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    Wondering what type of Aluminum the Case is.

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Alekx, Aug 21, 2009.

  1. Alekx

    Alekx Notebook Guru

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    Nevermind guys, I don't think it is Cast Aluminum, if you know for a fact this is cast aluminum please let me know.

    Thanks
     
    Alekx, Aug 21, 2009
    #1
  2. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    The metal kind :)
     
    The_Moo™, Aug 21, 2009
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  3. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Do you mean the grade? My, you are a discriminating buyer aren't you?

    Most aluminum alloys have the grade stamped on them somewhere--at least my bike does--which tells you the quality. The 5000 series is typical for strength and quality, so any number beyond that just makes it even better.

    I remember seeing the whole process of aluminum manufacturing on "Discovery"...or was that "How It's Made?" Anyway, it's a remarkable process from when it's mined (it looks like rock), to it's final recognizable metallic state.

    Note: Did you know aluminum was once more expensive than gold!
     
    Krane, Aug 21, 2009
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  4. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Cool story, bro.
     
    Soviet Sunrise, Aug 21, 2009
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  5. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Aircraft grade ?
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Aug 21, 2009
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  6. lordqarlyn

    lordqarlyn Global Biz Consultant

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    Yep. Aluminum was considered a precious metal for the longest time, ironic since it is one of the most common elements in the earth's crust. The Washington Monument is capped with aluminum, and King Louis XVI had cutlery made of aluminum. It was not until Hall-Heroult process in 1886 that made aluminum cheaply available.
     
    lordqarlyn, Aug 21, 2009
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  7. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    Nerds.......
     
    The_Moo™, Aug 21, 2009
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  8. KimoT

    KimoT Are we not men?

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    From looking at the detailed images in the service manual, I would say it is die cast. You can see the circular marks where the part was ejected from the die.

    Of course, that is just the method that is used to fabricate the part. A high-grade die cast part can be very good quality. The anodizing process will add strength as well, so it should be almost as sturdy as machined aluminum, but a whole lot less expensive. It is much better than stamped aluminum, or using flattened beer cans.

    Also, many archeologists of Civil War sites have been surprised to find aluminum rings among artifacts of the era. Instead of being modern contamination at sites, they were prized objects at the time due to the rarity and lightness of the metal.
     
    KimoT, Aug 21, 2009
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  9. Chorltonred

    Chorltonred Notebook Enthusiast

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    Chorltonred, Aug 21, 2009
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  10. lordqarlyn

    lordqarlyn Global Biz Consultant

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    Sure, whatever, Mr. Alienware geek :p
     
    lordqarlyn, Aug 22, 2009
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  11. Alekx

    Alekx Notebook Guru

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    Yea well I wanted to send it in to get anodized, but if its cast aluminum it will just ruin the plate, which is why i wanted to know if it was possible to get a second shell.
     
    Alekx, Aug 22, 2009
    #11