Aluminum Extrusion

Extrusion is the process in which you mold different materials from their raw shape into the fine finished form in order to use it for further purposes. Aluminum is a silvery white metal, which is the ductile member of a very weak metal group. It is a very weak chemical metal. It is the most abundant metal found in the earth crust. Earth solid weight holds 8% of aluminum in it. Aluminum extrusion is the process in which the natural aluminum is extruded into various forms in order to form other finished goods. Aluminum extrusions are carried out in order to obtain aluminum goods for instance tracks, rails and frames. Aluminum in the form of billet is pushed into the die process in order to form the desire shape required further. The hollow section of the aluminum is extruded by the use of pin or piercing mandrel and placing them inside the die. The require pressure is sometime used for internal cavities.

Aluminum extrusion may be a continuous or semi-continuous process in order to produce different long bars of aluminum. Aluminum extrusion is required as 50% of the extruded aluminum is further used to form different finished goods. Aluminum extrusion is domestically and industrially used in order to form different windows, window frames, doors and frames of building structure. Aluminum extrusion requires high pressures, low extrusion process, and high energy level. AIMgSi series hold the biggest share in extrusion market. Structural aluminum extrusion holds different parts that are combined in order to get an extruded aluminum. These parts are:

1. Main Cylinder- this is the main chamber in which the hydraulic fluid is used to generate ram pressure and movement.
2. Hydraulic Pressure- this pressure is very essential to move the ram forward.
3. Ram- it is the main steel rod part which actually applies pressure to the billet. It has a dummy block on the end.
4. Dummy Block- it is a tight block attaches to the stem of the ram and is made up of steel.
5. Billet- it is an aluminum piece or log cut, which is required in the extrusion in order to cut the aluminum into desire shape and size.
6. Container- the container is lined in liner form, which holds the billet. The aluminum pressed from die reaches to other end and then enters into container.
7. Tool Stack: it is a Die Assembly part which is solid in nature. It holds die ring, die backer, bolster and sub bolster when in solid form and in hollow form it holds die ring, die mandrel, die bolster, die cap and die sub bolster.
8. Die Holder- it is the tool stack of the container.
9. Die Lock- die locks lock the die in the die holder.
10. Billet Oven-it is often known as log-oven. It presses the components by the use of require heat.
11. Log Shear is the part of extrusion, which is used to cut logs into required billet length.
12. Butt Shear- this part removes the unenthused part of the aluminum after the extrusion cycle is completed. This unenthused part is then pushed back for the further process.
13. Die Oven- as the name shows that these are the place where aluminum is heated up to 750° - 900° F maximum for 4 to 6 hours. This shows the energy consumption in aluminum extrusion.

Anodized aluminum extrusion is the process in which the aluminum is anodized and extruded in order to make it thicker and more refine. It forms the thick layer of the natural oxide on the upper layer of the aluminum. Anodizing avoids corrosion and allows better paint on the aluminum and thus suitable in all weather. Therefore, anodized aluminum extrusion is used as windows, doors and house frames.