The use of aluminum extrusions in design and construction – that is forcing aluminum through a machine that forms it into a given design – is among the most widely used methods these days, and with many properties that make it an effective and affordable alternative to other metals, it is set to become more popular as time goes on.
The extrusion of aluminum involves the use of a die that is specially shaped to the design required. If the preferred design is a standard option, it is likely that the supplier will carry a standard die, thus reducing the costs even further, and for special designs to a customers specific requirements, a die will cost a small part of that which would be incurred for a forming or casting, used in alternative methods.
With set up costs relatively low for extrusion, and the material itself a cost effective item, the attraction of aluminum extrusion becomes even greater. Aluminum extrusion is further enhanced as a cost saver by presenting little in the way of wastage.
Added strength and light weight
The advantages of aluminum extend beyond the extrusion process, however, as aluminum is an impressive material in many ways.
In terms of strength to weight there is little to match extruded aluminum; with a weight of one third that of brass, copper or steel, the process of aluminum extrusion offers strength properties equally as impressive as those materials but with obvious weight savings.
Shaping extrusions is also a simple process, and requires no special tools to achieve, giving the added advantages of light weight and – depending on the thickness of the aluminum extrusion – tight radii for curves without any loss of strength.
Corrosion, colour and fixing
Other properties of aluminum include excellent corrosion resistance, this aided by a think layer of oxide film that is applied during the extrusion process, and also the ability to be coloured artificially.
Indeed, aluminum extrusions are popularly coloured for added attraction, and given the nature and wide range of uses for the material this can add interest to the simplest of items.
Joining aluminum extrusions is done with ease and via a number of different methods. Aluminum can be effectively and neatly drilled in order to utilise nuts and bolts, and rivets are a widely chose option, while welding and soldering can also be used to good effect.
The join will be very tidy, too, as the nature of the aluminum extrusion process presents very low tolerance levels.
Aluminum is an excellent conductor of electricity, and very efficient with it, with around double the capacity of copper, and is also both a great conductor of heat and a reflector when used correctly.
For this reason aluminum is often used as an affordable heat reflector, being as it is a lot more affordable than the likes of gold or silver, and other such materials.
With a long life expectancy, the viability of aluminum extrusions is obvious, hence the popularity of the method.