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Even when we’re away from work we can’t help noticing fabricated structures all over. Whether we’re loading a trailer, located on bleachers or contemplating a canopy for any boat, metal fabrications will almost always be on the mind

Aluminum Extrusion is All Around

Many of those fabrications, just like the three just listed, use extruded aluminum section. As you may have noticed, we’re fans of the material. That’s given it simplifies fabrication assembly while improving strength and stiffness. It’s also lightweight, corrosion-resistant and good-looking. (You can polish it with a shine, anodize it, coat it or paint it.)

These properties allow it to be perfect for a variety of applications. The truth is you could be surprised to find out exactly how many uses of extrusion there are. We’ll list many of the most common ones below, first of all, it will be helpful to explain what extrusions are and how they’re produced.

Extrusion Process Basics

Once we say a material was extruded we mean it turned out pushed via a hole or opening to be released being a long length using a uniform cross-section. Some call it the toothpaste process, because squeezing the white, or stripey, paste from the tube is extrusion.

Extruding aluminum is a little more complex, although the idea is similar. A billet of aluminum is first heated to 900°F before being loaded in to a chamber in a extrusion press. A ram applies pressure for the billet, forcing it circulation by having a small opening at the opposite end with the chamber. This opening, that’s machined into a block of tool steel, creates the cross-section or profile that the aluminum represents.

Extrusion can be a continuous procedure that can produce plenty of feet of extrusion. (Confusingly, extruded material is often called “extrusion” just like the process.)

Extruded aluminum emerges from your die at a minimum of 900°F and moves onto a “leadout” table. Here it’s cut to length and quickly moved view of the material that simply keeps on coming. Then it cools on the “stretching” table before being cut down to lengths suitable for shipping.

Extrusion Profiles

One of the popular features of the extrusion process could it be can create a nearly limitless selection of profiles. These are classed as solid, hollow and semi-hollow.

Square, rectangular and round bar include the least complicated profiles and therefore are samples of solid extrusions. Hollows are essentially tubes, square, round, rectangular or other shape. Since the name implies, the profile completely encloses an empty space.

For semi-hollow extrusion, picture a “C” shape. It’s closed almost all of the way round with just a small opening inside the profile.

In general, extruded aluminum has great dimensional stability. Semi-hollow section shows probably the most variability, although still almost no, due to a tendency to open out slightly.

Why Use Aluminum Extrusion?

Aluminum can be a fascinating material with characteristics which render it especially useful whenever low weight, corrosion-resistance, strength, appearance or thermal or electrical conductivity are important. Extrusion gives it whatever cross-section is desired, which can incorporate a host of useful features. Tee-slots for holding nuts captive are certainly one example, stiffening ribs another.

Another time favor of extrusion is cost. Extrusion dies are much less costly than others for molding or casting, and could be stated in a lot less time. Additionally, the procedure itself is relatively inexpensive to operate.

Common Uses of Extruded Aluminum

Producing a report on the most notable 10 applications means debating definitions and whether or not to use tons, yards or dollars. We argue enough as it is, so we’ve just gone having an alphabetical list drawn from what we should know.

Architecture and Construction

This group of applications varies from railings and balustrades to building facades and bleachers. Stiff and lightweight aluminum section is ideal for applications like canopies the location where the structure can’t weigh much but must handle lots. (High stiffness means you need less of it, which translates to more weight-saving.) It’s also employed for suspended ceilings along with walls.

It will be a stretch to include it being built, but a majority of ladders are made from aluminum extrusion.

Display equipment

Nearly all stand you’ve experienced in a trade event or exhibition was developed with extruded material. That’s because extruded section may be designed so pieces interlock, making assembly quick and easy. It’s very easy to move around too, therefore it may be finished a variety of ways for a nice-looking and sturdy appearance.

In the same vein, point-of-sale displays, mirrors and display cabinets is also another instances of aluminum extrusion useful for display.

Electrical Systems

As it’s a good conductor, extruded aluminum is sometimes used for busbars and related electrical equipment. Another application is in lighting. Modern LED fixtures specifically can have thermal management challenges. Aluminum extruded with fins makes an excellent radiator or heat exchanger, is easily mounted to and colored, and doesn’t weigh an excessive amount of when mounted overhead.

One third electrical example could be the usage of aluminum extrusion in photovoltaic (solar) panel support structures. These need strength and corrosion-resistance, as well as low mass, specially in the the event of roof-mounted panels.

Industrial

Walk through any factory, and you’re almost certain to see aluminum extrusion being used. It’s the material of choice for equipment like workbenches, inspection tables and carts because it’s easy to cut and drill, lightweight yet stiff, and good value-for-money. What’s more, it contains the added attraction to be extendible: if your workbench needs modifying that’s quickly done.

Within the same factories you’ll often also see extrusion used to create frames for machine guarding. It goes together quickly and can be fitted with Lexan panels for a clear view while protecting people working nearby.

Transportation

Weight and lightweighting are big concerns in transportation. Aerospace is surely an obvious example, but then there are automotive applications like trailers. Keeping trailer weight low lets the tow vehicle expend more torque on hauling stuff and fewer on moving the trailer itself. Note that is generally just as much to horse and boat trailers because it does to 53’ semi trailers.

Aluminum extrusion is employed extensively in RV’s for a similar reason. Additionally it won’t rust and can be polished as much as look just like chrome, so it’s good for decoration too.

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