An aluminum extrusions manufacturers directory including aluminum tubing, aluminum shapes, aluminum extruded shapes, custom extrusions, aluminum extruders, extruded aluminum tubing, extruded aluminum bar, extruded aluminum profile, aluminum t-slot, extruded tubing, custom aluminum extrusions, aluminum extruded rods, and custom metal extrusions.

Aluminum Extrusion Types and Terms

Types of Aluminum Extrusions

• Aluminum extruded shapes can be customized for almost any application. Standard shapes include angles, channels and tubing.
  
• Extruded aluminum is molded with dies into specific shapes.
  
• Extruded aluminum channels provide clean, straight installation of anything from boat dock ladders to doorframes.
  
• Extruded aluminum profiles are lightweight, have high rigidity and often have anodized surfaces. Extruded aluminum profiles are used for applications such as floor frames and tracks along which machinery runs.
  
• Extruded aluminum tubing is heavy-duty and very strong but still flexible enough to withstand windy conditions.
  
• Metal extrusions are created using hot extrusion or cold forming, and commonly made of semi-soft metals, such as lead, tin, aluminum alloys, copper, titanium, etc., which are less expensive to extrude then high-strength alloys.
  
• T-slotted aluminum extrusions can be used in building most anything but are commonly seen in enclosures, cabinets, shelving, machine guarding systems, industrial workstations, office partitions, computer server racks, trade show exhibits, material handling and robotics.

Aluminum Extrusion Terms

6000 Aluminum Series – An aluminum alloy that is very simple to maintain and remains stable under a wide variety of temperature and pressure conditions.
 
6061 Aluminum Series – The most commonly available, heat-treatable aluminum alloy that is easily cold-worked and formed in the annealed condition by stamping, bending, spinning and deep drawing. The 6061 aluminum series is typically used in the manufacturing of heavy-duty corrosive resistant structures, truck and marine components, railroad cars, furniture, tank fittings, general structural and high pressure applications, wire products and in pipelines.
 
6063 Aluminum Series – An aluminum alloy that may be heat treated for strengthening, has average machinability and good forming ability (both hot and cold) and is readily welded by all conventional methods. The 6063 aluminum series is typically used in the manufacturing of furniture, windows, stair rails and other architectural applications.
 
Aging – Also called “precipitation heat-treating,” it is a process that naturally or artificially induces changes in aluminum alloy properties. Natural aging occurs at room temperature, while artificial aging occurs in an oven at higher, controlled temperatures, quickening the pace.
 
Alloy – A compound consisting of either multiple metals or a metal and a nonmetal blended together. An aluminum alloy consists of aluminum and at least one other element, but usually consists of a combination of elements such as zinc and silicon.
 
Alumina – A compound of aluminum oxide obtained from bauxite during the production of aluminum.
 
Aluminum Oxide – A hard mineral formed from the chemical reaction between oxygen and aluminum. The creation of aluminum oxide on the surface of a metal prevents future occurrences of oxidation.
 
Bauxite – The primary ore from which aluminum originates. Four pounds of bauxite produces one pound of aluminum.
 
Billet – In aluminum extrusion, a solid- or hollow-heated aluminum material forced under pressure through a die in an extrusion press to form an aluminum extrusion. Average billet lengths range from 26 to 72 inches.
 
Blister – A raised area (bubble) on the surface of an extruded product caused by gas expansion below the surface, which occurred during extrusion or thermal treatment.
 
Bright Dipping – A chemical polishing process of aluminum that yields a mirror-shiny, highly reflective surface, typically with the use of a mixture of nitric acid and phosphoric acid. Bright dipping is commonly followed by the anodizing process in order to protect the surface and provide a choice of colors.
 
Caustic – An alkaline substance, usually consisting of sodium hydroxide, used in the removal of aluminum from an extrusion die.
 
Chatter – Uneven imperfections in an aluminum extrusion characterized by ridge and depressions, which produce a wavy appearance.
 
Cold Working – The process in which properties of an aluminum alloy, such as strength and hardening, are manipulated through the subjection of the alloy to low temperatures.
 
Cryogenic – A term referring to very low temperatures. Aluminum becomes stronger as the temperature decreases, making it an ideal material for cryogenic applications.
 
Die – The opening, formed to resemble the shape needed, in an extrusion press through which aluminum is pushed under pressure to form an extruded shape.
 
Die Lines – Lengthwise depressions or protuberances resulting from friction produced as the aluminum flows through the die bearing.
 
Heatsink – A metal device that uses convection or forced air in order to cool processors and other components.
 
Heat-treatable Alloy – An aluminum alloy that obtains added strength and hardening through cycles of heating and cooling.
 
Hot Tears – Lengthwise extrusion imperfections resulting from high speed and temperature.
 
Non-heat-treatable Alloy – An aluminum alloy that obtains added strength and hardness through cold working and aging, as opposed to cycles of heating and cooling.
 
Oxide – A compound created through the chemical reaction between oxygen and another element.
 
Stretch Straightening – Pulling or stretching of aluminum extruded parts past the yield strength of the extrusion in order to make them straighter.
 
Yield Strength – The maximum amount of stress that can be applied to an object, such as an aluminum extrusion, without changing the dimensions of the object. The increase of stress past the yield strength of the object results in its permanent deformation.