In the production and application of aluminum products, precise control of the aluminum sheet thickness is crucial. As a commonly used unit of thickness measurement in the industry, "Gauge" hides nonlinear conversion logic and a wide range of application scenarios.
Gauge (abbreviated as Ga) is a thickness unit originated in North America. It was originally used to measure the diameter of metal wires and then gradually expanded to the field of plates. Its core feature is that the larger the value, the smaller the thickness, but this relationship is not linear. For example:
10 Ga corresponds to 3.42 mm, which is suitable for high-strength structures;
20 Ga is 0.81 mm, which is often used in home appliance housings;
30 Ga is only 0.25 mm, which is close to the thickness of aluminum foil.
It is worth noting that there are differences in the Gauge standards of different metals. Taking 16 Ga as an example, the thickness of aluminum sheet gauge is 1.29 mm, while that of steel plates can reach 1.52 mm. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the actual thickness parameters when applying across materials.
In the fields of engineering, manufacturing and medicine, Gauge (abbreviated as Ga) is a non-standardized unit of thickness or diameter, and its popularity is closely related to regional culture, historical background and industry needs. Although millimeter (mm) is an internationally accepted metric unit, the nonlinear conversion rules of Gauge still maintain a unique position in specific countries and industries.
In the future, with the deepening of globalization and digitalization, the Gauge unit may gradually be replaced by millimeters, but in specific fields and cultural circles, its unique measurement logic will continue.
The quality of aluminum plates depends not only on thickness, but also on alloy composition (such as 6061, 5052 series), surface treatment (anodizing, spraying) and processing technology. The "thickness" and "thinness" of aluminum plates are not absolute quality standards, but function-oriented choices.
Advantages of thick aluminum sheet: higher rigidity, impact resistance and durability, but increased cost and weight;
Advantages of thin aluminum sheet: flexible processing, low cost, lightweight, but some strength must be sacrificed.
Strength requirements: load-bearing structures (such as building curtain walls) require 10-16 Ga thick plates;
Use scenarios: perforated aluminum sheets require ≥2.0mm thick plates due to structural weakening;
Weight restrictions: 18-22 Ga medium and thick plates are preferred for automotive interiors and aviation parts;
Process requirements: welding processing is prone to deformation, and ≥2.5mm thick plates are required to ensure stability.