Aluminum Buying Guides

Good aluminum procurement starts with a complete technical specification. A quotation based only on an alloy number or a nominal thickness can leave important differences unresolved, including temper, tolerance, finish, testing, packaging and delivery terms.

1. Prepare a complete RFQ

Include the following information wherever it applies:

• Product form and alloy/temper.
• Applicable standard and any customer-specific specification.
• Thickness, width, length, coil ID/OD and dimensional tolerances.
• Quantity, unit of measure and expected order schedule.
• Surface finish, coating, film, edge condition and flatness requirements.
• Required mechanical tests, chemical analysis, inspection and material certificates.
• Destination, packaging, marking and requested delivery terms.

2. Select alloy and temper together

Alloy describes the composition family; temper describes the material condition produced by processing. The same alloy in different tempers can have materially different strength and forming behavior. Confirm the exact designation against the governing standard and intended fabrication route.

3. Confirm dimensions and tolerances

State nominal dimensions and acceptable tolerances. For coil, define width, thickness, inside diameter, outside diameter, core requirements and coil weight limits. For plate or sheet, clarify length, width, thickness, flatness and edge requirements.

4. Clarify surface and processing requirements

Describe mill finish, brushed, anodized, painted, embossed, tread or other finishes precisely. If a protective film is needed, specify the protected face, film type if known, removal expectations and any restrictions for downstream processing.

5. Ask for inspection documents

Where required, state whether the order needs a mill test certificate, chemical composition report, mechanical test results, dimensional inspection, heat/lot identification or third-party inspection. Agree on the document format and acceptance criteria before production.

6. Evaluate packaging and logistics

Confirm seaworthy or domestic packaging requirements, moisture protection, pallet/crate details, lifting points, labels, container loading constraints and destination handling. Packaging should match the product form and transport route.

7. Compare quotations on a like-for-like basis

Check that every quotation covers the same grade, temper, dimensions, tolerance, finish, quantity, inspection, packaging, delivery term and validity period. A lower unit price may not represent a lower landed cost if yield, freight or processing differs.

RFQ information checklist

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