What is aluminum extrusion?

Aluminum extrusion

                                                      Aluminium profile production

                                       Extrusion process

Extrusion is a process whcih be used in the production of aluminium profiles that makes it possible to create many new possibilities with respect to the construction and design of the profiles.

It seems like squeezing toothpaste out of a toothpaste tube.

The process resembles squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. The toothpaste is a heated, cylindrical aluminium block also called a billet while the toothpaste tube is the so-called die tool. As you can see in the figure, the billet (pre-heated in an induction furnace to 450-500 degrees Celsius) is pushed through the tooling at which the profile is brought to the desired shape.

When the profile leaves the tooling, it is cooled with water or air, after which the profiles are drawn while they are still "soft". This removes any tension build-up in the aluminium while the desired and correct profile dimensions are achieved. The profiles are then cut and afterwards given their final strength by being subjected either to heat and or to cold hardening. 

The process of alumium extrusion

• After designing and creating the shape of the die, a cylindrical billet of aluminum alloy is heated to 800°F-925°F.

• The aluminum billet is then transferred to a loader, where a lubricant is added to prevent it from sticking to the extrusion machine, the ram or the handle.

• Substantial pressure is applied to a dummy block using a ram, which pushes the aluminum billet into the container, forcing it through the die.

• To avoid the formation of oxides, nitrogen in liquid or gaseous form is introduced and allowed to flow through the sections of the die. This creates an inert atmosphere and increases the life of the die.

• The extruded part passes onto a run-out table as an elongated piece that is now the same shape as the die opening. It is then pulled to the cooling table where fans cool the newly created aluminum extrusion.

• When the cooling is completed, the extruded aluminum is moved to a stretcher, for straightening and work hardening.

• The hardened extrusions are brought to the saw table and cut according to the required lengths.

• The final step is to treat the extrusions with heat in age ovens, which hardens the aluminum by speeding the aging process.

Today, aluminum extrusion is used for a wide range of purposes, including components of the International Space Station. These diverse applications are possible due to the advantageous attributes of aluminum, from its particular blend of strength and ductility to its conductivity, its non-magnetic properties and its ability to be recycled repeatedly without loss of integrity. All of these capabilities make aluminum extrusion a viable and adaptable solution for an growing number of manufacturing needs.

Check this link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrusion

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