Aluminium extrusion is a procedure that involves forcing aluminium alloy material through a die with a specific cross-sectional profile. Aluminium extrusions are available in multiple shapes and sizes which individually get used in a wide array of the verticals of business. However, the usage of aluminium extrusion is diverse and impressive. Thanks to the flexibility of the metal extrusion process pan out heating billets of Aluminium alloy. To soften them it takes special steel dice under which these materials are turned into various shapes with sizable hydraulic pressure. Extrusion is a continual process and can produce up to hundreds and even thousands of feet of extrusion.
A brief about the extrusion process
Let’s start from the scratches then first the billet gets heated around 900˚F. Then it is transferred into a chamber of extrusion. A ram is brought into action to put pressure on the billet pushing the flow through a small outlet at the reverse zone of the chamber. This opening is processed into a dice of tool steel which manufactures multiple random sample of extrusion. Then further it is taken on a lead-out table from where it gets cut into several profiles. Amidst variety of profiles some most popular profiles of extrusion are tubes, square, rectangular, and slide bar. These are basically solid, semi-solid, and hollow in pattern. This article in particular will deal with the distinctive usage of Aluminum extrusion and the benefits across different sectors. Due to its malleable nature fabrication of metal doesn’t cause loss of quality, strength, shine, and corrosion resistance.
Aluminium billets and extrusion tools are preheated in the actual extrusion process. A furnace softens the billet during extrusion even though it is still solid. In most extrusion operations, a billet is heated to temperatures exceeding 700°F (375°C) and depending upon the alloy being extruded - as high as 930°F (500°C). After the press ram begins applying pressure to the billet within the container, the extrusion process begins.
Under pressure, a billet is first crushed by the die, becoming wider and shorter until its expansion is constrained by the container walls. In subsequent pressings, the soft aluminium begins to squeeze through the shaped die until it emerges on the other side as a fully formed profile. During the formation process, the formed profile is cut off during the die-cutting and the remainder of the metal is recycled. In order to increase metallurgical properties and physical properties, the still-hot extrusion may be quenched, mechanically treated, and aged after it leaves the die. Then further it is taken on a lead-out table from where it gets cut into several profiles. Among the variety of profiles, some most popular profiles of extrusion are tubes, square, rectangular, and slide bars. These are solid, semi-solid, and hollow in the pattern. Here, in particular, we will deal with the distinctive usage of aluminium extrusion and the benefits across different sectors.
The global aluminum extrusion market size was valued at USD 87.84 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2022 to 2030.
Let’s find out five unique usages of Aluminium extrusion below:
Transportation: From outer decoration to automotive applications inside a vehicle it is seen an extensive usage of aluminium extrusion. For corrosion-free and lightweight attributes, it’s used in aerospace, recreational vehicles (RV), trucks, buses, etc.
Construction: It is mostly about handling the load. Stiff and light-weight aluminium is ideal for sustaining loads and jolts. Apart from that, railings, balustrades of staircase, ladders, ceilings, and walls are made of Aluminum extrusion. The real estate industry is gaining momentum post-Covid and gradually returning to positive. The industry absorption is likely to be increased in the coming years globally.
Electrical appliances: Electrical appliances, ESP radiators, air conditions, condenser tubes, nuclear reactors, heating-cooling devices of computers, house wiring systems etc. are largely using aluminium extrusion in production.
Packaging: When it comes to metal fabrication aluminium foils are largely used in retail packaging for their lightweight and heat-resistance capacity. Even Pharmaceutical thawing units are made of aluminium extrusion.
Industrial usage: There is a gamut of industrial usage of aluminium extrusion. Aluminium extrusion offers strength, sustainability, corrosion resistance, and anti-fungal components. For said reasons industry usage of aluminium extrusion is much higher than others. Besides, aluminium extrusion dices of general geometric shaped extrusion cost lesser than other materials. Large-scale, pipes, tubes, bars, hex, machines, tools etc. with a total of 40 million tons per year have been manufactured from aluminium extrusion.
These are just some unique applications that have been highlighted in this article. There are countless usage though which can’t be summed up eventually as that extrusion industry is keep on expanding with higher pressure forces by replacing old systems. Similarly, the market appetite is about to up with the growing population across urban areas. The prospect of extrusion industry shows some sunny days in the years to come.
Conclusion
These are just some unique applications that have been highlighted in this write-up. However, there are countless usages which can’t be summed up eventually as the extrusion industry keeps on expanding with higher pressure forces by replacing old systems. Similarly, the market appetite is about to up with the growing population across urban areas. The prospect of the extrusion industry shows some sunny days in the years to come.
March 14, 2022