Aluminum Extrusion
Aluminum extrusions are shapes of aluminum that can be solid, semi-hollow, or hollow. Many everyday products get their form and function from extruded aluminum. They’re used in everything from home appliances to automobiles. Customers value aluminum extrusions for their strength, stability, corrosion resistance, and lightness. Aluminum extrusions make consumer products like patio furniture and speedboats lighter, and also increase the durability of items such as sports equipment.
Advantages of Aluminum Extrusion
Aluminum extrusions have continuously demonstrated to be superior in performance, reliability, and efficiency for a variety of markets–from consumer durables to transportation and from electronics to building and construction.Lightweight
Aluminum is about 1/3 the weight of iron, steel, copper or brass. This makes aluminum extrusions easier to handle, less expensive to ship, and an attractive material for use in applications where weight reduction is a priorityCorrosion resistant
Aluminum extrusions offer excellent corrosion resistance because they do not rust, and the aluminum surface is protected by its own naturally occurring oxide layer.Seamless
Pound-for-pound, aluminum is twice as conductive as copper, making extruded aluminum a cost-effective alternative for electrical connectors and bus bar distribution components.
Aluminum Extrusion Process
1. Prepare Extrusion Die
The first thing to do is to machine a round-shaped die.2. Preheat Aluminum Billet
The next step is to cut the billet, a thick cylindrical block of aluminum alloy, from an elongated log of material.3. Transfer the Billet to the Extrusion Press
After preheating the billet, transfer it into the press mechanically. 4. Push Billet Material into the Extrusion Press Container
The pressure pushes the malleable billet into the container. The aluminum materials then expand to fill the container’s walls.5. Press Up Extruded Material Against the Die
As aluminum material now fills the wall of the container, it gets pressed against the extrusion die. 6. Quench the Extrusions
A puller holds the extrusion in place after emerging. The puller protects it as it exits the press.7. Shear the Extrusions to Table Length
As soon as the extrusion reaches the full table length, shear it using a hot saw. 8. Cool Extrusions to Room Temperature
When the shearing process is done, the extrusions are transferred to a cooling plain from the runout table.9. Move Extrusions to the Finish Saw and Cut
Now that the extrusions are straight and work-hardened, you can transfer them to a saw table. At this point, you can cut them into specific lengths, majorly between 8-21 ft. Aluminum Alloys for Extrusion
HXR uses different grades of aluminum for in different applications, including electronics, consumer goods, aerospace, and automotive. These alloys offer excellent strength, corrosion resistance, formability, and more.
Alloy 6061
6061 aluminum boasts high weldability, toughness, and corrosion resistance, ideal for automotive, marine, and electronic components.Alloy 7075
7075 is often used in aircraft and aerospace applications. This alloy boasts good fatigue strength and average machinability, but may have less corrosion resistance.
Alloy 6063
6063 alloy is heat-treatable, cost-effective, with enhanced corrosion resistance and strength, ideal for heat sinks, trims, and architecture; finer grain than 6061 and finishes well.Alloy 2024
Favored in aerospace for its high strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance. While weldability is limited, 2024 offers good workability and becomes stronger with heat treatment.