Aluminum Sheets?

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#5
I only need a 12" by 24" that's 1/16" thick. It also has to be able to bend at 90 degree angles without cracking; malleable that is. Lastly since my chassis is black, a black anodized aluminum sheet metal is preferable. I don't know where to start looking in Chicago lol. I know Chicago has some somewhere (I think), but so far I could only find "industrial" type metal factories, which is huge.
 
#6
Something that small, call an anodizer shop or water jet cutting place. Take an artwork. They probably already have a sheet, give no discount for supplying your own metal. Some aluminums are quite brittle, I had an ex military sheet of .186" that would break up if you just tried to bend it. One of the above shops may give some free advice on what alloy to buy. Copper and Brass Sales dominates the Louisville aluminum market, I know they operate out of indi, try that name in chicago. Mcmaster's got a document part number 8975KAC you can download on which aluminum they sell is for what. If your order by 1600, mcmaster ships the same day, usually. Stock is shown on the website. $5 minimum freight cleveland-louisville, $10 freight for a 12x36" box (of UHMW sheet I bought with 1200 1" fender washers).
 
#7
I can't speak as to where to get the material or anodizing in the Chicago area, but if you are looking for a bendable aluminum, you are best to use a 5052 grade, and not the 6061 that is used for machining. I can also say that any anodizing should be done after any holes and bends are done. You may also want to consider alodine instead of anodize. This is a chromate process that adds corrosion resistance, but still allows electrical conductivity.

Peace,

Dave
 
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