“Diamond Standard Brand Parts Group has been working extensively with aluminum for bumper reinforcements and body panels since 2003. The differences in these alloys is quite dramatic and to my knowledge we are the only aftermarket manufacturer of 7000 alloy reinforcements”, said Michael J. O’Neal, President of Diamond Standard.
There are two (2) series of aluminum alloys used in reinforcement bars currently, 6000 alloys with ultimate tensile strength of 45,000 psi and 7000 alloys with ultimate tensile strength of 83,000 psi. It is important that you are cognizant of this when sourcing replacement parts. Diamond Standard has 49 popular exclusive applications of the 7000 alloy currently available.
Diamond Standard Brand Parts Group tests steel and aluminum reinforcement bars at Diamond Standard’s ISO 17025 approved test lab (DSTL) and then submits to MGA Research Corporation in Burlington, WI, for comparative testing and then on to certification.
Diamond Standard Brand Parts can easily be identified in any estimating system by a combination of Partslink Number plus the trademarked suffixes DS, DSN, or DSC.
DS – DSTL and MGA
DSN – DSTL, MGA, and NSF
DSC – DSTL, MGA, and CAPA
O’Neal adds, “Diamond Standard Policy on structural parts continues to be Diamond Standard or OE only. In all parts decisions, you need to trust the manufacturer that you are familiar and confident in and we believe you are best served when you “Look for the DS”.
Diamond Standard Brand Parts are available throughout North America through limited quality distributors, including the AQRP quality assurance program at Keystone, an LKQ Company.
For more information, please contact Geoff Crane, Director of Industry Relations, Diamond Standard Brand Parts Group at [email protected] or by phone (877) 398-5756.
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