Copper, Aluminum, Nickel Fall as Reduced Use Boosts Inventories

Copper, aluminum and nickel declined in London as the global economic slowdown reduced demand for industrial metals used in buildings and cars.

Copper stockpiles in warehouses monitored by the London Metal Exchange rose 1.3 percent to the highest since November 2003, aluminum inventories are at a record and nickel inventories are the highest since July 1995. Copper rose to a two-month high yesterday on speculation that government spending in the U.S. and China would revive demand.

“The market is recognizing realities rather than speculating on spending from stimulative packages and perceived Chinese buying,” said Herwig Schmidt, a trader at Triland Metals Ltd. in London.

Copper for delivery in three months fell $48, or 1.3 percent, to $3,532 a metric ton as of 9:39 a.m. on the LME, eroding this year’s gain to 15 percent. Nickel dropped $111, or 1 percent, to $11,389 a ton and aluminum declined $17.75, or 1.2 percent, to $1,427.25 a ton. Nickel is used to make stainless steel and aluminum and copper are used in cars and homes.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange Comex division, copper futures for March delivery declined 2.05 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $1.5925 a pound. Futures are up 13 percent this year.

Hulamin Ltd., Africa’s largest aluminum processor, said today that customers in the auto, transportation and construction industries are paring inventories. LME stockpiles rose 0.5 percent to 2.9 million tons, the most since the aluminum contract started in 1978.

Still, investors are “cautiously” returning to the industrial metals markets in anticipation of supply shortages as companies cut output, Barclays Capital analyst Kevin Norrish said yesterday.

“The supply side has adjusted much more quickly than in the past,” he said. “We’re still in a commodity bull market.”

Nickel inventories jumped 582 tons to 87,288 tons and copper stockpiles climbed 6,650 tons to 514,425 tons.

The dollar rose on optimism U.S. President Barack Obama’s stimulus and bank-rescue packages will spur growth in the world’s largest economy. Obama yesterday said the U.S. economy faces a “full-blown crisis.”

Lead declined $25 to $1,174 a ton and tin gained $20 to $11,250 a ton. Zinc fell $13 to $1,182 a ton.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aaGDiS5D1pFQ&refer=latin_america

Gordon Aluminum Order Post Extrusion Die Cleaning System

Kredit Automation & Controls, Inc., a Rockwell Automation Systems Integrator Partner, announced today that it has been awarded a contract for its unique DieKlean 360™ post extrusion die cleaning system by Gordon Aluminum Industries, Inc. of Schofield, Wisconsin.

Kredit Automation's Latest Aluminum Extrusion Die Cleaning System

The DieKlean 360-2E1TN is designed to chemically remove aluminum from extrusion dies that are up 17" in diameter at a rate of 112 dies per day. Efficient removal of aluminum from dies is critical to preparing the extrusion dies for re-use. Unlike the process used throughout most of the industry, the Kredit Automation DieKlean 360™ is specifically designed to minimize employee exposure to hot, high pH, caustic liquids, reduce chemical consumption, and speed cleaning time. The fully automated system controls the cleaning (etching) process and automatically neutralizes the waste. In addition to significantly increased safety for the Gordon Aluminum die shop employees, attention to process control results in a high performance die cleaning system that offers up to a 50% reduction in sodium hydroxide consumption and up to a 50% reduction in cleaning time over conventional systems.

Kredit Automation & Controls has installed similar aluminum removal systems in various facilities at Hydro Aluminum, Kaiser Aluminum, and Indalex Aluminum Solutions.

http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=15483

Aluminum is a Great Material for Railings

Aluminum has been used for a number of years in construction and for other uses when a lightweight but strong solution was sought. Alloys manufactured from aluminum are used in aircraft, furniture, clothing and many other items. Aluminum's strength to weight ratio is what makes it so attractive for so many uses. Steel is stronger, but is much heavier and so steel of the same weight or thickness of aluminum does not offer the same strength. Aluminum also lasts a long time because it does not easily corrode.

Aluminum as a material for railings can be used in many ways.

Anodized aluminum: Corrosion of aluminum is even further delayed by putting a thin coating on the surface of the aluminum. This prevents the aluminum from oxidizing, preventing corrosion. Strengthened: Aluminum can be further strengthened by the insertion of wood blocks into the aluminum at critical points, so that the aluminum is even stronger. Coated: A powder coating can be applied to aluminum by means of new painting techniques. Through the addition of these powder coatings, plain old silver aluminum can now be available in beautiful, bright new colors. PVC: PVC can be attached to fully formed aluminum after it is manufactured. This can serve two purposes. It can further protect the aluminum and it can add a new dimension to the design and color of the aluminum.

Aluminum is one of the easiest of materials to work with and install, so it is no surprise that manufacturers have started developing uses for aluminum in railings. Vertical aluminum posts are easily fixed into the bottom posts of a railing, allowing for speed of installation. Even the homeowner do-it-yourselfer is happy to be able to save time with an easy method such as this. Posts of other materials such as PVC or CPVC can also be fixed into the aluminum bottom posts. In addition to aluminum, aluminum alloys are being used more and more in railings because of the extra longevity they give to the railings. These alloy processes give aluminum an even greater strength to weight ratio and protect it further against corrosion.

Andrew Caxton contributes adding long articles on deck and balcony for http://www.deck-porch-railings.com. Find more publications about aluminum railings at his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Artistry in aluminum

Alumagrips offers artistry in aluminum to create a truly custom, serviceable, and affordable grip for your 191] pistol. They combine the durability and good looks of light weight metal finished to perfection. The manufacturing process is so exacting that grips in any style offered will add a unique, high quality look to any 1911 pistol, full size, compact, ambidextrous, mug-well, or both. Besides the pleasing aesthetics, the high grade aluminum is finished to perfection for appearance and fit and will stand up to heavy duty use fur years to come. Visit USA made Alumagrips at: www.alumagrips.com.