Metal extrusion

aluminum

Extrusion process explained Extrusion is realized by pushing material through a fix die within a high pressure press. The output will be extrusion bars with a cross-sectional profile, shaped almost as a negative of the die or dies for complex shapes. Material is usually heated (around 400°C for aluminum) before entering the press in order to facilitate part shaping. Bars are usually extruded to 12m long, but longer or shorter ones may be available for specific usages. The parts extruded will have a constant cross-sectional shape all along its length. Heat treatment may be done after extrusion to remove stress from the profiles. Profiles finishing Next to the extrusion of the profiles, several additional operations can be conducted: – Cutting along the lenght of width of the profiles. – Drilling /thread drilling of holes along the profiles – Machining for complementary shapes that cannot be done by extrusion only. – Deburring – Surface treatment (mostly anodisation for aluminum)