Aluminum Column Fabrication

Roben, Mfg., Inc. specializes in the custom engineering and fabrication of aluminum for chemical, fine chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, defense, and power-generation industries. Every project is designed to ASME Section VIII Division 1 (with optional Division 2), is National Board registered, complies with the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 2014/68/EU) for CE marking, and is registered under the Canadian Registration Number (CRN) system for all Canadian provinces.

What Aluminum Are

Aluminum alloys (5083, 5086, 5454, 6061) are non-ferrous, lightweight construction materials with excellent corrosion resistance, very good low-temperature toughness (no ductile-to-brittle transition), and high thermal conductivity. They are widely used in cryogenic service, transportation tanks, and weight-sensitive vessels.

Why Aluminum Matter

Aluminum is the standard material for cryogenic separation columns (air separation, hydrogen, helium service), brazed-aluminum heat exchangers, and weight-critical applications. Its low-temperature toughness without need for impact testing makes it uniquely suited to cryogenic service.

Aluminum — Specifications and Capabilities

Alloys: 5083 (Al-Mg, marine/cryogenic), 5086, 5454, 6061-T6 (structural)

ASME approval: ASME VIII Div. 1 Subsection NF and Section II Part D

Welding: GTAW (TIG) and GMAW (MIG) with matching ER5183/ER5556 filler

Cryogenic service: No impact testing required per ASME VIII

Forms: Plate, extrusion, pipe, forgings

Certifications and Codes

ASME Section VIII Division 1 — U-stamp

ASME Section VIII Division 2 — available on request

National Board registration — R-stamp

PED 2014/68/EU — CE marking with Notified Body coordination

CRN — registered for all Canadian provinces

NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 — sour-service compliance

AWS D1.1 / ASME Section IX — qualified welding procedures and welders

Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminum

Why use aluminum for cryogenic columns?

Aluminum has no ductile-to-brittle transition temperature — its toughness actually improves at low temperatures. It also has excellent thermal conductivity, low density, and good corrosion resistance, making it ideal for air separation and other cryogenic service.

What aluminum alloy does Roben Mfg. use for pressure vessels?

5083 is the most common ASME-approved alloy for cryogenic and corrosion-resistant service. 6061-T6 is used for structural components and lower-pressure applications.

Is aluminum acceptable under ASME VIII Div. 1?

Yes. ASME VIII Div. 1 covers aluminum alloys in Section II Part D, with allowable stresses tabulated for each alloy and temper. Roben fabricates to U-stamp on aluminum vessels routinely.

What welding process is used on aluminum columns?

GTAW (TIG) is preferred for thin sections and root passes; GMAW (MIG) for thicker fill. Filler metal (ER5183 or ER5556) is matched to the base alloy. Surface preparation and contamination control are critical.

Are there any service limitations on aluminum?

Yes. Aluminum is not suitable for caustic (NaOH/KOH) service, mercury service (mercury embrittlement), or sustained high temperatures (>300 °F). Always check the corrosion compatibility for the specific service.

Request a Quote on This Project

Contact Roben Mfg., Inc. to discuss your project specifications, timeline, and material requirements.

📞 (732) 364-6000 ✉ sales@robenmfg.com 📍 760 Vassar Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701

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