If you’re in an office or a classroom and take a look around, you are sure to find a number of aluminum extrusions. They are everywhere, although people seldom notice them. You can find them in your doors, windows, ceiling, tables, or even inside your personal computer. People benefit greatly from aluminum extrusions.
Extrusion is a manufacturing process. A material, usually a cast product, is pushed and drawn through a die to produce long objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. Many materials can be extruded, each with its own purpose, advantages and uses. One of the most common is aluminum.
Aluminum is often the material of choice because it offers a wide array of useful and appropriate properties. Aluminum is very light. Compared to most other metals, it weighs less by volume, weighing one-third the weight of steel, copper, brass, or iron. Because it is lightweight, it is also easier to handle and less expensive to ship. These characteristics of aluminum extrusions make them good materials in high-rise construction, aerospace, and automotive design.
Although lightweight, aluminum extrusions are strong, especially when it’s cold. As temperatures fall, this material becomes stronger. It also resists corrosion. Unlike some other metals, aluminum does not rust. It comes with its own naturally occurring oxide film, which can be further enhanced. It is also a good thermal conductor and conducts heat better than other common metals. Because of this and its relatively cheap cost, aluminum is really a suitable material for extrusion. Most extrusions are made for heat-conducting purposes. Aluminum also conducts electricity. In fact, it is twice as conductive as the more popular copper. Aside from this, aluminum extrusions are useful for high-voltage and electronic applications because they are nonmagnetic. Unlike most metals, aluminum does not emit sparks.
The best thing about aluminum extrusions is that they can be recycled. Aluminum retains a high scrap value. It is not combustible, even at extremely high temperatures, nor does it produce toxic fumes. Even when recycled indefinitely, it does not lose any of its excellent characteristics. This makes aluminum extrusions highly appealing according to economic and environmental criteria.