Aluminium sheet metals play an essential role in offshore oil exploration. Main traditional material for oil drilling platforms is steel, which has strong hardness yet high maintenance cost. Therefore, scientists have long been searching for a lighter and cheaper metal to replace steel, and the aluminium sheet metal becomes their best choice.

With a density of only one third of steel, aluminium sheet metals weigh much less than steel sheets yet show similar hardness. It’s true that most aluminum sheets can not even compete with steel in hardness, which is the core strength of the latter, but some aluminum alloys of 5xxx and 8xxx series are strong enough to be raw materials for drilling platforms. In comparison to steel frames, light aluminum profiles are more easier to be installed, delivered and stored. Standing above the sea surface or merged in the water, aluminum sheet metals manifest good adaptability to severe surroundings and climates. 5xxx alloys are especially suitable for marine parts. They are mixtures of metals of aluminium and magnesium that is well known for its excellent anti-corrosion property and extraordinarily light weight. After being treated properly, they demonstrate a salt resistance as strong as steel. Benefiting from light weight and strong adaptability, aluminum extrusions can be so flexibly matched that finished drilling platforms display attractive and fashionable outlook, adding beauty to broad sea surface. What’s more, aluminium sheet metals boasts extremely long service life. Anodized sheets for marine parts last 30 years and more with low maintenance cost.

With development in both offshore oil exploration and manufacturing technique for aluminium sheet metals, their application in marine equipment is expected to become broader and deeper. In addition to drilling platforms, they are currently applied to production platforms and ocean engineering vessels as well. Therefore, it’s no exaggeration to say that aluminium sheet metals have a bright future in offshore exploration. Haomei Aluminum supplies aluminum sheet and aluminum coil of various alloys. Welcome to contact us at alu@aluminio.cn for more information!