Aluminum Extruded Tubing
Aluminum extruded tubing is a hollow linear aluminum product that is typically cylindrical; however, aluminum square tubing and aluminum rectangular tubing is also manufactured for specialty applications such as aluminum downspouts and building supplies. Aluminum tubing may also have rectangular, square, or round cross-sections. Formed during extrusion processes, aluminum tubing may be hot extruded, cold extruded, or warm extruded, all of which extrude aluminum through a die, although at various temperatures.
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Applications of Aluminum Extruded Tubing
Aluminum extruding tubing has a wide range of applications, such as:
- Mining Equipment
- Hardware Joints
- Fluid and Gas Transport
- Light Building Frames
- Structural Applications
- Lighting Fixtures
- Light Poles
In addition, aluminum tubing has several advantageous characteristics, such as having high electrical conductivity and being a good heat conductor and reflector, which make it ideal for both heat transfer and heat shield applications. Additionally, industries that benefit from aluminum tubing’s flexibility and high strength-to-weight ratio include construction, industrial manufacturing, medical, aerospace, automotive, petrochemical, and food processing.
Manufacturing Process of Aluminum Extruded Tubing
Aluminum tubing is formed during the extrusion process, in which round aluminum stock called “billets” or “logs” are pressed by a ram through a die, which is a hollow profile that shapes the aluminum into a specific extruded shape as the billet is squeezed through. Aluminum extrusion processes include hot extrusion, cold extrusion, and warm extrusion. In cold extruding, an aluminum billet is pressed through the die at room temperature or, at least, very close to room temperature. Warm extruding, on the other hand, is done on billets brought to temperature ranges between 800 and 1800 degrees F. Lastly, hot extrusions are performed on aluminum that has been fully plasticized by heat and is often performed in a vacuum to avoid oxidation. In addition, aluminum can be extruded through the die using two different methods of extrusion: indirect extrusion and direct extrusion. Direct extrusion holds the die stationary while the ram forces the aluminum alloy through the die opening, while indirect extrusion holds the die stationary as the hollow ram moves into the stationary billet from one end, forcing the metal to flow through the die. After the aluminum tubing has been extruded, it is straightened by a stretcher.