Aluminum profiles are stored on shelves in a vertical or horizontal position in heated rooms at a temperature ranging from 5 °C to 35 °C, with a relative humidity of no more than 75%. The daily temperature fluctuation should not exceed 5 °C.
Direct sunlight should be avoided on the profiles.
When the outdoor air temperature is below 0 °C, the semi-finished products must be stored in a auxiliary room for 1 to 2 days after unloading.
There are several mandatory rules to follow for the storage of aluminum profiles:
- The space used for storing profiles must be clean and dry.
- When storing, the profiles should be carefully covered. This protects them, firstly, from pollution and dust, and secondly, from the possible entry of sparks from equipment operating in the room, such as a grinding machine or a welding machine.
- The room where aluminum profiles are stored should be well-ventilated. To prevent the formation of condensation on the profiles during storage in transport packaging, the latter should be sufficiently open to allow air to circulate along the profile. It is also necessary to ensure that the profile does not get wet during transportation.
Aluminum profiles without additional protective treatment after extrusion require special conditions for transportation and storage. Such profiles should be stored in dry rooms with a stable temperature regime to avoid condensation.
If such profiles are not isolated from one another and moisture (condensation, rain, etc.) comes into contact with them, this contributes to the rapid onset of crevice corrosion and the formation of difficult-to-remove light and dark spots on the surfaces of the profiles. This will lead to a loss of aesthetic appeal, although it will not affect the strength properties of the profiles in any way.
It is also not advisable to store mill finish profiles in open areas. With such storage, the profile is subjected to prolonged exposure to oxygen and moisture, which can lead to color loss. When the profiles get wet, they should be promptly wiped and dried.
When working with a profile without a protective coating, it is essential to wear gloves; otherwise, sweat from your hands (which is usually acidic) can cause corrosion on the surface of the profile.
When profiles are stored for a long time without protective coatings on their surface, an oxide film forms, which can affect the quality of subsequent anodizing.
