Aluminum Extrusions Industry Information
IQS Newsroom Articles on Aluminum Extrusions
Aluminum extrusions are linear aluminum products highly
valued in a wide spectrum of structural applications due to aluminum`s
high strength-to-weight ratio and the cost effectiveness of the metal
extrusion process. Like other types of metal extrusions, extruded
aluminum is either hot extruded or cold extruded through a die, shaping
aluminum stock into various types of extruded aluminum shapes, such as angles and beams, aluminum channels, aluminum profiles or aluminum extruded tubing. Aluminum channels, shapes and profiles are both strong and lightweight, making them perfect for structural applications such as light poles, building and window frames, lighting fixtures, car bumpers, hardware joints, trim,
and many other uses in construction, industrial and automotive
industries. Shapes and channels can be extruded into complex, precision
tolerance shapes to interlock with other aluminum channels or
structures, or they may be extruded into heat sinks
for cooling electronics, refrigerators and heat engines. Because
aluminum is strong, rust and temperature resistant, easily fabricated
and 100% recyclable, aluminum and aluminum alloy extrusions are often
the first choice in building or structural materials.
The number of industries
which use aluminum extrusions is both extensive and diverse. Extruded
aluminum channels make great components for automotive and
transportation construction, as it is light and corrosion resistant;
aluminum channels and profiles are used in trains, SUVs, semi trucks
and cars as panels, window panes, runners and bumpers. Machinery and
industrial equipment such as scaffolding, process and mining equipment
use extruded aluminum tubing, shapes and profiles as lightweight,
durable equipment components, while many types of office and hospital
furniture use aluminum tubing and channels in their construction. The
building,
architectural
and construction industries use aluminum profiles extensively, whether
it be for structural and ceiling beams or for decorative trim and
window paneling. Capable of being extruded through complex dies into
close-tolerance shapes, small extruded aluminum shapes are frequently
fabricated into medical and electronics components such as
heat-absorbing and dissipating heat sinks.
The
process of extruding aluminum may use "hot extrusion", "warm extrusion"
or "cold extrusion", each of which have their own benefits and
drawbacks. In order for stock aluminum to be formed into tubing,
channels, shapes or profiles, round aluminum stock called "billet", or
"logs" are pressed by a ram through a die, which is a hollow profile
that shapes the aluminum into a specific extruded shape as the billet
is squeezed through. Direct extrusion holds the die stationary while
the ram forces the aluminum alloy through the die opening, while
indirect extrusion holds the die stationary as the hollow ram moves
into the stationary billet from one end, forcing the metal to flow
through the die. The temperature of both the billet and the die are
crucial for uniform extrusions. In cold extruding, aluminum billet is
pressed through the die at room temperature or near room temperature,
yielding close-tolerance components with high strength and a good
surface with minimal finishing required. Warm extruding, or forging, is
done on billets brought to temperature ranges between 800 and 1800
degrees F, with ideal ranges being between 1,000 and 1,330 degrees;
these temperatures remain below material recrystallization
temperatures, enhancing billets` ductility while keeping the material
solid. Warm extruded aluminum requires less ram force (and energy) and
often requires no secondary heat treatment. Hot extrusions are
performed on aluminum which has been fully plasticized by heat and is
often performed in a vacuum to avoid oxidation. After a shape or
channel has been extruded, it is straightened by a stretcher.
Although
the process of extracting aluminum ore from the Earth`s surface is
relatively costly, aluminum has a far longer service life than most
metals and may be fully recycled while retaining 100% of the material`s
original properties. Using aluminum extrusions in transportation often
saves on carbon emissions, as aluminum is a far lighter metal than its
alternatives, such as steel; aluminum combines stainless steel`s
beneficial properties of corrosion resistance and strength with 1/3 the
weight. Aluminum is easily formed and machined and is an excellent
conductor and reflector of heat, making it an ideal material for heat
shielding applications such as heat sinks. As the recycling industry
expands its capabilities to recycling a broader range of aluminum
parts, large aluminum extruding and manufacturing companies are also
beginning to invest in aluminum recycling. Recycling aluminum requires
only 20% the amount of energy used by acquiring virgin materials; this
energy savings is converted into a significant cost savings by aluminum
extruders who use recycled aluminum materials.
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