Aluminum extrusion is the technique used to transform aluminum alloys into objects with a pre-designed cross-sectional profile. Thanks to aluminum malleability characteristic that it is easily softened and cast, yet no change in its mechanical properties.
For those who new to extrusion process; it is similar to kids dough, forced through the press and flows through the opening fitted with a particular die shape.
The process of Aluminum Extrusion
– Die is the critical point of the process. Die has to be made of in required tool steel type since it is the component which is subjected to the most severe thermal influence and which is also most highly stressed. In the design phase, it is necessary to make proper allowance for shrinkage, elastic deformation, the nature of the profile section and the highly uneven velocity distribution when extruding complicated profiles.
– Aluminum billets are heated to the required temperature depending upon the alloy type (375°C-500°C)
– Extrusion process begins when the hydraulic press exerts pressure on the billet. As pressure applied, the soft (still solid) billet fills the container and after filling the container volume, it then begins to squeeze out through the die within the geometry of it.
– The billet now becomes a profile as the same shape as the die opening. The profile is then pulled to the cooling area to down the temperature of the aluminum.
– The hardened profiles are then transferred to the sawing platform to cut according to the required lengths.
– The final step is the heat treatment to hardening the aluminum by speeding the aging process.