After designing and creating the shape of the die, a cylindrical billet of aluminum alloy is heated to 800°F-925°F. The aluminum billet is then transferred to a loader, where a lubricant is added to prevent it from sticking to the extrusion machine, the ram or the handle.
Substantial pressure is applied to a dummy block using a ram, which pushes the aluminum billet into the container, forcing it through the die.
To avoid the formation of oxides, nitrogen in liquid or gaseous form is introduced and allowed to flow through the sections of the die. This creates an inert atmosphere and increases the life of the die.
The extruded part passes onto a run-out table as an elongated piece that is now the same shape as the die opening. It is then pulled to the cooling table where fans cool the newly created aluminum extrusion.
When the cooling is completed, the extruded aluminum is moved to a stretcher, for straightening and work hardening.
The hardened extrusions are brought to the saw table and cut according to the required lengths to finish aluminum extrusions shapes.
The final step is to treat the extrusions with heat in age ovens, which hardens the aluminum by speeding the aging process.
Additional complexities may be applied during this process to further customize the extruded parts. For example, to create hollow sections, pins or piercing mandrels are placed inside the aluminum extrusion mold. After the extrusion process, a variety of options are available to adjust the color, texture, and brightness of the aluminum’s finish. This may include aluminum anodizing or painting.
