AM Editors Team

Did You Know Why Aluminium Is Used for Cylinder Heads?

Precision-machined aluminium cylinder head showing combustion chambers, valve seats, coolant passages, and exhaust-valve thermal stress.

The cylinder head is one of the most thermally and mechanically stressed components in any internal combustion engine. It must seal the combustion chamber, house the valvetrain, manage intake and exhaust flow, and channel coolant—all while withstanding thousands of thermal cycles over its service life. For decades, cast iron was the default material for this … Read more

Beyond the Tape Measure: Why Aluminium Producers Are Turning to Non-Contact Shape Measurement

Proscan Magnum in an aluminium rolling plant. Image courtesy of Scantron Industrial Products Ltd.

Walk onto most rolling mill floors today, and you’ll find cutting-edge equipment feeding into a measurement process that hasn’t changed much in decades. Manufacturers invest heavily in modern rolling lines for the higher yields and higher quality they promise — yet many are still checking flatness with a Flatness Step Block gauge or Tapered Gauge. … Read more

ACP vs. Corrugated Aluminum vs. Honeycomb Panels: What’s the Difference?

Aluminum composite, corrugated-core and honeycomb aluminum panels showing different internal core structures

At first glance, an aluminum composite panel, an aluminum corrugated-core panel, and an aluminum honeycomb panel can look remarkably similar. All three may present a smooth aluminum surface, all can be used in architectural applications, and all rely on some form of sandwich construction. But the important difference is hidden between the face sheets. ACP … Read more

Aluminum Composite Material & Suppliers

Aluminum composite panel, ACM panels and ACP aluminum composite panels

Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) is widely used for commercial façades, exterior cladding, signage, storefronts, architectural features, and other building and design applications. In the U.S., ACM (Aluminum Composite Material) is a commonly used industry term. You may also see ACP (Aluminum Composite Panel) used for the same general type of composite panel product. ACM / … Read more

Aluminum Foil Food Storage: Myths & Truths You Should Know

Aluminum foil, baked potato and leftovers showing food storage methods

Aluminum foil is a kitchen staple, but advice about storing food in it can get confusing. Some people say you should never use foil for food storage, while others use it for leftovers, baked potatoes and sandwiches without a second thought. The truth is less dramatic. Aluminum foil can be used safely for many food-storage … Read more

US Aluminium Faces a Bigger Test as Tariffs, Prices and Supply Routes Collide

US aluminium smelter and processing facility amid tariff and supply pressures

US aluminium faces a difficult balancing act as tariffs, domestic smelting projects, Midwest pricing and changing supply routes reshape the market. The US aluminium industry is facing a difficult balancing act. Washington wants to rebuild domestic primary aluminium production and reduce dependence on foreign supply, while manufacturers are dealing with higher metal costs and an … Read more

Sleek Aluminium Flush Casement Windows vs uPVC

Sleek aluminium and uPVC flush casement windows compared

Flush casement windows are becoming a popular choice for homeowners who want the clean appearance of traditional timber windows without giving up modern performance. But there is an important choice within this category: uPVC or aluminium? uPVC remains one of the UK’s most widely used window materials, particularly where keeping costs under control is important. … Read more

Aluminium and Aluminium Business & Things

Illustration showing aluminium products, applications, businesses and recycling

Aluminium is one of those materials that has become so common that we often stop noticing it. It is in buildings, vehicles, packaging, electrical systems, kitchens, furniture, electronics, machinery and thousands of everyday products. But aluminium is more than a useful metal. It is a massive global business ecosystem. Its lightweight, durability, corrosion resistance, versatility … Read more

Semi-Unitized vs Unitized Curtain Wall: What’s the Difference?

Comparison of semi-unitized and unitized curtain wall systems side by side on dark studio background showing differences in assembly, interconnections, and factory finishing

What Is a Unitized Curtain Wall? A unitized curtain wall is a factory-assembled, prefabricated facade system where complete wall panels—including framing, glass, gaskets, seals, and sometimes even spandrel panels—are manufactured and assembled in a controlled factory environment. These pre-assembled units (typically one storey in height and one bay in width) are then transported to the … Read more

Curtain Wall System Cost: What Determines the Price of a Glass Façade?

Curtain wall system installation on a high-rise building showing a crane lifting a unitized glass panel into position against the structural frame

How Much Does a Curtain Wall System Cost? There is no single answer. Curtain wall pricing varies dramatically based on system type, specification tier, building height, glass performance, finish, and location. Before we dive into costs, it’s worth understanding what a curtain wall actually is and why it has become the default choice for modern … Read more

Curtain Wall System Components: Mullions, Transoms, Anchors, Glass & More

Curtain wall system components showing mullions, transoms, anchors, glass panels, pressure plates, cover caps, gaskets, thermal breaks, setting blocks, side blocks, spandrel panels, and drainage system in a cross-sectional view

What Is a Curtain Wall System? A curtain wall is a non-structural outer covering of a building that is independent of the building’s structural frame. Unlike traditional load-bearing walls, curtain walls do not carry any weight from the building itself—they only support their own weight and withstand wind loads, seismic forces, and thermal movements. Think … Read more

Best Aluminum Fence for Keeping Rabbits Out of Your Garden (Stops Groundhogs & Deer Too)

Best powder-coated aluminium fence designed for keeping rabbits out of garden with narrow gaps and underground apron to prevent digging.

Rabbits can squeeze through 1-inch gaps, dig under shallow barriers, and jump surprisingly high. If your current garden fence isn’t stopping them, the issue is usually the design and material choice—not just a lack of effort. Waking up to decimated vegetable patches and nibbled flower beds is frustrating. But here is the good news: a … Read more

Aluminium Rolling Ladders: Benefits, Safety, and Selection

A industrial single-sided aluminum rolling ladder with slip-resistant steps and a secure top platform for warehouse aisle operations.

What Is an Aluminum / Aluminium Rolling Ladder? An aluminum rolling ladder—also known as an aluminium mobile platform or industrial rolling ladder—is a heavy-duty access solution designed for commercial and industrial environments. Engineered with casters at the base and an enlarged standing platform at the top, these ladders allow workers to safely access elevated shelving, … Read more

Are Pivot Doors Safe for Children, Elderly People and Wheelchair Users?

A hero image for a pivot door safety guide, showing safe family use, a wheelchair user, and an elderly person demonstrating a soft-close mechanism.

Pivot doors offer an undeniably stunning architectural statement. Their clean, minimalist aesthetic and ability to support massive, grand entrances have made them an industry favorite for luxury homes and contemporary commercial spaces. However, integrating a pivot mechanism into a residential property requires a thorough understanding of its unique physical mechanics to ensure it is completely … Read more

Is a Modern Pivot Door Right for You?

Modern pivot door installation guide showing front entrance, patio opening, upper-floor balcony, and interior room divider applications

Pivot doors have become a defining feature in contemporary architecture. Their unique mechanism—rotating on a vertical axis at the top and bottom rather than swinging on side hinges—creates a dramatic, floating appearance that instantly elevates any space. But here’s the truth that many homeowners overlook: a pivot door’s performance, cost, and suitability depend almost entirely … Read more

Do Aluminum Cotter Pins Rust?

Split scene comparison of an aluminum cotter pin – pristine and dry on the left versus corroded with white patina and pitting from saltwater exposure on the right

What Happens When Aluminum Is Exposed to Moisture? To understand whether aluminum cotter pins rust, it helps to first know the difference between rust and corrosion. When aluminum is exposed to moisture, it does not rust. Instead, it undergoes oxidation. Aluminum instantly forms a very thin, hard, transparent layer of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) on its … Read more