Aluminium profile glossary

Plain-language definitions of the terms you will meet when buying aluminium profiles — from extrusion and finishes to Incoterms and shipping documents.

Alloy: A mixture of aluminium with other elements (such as magnesium and silicon) that gives the metal specific strength and corrosion properties. The alloy used for your profiles is confirmed at quotation.
Temper: The hardness condition of an aluminium alloy, set by heat treatment — for example T5 or T6. The temper is confirmed at quotation.
Billet: The solid aluminium log that is heated and pushed through a die during extrusion.
Extrusion: The process of forcing heated aluminium through a shaped die to create a long profile with a constant cross-section.
Die: The steel tool with a shaped opening that forms the profile cross-section during extrusion. Each profile model needs its own die. Also called a mould; we make new moulds for custom profiles.
Cross-section: The shape of a profile seen end-on — the drawing that shows its exact dimensions, wall thickness and internal features.
Wall thickness: The thickness of the metal walls of a profile, in millimetres. Thicker walls give a stronger, heavier profile.
Weight per metre (kg/m): How much one metre of a profile weighs. Multiply by your total metres to estimate the order weight for freight.
Overall dimensions: The outer width × height of a profile in millimetres — the numbers that must fit your assembly.
Tolerance: The small allowable variation around a stated dimension in manufacturing. Nominal figures are shown in our tables; tolerances apply in production.
Anodising: An electrochemical process that builds a hard, corrosion-resistant oxide layer into the aluminium surface, in metallic tones.
Powder coating: Dry powder sprayed onto the profile and baked into a tough colour coat — available in RAL colours.
Wood-grain finish: A decorative finish that gives aluminium profiles the appearance of timber.
RAL colour: The standard European colour-matching system used to specify powder-coating colours. Available colours are confirmed at quotation.
Surface protection film: Adhesive film applied to finished profiles to guard against scratches during transit and handling.
MOQ (minimum order quantity): Minimum order quantity. Aayukti Aluminium works with a flexible MOQ — no minimum for models with an existing mould.
Lead time: The time between order confirmation and shipment — 10–30 days, depending on colour and finish.
Quotation: The written offer confirming model codes, dimensions, finish, quantity, Incoterm, loading port and lead time. Read it line by line before approving.
Incoterms: International standard trade terms (such as FOB, CFR, CIF) that define who arranges and pays for freight and insurance.
FOB (Free On Board): The seller delivers the goods onto the vessel at the loading port; the buyer arranges freight and insurance from there.
CFR (Cost and Freight): The seller arranges and pays for ocean freight to the destination port; the buyer arranges insurance.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): The seller arranges and pays for freight plus marine insurance to the destination port.
EXW (Ex Works): The buyer collects the goods from the seller’s premises and handles all transport from there.
Loading port: The port where your goods are loaded onto the vessel. Confirmed in your quotation.
Bill of lading: The shipping document issued by the carrier that acts as a receipt for the goods and a contract of carriage.
Commercial invoice: The seller’s invoice listing the goods, quantities and values — used by customs to assess duties.
Packing list: The document listing the contents, quantities and weights of each package in the shipment.
HS code: The Harmonized System code used by customs worldwide to classify goods and determine duty rates. Your clearing agent confirms the correct code.
Clearing agent: The licensed professional at your port who handles customs clearance and delivery of your shipment.
Container (20ft / 40ft): The standard steel shipping boxes used for sea freight. Profile lengths and bundle sizes decide how much fits in each.
Bundle: A strapped-together group of profiles for handling and loading. Our tables show pieces per bundle where the catalogue prints them.
Seaworthy packing: Export packing designed to protect goods through sea freight — secured bundles, moisture protection and container-friendly sizes.
Sample approval: Your written confirmation of a sample section or technical drawing before production starts — the cheapest insurance on a first order.
Third-party inspection: An independent inspector you appoint to check goods before shipment. Whether inspection applies is confirmed in your quotation.

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