Aluminium extrusion, one of deformation production, is a means of shaping aluminum profile.
Aluminum is considered one of the most economical and practical materials for various applications. To make aluminum a structural material, aluminum alloys are created by strengthening the aluminum through the addition of alloy elements and heat treatment. Both deformation and casting are aluminum processing methods. Aluminium extrusion, a type of deformation processing, is a means of shaping aluminum profiles. The process begins with designing and manufacturing molds according to the cross-section of aluminium profile product, then using the molds to extrude the heated ingot through an extruder.
Aluminum and aluminum alloy numbering is mainly divided into eight series:
International standards:
- 1XXX: Pure aluminum series with over 99% purity, such as 1050
- 2XXX: Aluminum-copper alloy series, such as 2014
- 3XXX: Aluminum-manganese alloy series, such as 3003
- 4XXX: Aluminum-silicon alloy series, such as 4032
- 5XXX: Aluminum-magnesium alloy series, such as 5052
- 6XXX: Aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy series, such as 6063
- 7XXX: Aluminum-zinc alloy series, such as 7001
Each aluminum alloy series has unique compositions, heat treatment processes, and processing forms, resulting in distinct properties, including different anodized properties. For instance, the 1XXX series offers the lowest strength, while the 7XXX series has the highest.
6000 series aluminium alloy, known as the "aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy," is a heat-treatable aluminum alloy with good corrosion resistance, strength, and uniformity. Aluminum extrusion profiles made from the 6000 series are popular in various projects. Below are some commonly used 6-series alloys and their applications:
- 6005: Extruded profiles and tubes for ladders, TV antennas, TV transmission frames, etc.
- 6009: Sheet for automobile body
- 6061: Used in battery covers, semiconductor equipment components, aircraft fixtures, valve bodies, automotive parts, model car chassis, bicycle accessories, boats, trams, furniture, mechanical parts, pipes, rods, and plates for precision processing.
- 6063: Extruded materials for buildings, vehicles, stands, furniture, fences, etc.
- 6066: Forged and welded structural extruded materials.
- 6068: Used in floor of refrigerated containers, truck frame components, superstructure parts of boat, railway vehicle structural parts, large truck structures, and other mechanical structural components.
- 6070: Extruded materials and tubes for heavy-duty welded structures and automotive industries.
- 6082: Used in manufacturing aircraft landing pads, small boats, building components, bicycles, automotive parts, optical instruments, railway vehicle aluminum materials, electrical accessories, valves, and valve parts.
- 6101: High-strength bars for buses, electrical conductors and heat dissipation equipment, high-strength electrical bus bars, rigid overhead conductor-rails, various conductive materials, etc.
- 6106: Pipes, wires, and bars requiring corrosion resistance.
- 6151: Products requiring both good forge-ability, strength, and corrosion resistance, such as forged crankshaft parts, machine parts, and production rolling rings.
- 6201: High-strength conductive bars and wires.
- 6205: Thick plates, treads, and high-impact extruded parts.
- 6262: Extruded and cold-worked pipes, bars, shapes, and wires for high-stress threaded parts with good amenability and corrosion resistance.
