

Advantages:

• Lightweight: With a density of just 2.7 g/cm³, aluminum doesn't add much weight to your vehicle, which can improve handling and fuel efficiency.
• Corrosion resistance: Aluminum forms a protective oxide layer, making it ideal for the wet and muddy conditions frequently encountered on off-road rides.
• Easy to work with: Its malleability makes it easy to shape to your vehicle's specific needs.

Disadvantages:

• Moderate mechanical strength: Pure aluminum can deform more easily under heavy impacts than stronger alloys.

Duralumin :

Advantages:

• Increased strength: duralumin, an aluminum alloy with copper, magnesium and manganese, offers much greater mechanical strength than pure aluminum. This means greater protection against shocks and impacts during off-road driving.
• Optimum strength-to-weight ratio: Although slightly denser than pure aluminum, duralumin remains relatively light yet offers enhanced strength.

Disadvantages:

• Less resistant to corrosion: Due to the presence of copper, duralumin is more likely to corrode without a protective treatment or coating.
• Cost: duralumin can be more expensive than pure aluminum due to its composition and improved properties.

Conclusion: 

Shop now for Almont4wD Protections, all of which are made in Duralumin , offering you the most resistant protections on the European market. 

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