Best FabricatorsMarine and aluminum fabrication
Marine fabrication builds boat parts, towers, rails, docks, and port equipment that live in salt air and water.
Materials and processes
Marine aluminum alloys such as 5052, 5083, and 6061, and 316 stainless steel. Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals is a constant design concern.
Standards and certifications to know
- AWS D1.2: the structural welding code for aluminum.
- ABS class rules: the American Bureau of Shipping publishes rules for classed vessels and offshore structures.
- U.S. Coast Guard requirements: apply to many commercial vessels and their equipment.
Questions to ask a shop
- Does the shop weld aluminum daily, with welders qualified to AWS D1.2?
- How does it isolate dissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion?
- Has it worked to ABS or Coast Guard requirements?
- Can it work on-site at a marina, yard, or terminal?
What drives cost
Aluminum welding skill, access to the vessel, corrosion protection, and class or inspection paperwork drive cost.
Metros with strong local demand
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Baltimore, MD
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Cincinnati, OH
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Cleveland, OH
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Detroit, MI
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Green Bay, WI
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Houston, TX
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Jacksonville, FL
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Los Angeles, CA
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Miami, FL
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Boston, MA
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in New Orleans, LA
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Philadelphia, PA
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Pittsburgh, PA
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Seattle, WA
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Tampa, FL
Questions
What should I look for in a marine and aluminum fabricator?
Relevant certifications, finished work similar to yours, the right equipment, and clear documentation. Start with: Does the shop weld aluminum daily, with welders qualified to AWS D1.2?
Where is marine and aluminum fabrication concentrated?
On this site, these metros have strong local demand: Baltimore, MD, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Green Bay, WI, Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Boston, MA, New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA, Tampa, FL.