The Aluminium Extrusion Process

The extrusion process consists initially of heating an Aluminium billet weighing up to 48kg to a temperature of approximately 500°C. Whilst still in a hot malleable state the billet is placed in a steel container and pushed through a steel die by means of an hydraulic ram capable of exerting over 1600 tonnes of pressure. The billet is forced through the die, emerging as Aluminium extrusions.

The emerging extruded section is cooled as it is guided along a moving runout table. It is then subjected to a stretching process which straightens the length produced. Finally the section is cut to the length specified by the customer and may then go through a further heat treatment operation, depending upon the properties required.