Found in abundance in earth's crust is a silver white metal known as aluminium. It is high on strength, low on price, lightweight, and corrosion resistant - making it a much sought after metal in the industrial world.
What Aluminium Extrusion means?
However, it's not aluminium but aluminium extrusions that are most useful in the industrial world. The definition of Aluminium Extrusion in Wikipedia is:
A process used to create objects of a fixed, cross-sectional profile. The two main advantages of this process over other manufacturing processes are its ability to create very complex cross-sections and work with materials that are brittle, because the material only encounters compressive and shear stresses. It also provides excellent surface finish to the finished parts enhancing the appearance significantly. Aluminium is one third the density and rigidity of steel allowing it to be bent into various shapes and casts without compromising on strength and stability.
Aluminium Extrusion Process
The first step of aluminium extrusion is designing of die cast. A good design can go a long way in making an extrusion that is high in quality, provides maximum utility and uses minimum alloy material. Ideally, the company designers should work in sync with die cast and extrusion engineers to come up with the design that offers everything.
The next step after die casting is extrusion, which is done either by using hot chamber or cold chamber process.
In hot chamber extrusion, the material is heated before it is loaded into the chamber where the die is already placed. Pressure is used to push the alloy material out of the die. Liquid nitrogen is sometimes added to prevent formation of oxides in extrusion.
Cold chamber extrusion is carried out at room temperature. Again for pushing out material external pressure is applied. This process gives faster and stronger extrusion and better surface finish compared to hot extrusion process.
Once the extrusion is done, it is cut into desired lengths.
Finally, the extrusions are heated over ageing ovens to speed the ageing of aluminium and in process hardening the extrsion.
Benefits of Aluminium Extrusions
Aluminium extrusions have no welded joints, and are therefore stronger and can be moved around with ease. It also makes assembly of extrusons simpler. In addition, there is smooth surface finish and the design looks attractive. Extrsions are useful in automotive, retail, construction, display, stage setting, marquees and many other sectors.
What about the vendors of Aluminium Extrusion
Today, many companies across the world make aluminium extrusions. Manufacturers having specialized skills must be preferred. For example, well designed dies can save the cost of manufacturing and increase the utility of the extruion. In addition, using right combination of alloys increases utility and improves productivity of machinery where it is placed.
In fact, China is coming up as a major hub for aluminium extrusion manufacturers. Renowned names like P&A International have set up advanced facilities for aluminium extrusios and die casting in China and cater to the requirements of industries all across the globe. Having a set up in China ensures that they have lower total cost of ownership, allowing them to sell their high quality products at affordable rates.
Aluminium extruson is nothing short of revolution in the way machinery works. All that one needs to ensure is that extrusion vendor they choose has the requisite expertise.
