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An Overview Of Aluminium Extrusion

By Donald West


Extrusion is the process whereby objects of cross-sectional profile are created. The process involves a series of complex procedures. Aluminium extrusion is therefore, the process of taking aluminium alloys and shaping them into objects with a cross-sectional profile. Being one of the most abundant elements, it makes up about 8% percent of the earth crust. It has numerous properties such as being ductile and malleable, soft and lightweight. It can also be non-magnetic and has a shiny silvery appearance. Its lightweight nature allows it to be cast, drawn, and extruded.

The process of extruding it is quite complex and involves a number of steps, the first one being designing and creating the shape of die. After the completion of this, an alloy having a cylindrical shape is heated at high temperatures of between 800F and 925F after which it may be transferred to a loader. In order to prevent it from sticking to the extrusion machine, a lubricant is applied.

The next step involves the application of tremendous pressure onto a dummy block. This pressure is responsible for forcing the element into the die. When this element comes into contact with oxygen it tends to form oxides. In order to prevent this, nitrogen either in gaseous or liquid form is passed through sections of a die.

A run-out table allows the extruded material to pass through as a piece that is now the same shape as the die. Cooling fans then cool the metal extrusion created. Once this process is complete, it may be moved to a stretcher where it might be straightened and hardened. They are then placed on the saw table where they are carefully cut into the desired lengths.

The pieces are then taken under a series of heat treatments as the final step takes effect. They are put into age-ovens where they are further hardened. Various adjustments can also be made in the final stage such as color and brightness enhancements. The advantage of this process is that a series of extremely complex shapes and sizes can be created; it also has a fine finish.

There have been a lot of transformations in terms of the growth and development in the extrusion industry. Various new techniques have been employed to enhance the process making it more efficient; thus, producing better quality element, which has many uses. A number of household items get manufactured using the metal. Such items may include watches, utensils just to mention a few. It might also be widely used in the manufacture of food and beverage containers, foils used in wrapping food, walking poles as well as streetlight poles.

As mentioned above, it is lightweight. In addition to this it can be corrosion resistant and also non-flammable. It is these great features that make it the most appropriate material to be used in various industries such as the aerospace, construction, and transport industries. Its ability to conduct both thermal and electrical energies makes it the perfect material to make superconducting lines.

The metal is durable in addition to having an attractive appearance; this is why it is also widely used in making of communication gadgets such as smartphones among others.




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