Zinc magnesium aluminum guide rail

Zinc-magnesium-aluminum cold-bent guide rails are guide rail products made from zinc-magnesium-aluminum alloy strip through cold bending forming process. They combine the material advantages of zinc-magnesium-aluminum alloy with the forming characteristics of cold bending process, and have unique advantages in structural stability, processing efficiency and application scenarios. Currently, they are mainly used in the photovoltaic industry, and are expected to enter more markets in the future.

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Photovoltaic overall solution

Building materials

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Details Introduction

Zinc-magnesium-aluminum cold-bent rails are rail products made from zinc-magnesium-aluminum alloy strip through cold bending. They combine the material advantages of zinc-magnesium-aluminum alloys with the forming characteristics of cold bending, offering unique advantages in structural stability, processing efficiency, and application scenarios.

I. Production Process of Zinc-Magnesium-Aluminum Cold-Bent Rails

Cold bending is the core process. Unlike casting or hot extrusion, it uses mechanical deformation at room temperature to achieve precise shaping of the rail cross-section. The specific steps are as follows:

Raw Material Preparation

Pre-rolled zinc-magnesium-aluminum alloy strip (thickness usually 0.5-3mm) is used. The alloy composition needs to be adjusted according to the application (e.g., increasing magnesium content to enhance strength, increasing aluminum content to optimize cold working performance).
The surface of the strip may be pre-treated (such as galvanizing, passivation) to improve subsequent corrosion resistance.

Cold Bending

Through multiple sets of continuously arranged roll dies, the alloy strip is gradually bent and rolled to form the cross-sectional shape of the rail (such as C-type, U-type, Z-type, groove type, etc., which can be customized according to design requirements).
During cold bending, the material is not heated at high temperatures. Mechanical force causes plastic deformation of the metal, which allows for precise control of the rail's dimensional accuracy (cross-sectional size error can be controlled within ±0.1mm) and high surface finish (no additional grinding is required).

Subsequent Processing

Fixed-Length Cutting : According to the actual length of use, the continuously formed rail is cut into fixed-length products using precision sawing equipment.
Connection Hole Machining : Some rails require drilling or punching holes on the sides or ends for installation and fixing. CNC punching machines are usually used to ensure hole position accuracy.
Surface Strengthening (Optional) : Such as low-temperature aging treatment (to improve material hardness) or secondary surface treatment (such as spraying, anodizing) to further enhance corrosion resistance or aesthetics.

II. Performance Characteristics of Zinc-Magnesium-Aluminum Cold-Bent Rails

High Precision and Consistency
Cold bending uses standardized mold production, resulting in minimal cross-sectional size and straightness deviations for rails in the same batch. This is suitable for scenarios requiring batch assembly (such as rail splicing in automated production lines).

Balanced Mechanical Properties
The "work hardening" effect during cold bending can improve the yield strength of the material (increased by 15%-30% compared to the casting state), while retaining the lightweight characteristics of the zinc-magnesium-aluminum alloy (density approximately 2.6-2.8g/cm³, only 1/3 that of steel), balancing strength and weight reduction needs.

High Efficiency and Low Cost
Cold bending is continuous production, with fast processing speeds (up to several meters per minute) and high material utilization (almost no waste). Compared to casting or hot extrusion, the production cost is lower, making it suitable for mass production.

Good Corrosion Resistance
Zinc-magnesium-aluminum itself has certain corrosion resistance. Combined with pre-cold bending surface treatment (such as galvanizing), it can adapt to humid, mildly corrosive environments (such as outdoor equipment, bathroom furniture).

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