What Is Aluminum Extrusion?
Aluminum extrusion is the process by which a billet of metal is forced through a die by a hydraulic ram to create a desired shape. Aluminum can be extruded through either a hot or cold process. The popularity of aluminum extrusions is unmatched by other alloys, and continues to meet all new manufacturing needs and environmental guidelines. Types General extrusion occurs in both a hot and a cold process. The functional difference between the hot, or direct, extrusion process and the cold, or indirect, process occurs in the placement of the billet and the ram. In the direct process, the billet remains stationary and the ram forces it through the die. In the indirect process, it is the die that remains stationary and is pushed by the ram into the billet. In both methods, hardening of the extruded aluminum can take place either at a naturally-cooling room temperature or by adding additional heat treating. Identification While both methods of extrusion are used for various alloys, aluminum
