MOBILITY

Aluminium Wheelchairs Offer Lightweight Mobility

For many disabled people, a wheelchair is a vital part of daily life. With so much of their mobility reliant on the device, choosing the right one is an important decision for both the patient and their caretakers.
7 June, 2016
Conversely, choosing a wheelchair that does not fit the patient's daily needs can create serious (but avoidable) limitations. For many individuals with limited mobility, a lightweight wheelchair is an excellent choice.
Lightweight wheelchairs are usually far easier to manoeuvre and propel than heavier ones, which can be a huge help to any caretaker responsible for handling one. They are often referred to as transport or transit wheelchairs and can feature either two large rear wheels (and two smaller front wheels) or four smaller wheels.

Transport wheelchairs are primarily defined by their weight, which can be anywhere in the region of 15-35 pounds. These lightweight wheelchairs come in either folding or rigid models—while rigid chairs can be especially light, folding chairs can be collapsed to allow them to be stored in a smaller space. Some models even allow for the removal of the wheels, reduce the required storage space further. This can be exceptionally convenient if a chair is only needed on an occasional basis.
One major limiting factor for wheelchair purchasers is cost. While titanium is a popular material for lightweight wheelchair construction, it can prove expensive. Aluminium, on the other hand, offers an excellent (and affordable) alternative.

The mechanical properties of aluminium make it an excellent choice for a wheelchair frame. The metal offers the dual advantages of high strength and light weight, which are as valuable to wheelchair manufacturers as they are to the automakers and aviation engineers who use aluminium to cut fuel use and emissions. Indeed, Paralympic athletes ride in aluminium-framed racing wheelchairs in order to maximize speed and durability; British firm Draft designed and custom built several of these chairs for competitors in the London 2012 Paralympics. As an added bonus, aluminium is an easier material for manufacturers to work with.
The aluminium alloy generally employed in wheelchair construction is 6061-T6, which combines aluminium with magnesium and silicon. When referring to aluminium alloys (which can be classified as either casting or wrought), the initially four-digit number refers to the elements aluminium has been alloyed with (in this case, 6XXX representing magnesium and silicon). Invacare's Top End Crossfire T6 wheelchair, for example, is built out of 6061-T6. Despite weighing less than 20 lb (9 kg), the wheelchair is capable of supporting up to 250 lb (113 kg) of weight. Karman Healthcare, for its part, bills the 6061-T6 aluminium alloy used in its KM-802F as aircraft grade.

eBay's wheelchair buying guide explains the benefits in this way:

Their light weight, durability and easy manoeuvrability make aluminium wheelchairs the go-to material for manufacturers and wheelchair users alike. Aluminium wheelchairs come in a variety of types, with the customisation options increasing the scope of options available for the wheelchair user, allowing for greater freedom of movement and independence.
Aluminium Wheelchair Buying Guide
eBay.com
Using high quality aluminium means that the chair can be manoeuvred easily without compromising on strength or responsiveness. This is particularly important in the case of self-propelled chairs with two large rear wheels. If a sitter relies on his or her own corporal strength is moving the chair, it is vital that that chair moves freely and easily. The heavier a chair is, the more effort will be required to move it. The weight discrepancy makes itself most obviously felt when comparing aluminium wheelchairs to competing steel models.
Karman KM-802F
Source: Karman Healthcare
Invacare Top End Crossfire T6
Source: Top End Wheelchair
Fortunately for buyers, aluminium wheelchairs do not corrode or rust easily. They can be fitted with a range of features to make a more comfortable environment for the user, and they can also be painted to allow the user to bring their own personality to the fore. Customisation options include adjustable frames to alter the angle of the seat back to create different seating positions and desk-length armrests that allow users to get closer to desks and tables. In addition to this, most models are supplied with easily removable swing-away footrests to provide leg support while seated.