Aluminum extrusion or extrusion operation (Extrusion process) is a process during which aluminum alloy enters a machine, under deformation and force deformation and in the form of new outputs in various required forms. These new tools come in a variety of shapes and sizes for industrial and home use. In fact, these types of tools are considered as new tools called profiles. Profiles are the backbone of connections.
To make this type of new tool, there are molds called die to shape the raw material and input, which is aluminum, into the desired output. To better understand the subject, we can think that a substance in a can with a series of circles comes out in the form of a cylinder, and the same substance in a container with a square series, delivers a rectangular cube, and so on. Arranging a star-shaped series delivers a long-length product whose cross-section is star-shaped.
The general shape of the extruder is such that the inlet chamber, the ROM, the metal block or billet, the mold and finally the outlet duct form a single assembly. Before doing anything, the raw material called billet here must be prepared for work, and for this purpose, its temperature is raised to 400 to 500 degrees Celsius. This makes it as flexible as needed. Then they are applied to the billet as well as to the lubricating ram so that they can be easily separated after work and do not stick to each other. After the preparation of the billet is completed, it is taken into the machine to be deformed. While the ROM is pressing, the billet material moves towards the mold and the outlet valve to come out of it as desired.
During the process, the ROM is actually a pressure lever that transfers force and pressure to the billet to enter the container. The mold or die determines the shape of the billet output, and finally the billet comes out of the machine in the form of the desired output in the form of a long tube. Lastly, the output product is cut to fit the desired shape and size of the profile. Finally, the final payment is made to have the desired appearance and quality profile. Anodizing aluminum, for example, increases its corrosion resistance and prepares it for painting in a variety of colors. Other operations such as painting, coating or powder, sandblasting or sanding and polishing are also performed to finalize the appearance and quality of the profile.
But during this work it is not just the deformation of the aluminum that is desired; Rather, by changing the process steps, it is possible to achieve a product with special features that do not normally exist and are the best option for a specific consumption. The application of these extrudes can be named architecture and construction, automotive industry, transportation, aerospace and electronics industry
There are three types of general extrusion in appearance. Including:
- Solid extruded solid without any cavities and enclosed areas, only with open tabs
- Hollow extrusion with one or more cavities; Pipe residue with square or rectangular cross section
- Semi-hollow extrusion, including sections with open pores or narrow slits; Like Figure C
Of course, the shapes of extruded aluminum profiles are almost infinite and various factors and factors in the formation of these profiles create variety, such as:
- Size and dimensions
- The shape
- Construction angle
- Alloy
- Extrusion ratio: the surface of the metal block or ingot (billet) to the surface of the shape
- Tab ratio: the width of the opening to its depth
- Tolerance
- Output product payment, to improve the final appearance
- Weight index per meter, which determines the amount of extruded pressure
Types of extruded aluminum profiles
Profiles are made based on circular and square shapes and derive their shapes from the derivatives of these two geometric shapes. In fact, the main shape of the tube coming out of the device is one of the two geometric shapes of curved or angled. For this reason, by changing the original shape of the main rings of aluminum extruders, the profiles take the shape of L or T or U or C or a variety of other shapes. As a result, for easier identification, the profiles are categorized and named according to their appearance, and in this way, they are made according to the world standard.
One of the extruded aluminum profiles is J profiles. J or starter profiles, with their curved shape that looks like the letter J, while providing high security of the installation connection; Provide clean, professional and fast installation. They are also easy to install with the tools available. The fractures and the length of the smooth part of the J profile are reminiscent of the shape of the letter J, but with 90-degree angles and sharp corners. These mounting clamps, with their anti-corrosion properties, have a long life and are a solution for long-term installation.
Another type of extrusion is clips that are designed to hold a variety of frames and bear the weight. Clip profiles come in a variety of shapes and usually have grooves and bends on one or both sides to provide a stronger connection medium. They are then mounted on the piece through screws or other tools through holes made in the profile. Clip profiles can be produced in two types of middle clips and lower clips. These two types of clips are different in appearance and the name given to them speaks about the location of the clips between the parts.
Another common extruded aluminum profile is the E-shaped profile. The visual shape of these types of profiles has a wider variety than the same shape of the letter E; In such a way that the grooves and ridges, or the space between the tabs, do not exactly correspond to the letter E, but in general the general shape of the profile is reminiscent of the same letter. E-profiles are also known as Perimeter Extrusion.
Finally, it can be said that high conductivity, corrosion resistance, recyclability and reuse without loss of quality are examples of the intrinsic properties of aluminum that make aluminum profiles a popular and reliable product.