Special aluminum profiles

Shape your ideas with special aluminum profiles: custom solutions and cutting-edge design

Special aluminum profiles offer a unique combination of structural strength, lightness, and premium finishes, making them ideal for a wide range of applications from architecture to manufacturing.

In addition to custom aluminum profiles made to drawing, Sika also produces commercial aluminum profiles, particularly suited to series production or projects with tight lead times. Aluminum’s ease of processing and excellent recyclability help reduce production costs and environmental impact, further enhancing its value in modern and sustainable contexts.

Alloys and thicknesses we work

Not all aluminum alloys behave the same way in cold roll forming. The choice depends on the required bending radius, the expected mechanical strength and the operating environment. Compared with steel, aluminum needs larger bending radii for the same thickness and has a different springback: both factors are considered when designing the rolls, which is why each profile is assessed on the drawing before production.

1000 and 3000 series

Highly formable aluminum, suited to tight bending radii and complex geometries. The usual choice when the profile has many close bends or complex closed sections.

5000 series

Higher mechanical strength and excellent performance in marine or aggressive environments. Suited to structural components, where the profile works under load.

Pre-painted aluminum

Strip already coated by the producer, with a uniform layer applied continuously before roll forming. No build-up at the edges and no further finishing step.

Thicknesses and widths

From 0.4 to 4 mm thick, strip width up to 550 mm, profile lengths from 200 to 1300 mm. Within these limits, the section is defined by the customer’s drawing.

The advantages of aluminum

Special aluminum profiles offer an optimal strength-to-weight ratio, reducing structural loads. Aluminum is easy to process, fully recyclable, and offers excellent durability due to its natural corrosion resistance. This makes it suitable for a wide range of sectors from civil construction to automotive, from urban design to aerospace.

Aluminum or steel: how to choose

For the same section, aluminum weighs about a third of steel but has lower mechanical strength: where the profile works under load, a greater thickness may be needed, reducing the weight advantage. In cold roll forming it requires larger bending radii, so very complex geometries are easier to achieve in thin steel.

Aluminum remains the obvious choice where weight is a constraint, such as moving components, structures handled by hand and vehicle applications, and where corrosion resistance is needed without protective coatings. Galvanized or corten steel is preferable when structural strength or cost per metre is the main criterion.

In practice, the choice is made on the drawing: the same section can be produced in both materials, with different results and costs.

Special aluminum profile

Painted aluminum profiles

Among the various finishing options, painted aluminum profiles add a distinctive aesthetic and additional protection against external elements. Powder or liquid coating creates a smooth, durable layer that can be customized in various colors, meeting the stylistic demands of architects and designers.

Applications

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From architectural façade design to mechanical industry structures, special aluminum profiles are successfully used in environments requiring high technical performance and modern aesthetics. In window and roofing systems, they offer insulation and lightness; in furniture solutions, they combine functionality with refinement; in industrial projects, they enable the production of resistant machinery and components that remain easy to handle and install.

Frequently asked questions

Which aluminum alloy is best for outdoor use?

For outdoor, marine or aggressive environments we recommend the 5000 series, which combines higher mechanical strength with excellent corrosion resistance. The 1000 and 3000 series are preferred when the profile needs tight bending radii.

Can special aluminum profiles be supplied pre-painted?

Yes. We roll form strip that has already been coated by the producer, selected at the purchasing stage according to the customer’s specifications. The profile comes out finished, with no build-up at the edges and no further painting step.

Is aluminum or steel better for a roll formed profile?

Aluminum is the right choice when weight and corrosion resistance matter most; steel is preferable when structural strength or cost per metre is the main criterion. We assess each section on the drawing and suggest the most suitable material.

Discover other materials

Special aluminum profiles

Shape your ideas with special aluminum profiles: custom solutions and cutting-edge design

Alloys and thicknesses we work

1000 and 3000 series

5000 series

Pre-painted aluminum

Thicknesses and widths

The advantages of aluminum

Reduced weight and high strength

Natural corrosion protection

Design flexibility

Sustainability

Aluminum or steel: how to choose

Painted aluminum profiles

Applications

Frequently asked questions

Which aluminum alloy is best for outdoor use?

Can special aluminum profiles be supplied pre-painted?

Is aluminum or steel better for a roll formed profile?

Discover other materials

Stainless steel

Carbon steel

Corten steel

Galvanized steel

Copper