In the modern world of engineering, designers want to use materials that are light as well as strong, and also corrosion resistant. One of the most popular materials able to tick all these boxes is aluminium. In its extruded form, aluminium can provide designers with the best possible design flexibility.
What are Aluminium Extrusions?
Aluminium extrusions are produced when an alloy bar is pushed through a die. The bars can be a mixture of metals, depending on the requirements of the finished product. They can also be pure aluminium bars. Pushing the alloy bar through a die serves to shape it, so that it matches a certain cross section. The aluminium extrusion then has to be cooled and treated. Once this has been done it can then be processed, machined and worked in various ways. There are a number of standard cross sections that can be produced. Unique profiles (cross-sections) can also be produced, depending on a customers particular needs.
The Benefits of Aluminium Extrusions
Aluminium is a very malleable material and processes such as extrusion do not effect its strength and durability in any way. In fact, it helps to make it more workable and strong, in relation to its weight. It is usual for aluminium to be blended with a range of other metals in order to benefit from their features as well. Aluminium extrusions made using alloys have so many positive features that they can be used for a wide range of different products. The benefits include:
- High conductivity
- Low weight to high strength ratio
- Resistant to corrosion
- Non-magnetic
- Malleable
- Strong and ductile
- Reflective
- Non-combustible and non-sparking
- Seamless
These benefits make aluminium extrusions perfect for use in mining architecture, marine and military, railway stock, air conditioning and radiators. As well as for countless other applications.
Aluminium Extrusions – an Environmentally Friendly Material
A big plus with using aluminium extrusions is that the aluminium is completely recyclable. The recycled material also keeps all the properties of the original material. Which is not like any other recycled metal. Another plus is that the recycling process takes only 5% of the energy used to produce it in the first place. Aluminium is a non-toxic material. This means it can be used in areas where food is prepared and eaten. It can also be used in packaging and a range of household products.
Edmo Limited has been offering aluminium extrusions as one of its services for a number of years. For more information and to see what extrusions can be made you can get in touch.
