Linear aluminum extrusion products are used in a vast array of structural applications, and in a long list of industries, because it is cost-effective to produce and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum is the second most commonly used metal, following steel, and much of it is made into channels.
Forming aluminum into channels, shapes, tubing or profiles involves taking round aluminum stock, called a billet or log, pressing it through a die, and creating the specific shape. The die is a steel tool with one or more openings in the specific shape of the profile wanted.
Temperature is Key
Uniform extrusions require both the billet and the die to be at very specific temperatures.
- Room temperature: When aluminum billet and die are at or near room temperature this is called cold extruding, which results in good surface quality, high strength and close-tolerance components that require little finishing.
- Warm and hot Extrusion: When aluminum is between 800 and 1800 degrees F, it doesn’t need as much energy or ram force to push the billet through the die. Warm extrusion is also called forging, as the aluminum remains solid but ductile.
- Hot extrusion: Aluminum that has been completely plasticized is extruded in a vacuum to avoid oxidization.
- Cooling process: Fans or water spray is used to cool the extruded aluminum at the proper rate.
Stretching
Lengths of the cooled extruded aluminum are transferred to a cooling table where they are mechanically stretched, then cut into 6 – 30 foot lengths.
Aging
While extruded aluminum will age naturally, the process is speeded up in an artificial “aging” process, where they are heated once again, or “cooked”, in a very large oven for up to 8 hours.
Results
Corrosion resistant, lightweight and strong extruded aluminum products like aluminum channels, profiles and shapes are common in structural applications like light fixtures, vehicle bumpers, window and building frames, and many other uses in automotive, industrial or construction industries.
Aluminum channels, for example, are widely used in transportation and automotive construction, to make parts for cars, semi trucks, sport utility vehicles or trains. In machinery and industrial equipment they’re used to make scaffolding. Channels and tubing are used to make hospital and office furniture, ceiling beams or window paneling and decorative trim. Small extruded aluminum shapes are often made into heat-absorbing and dissipating heat sinks for medical and electronics components.
Eagle Mouldings provides custom aluminum extrusions with a variety of finishes. For more than 20 years, they have delivered custom extrusions and light fabrication services such as punching, cutting, welding, brushing, and more.
