Extruded

Aluminium can be shaped into lengths with a considerable choice of profile design. Furthermore aluminium extrusions offer a high strength - to - weight ratio, durability and corrosion resistance.

The Process

To produce aluminium extrusion, the process is quite simple. A cylindrically shaped "log" is heated to around 500 degrees to soften it. Then the metal is squeezed through a die which has an orifice in the shape of the desired profile. The aluminium exits the die in the shape required, is heat processed to achieve the appropriate characteristics, stretched to equalise internal stresses and to ensure straightness and finally cut to length.

For the purposes of clarity, Blackburns Metals Limited has divided the extruded aluminium category into three sub- categories.

• Standards incorporating angles, t & z sections, channels, bars, tubes & mouldings.
• Special applications designed for specific end uses, incorporating glazing bar, wallboard, road transport and blind track sections.
• Customer specials for use in numerous end use applications, such as architectural, automotive, electrical, general engineering and transport. Miniature profiles can also be extruded to precise tolerances.

Typical alloys offered include 6000 series, 2000 and less frequently 7000 series. Please review our "alloy choice" section to assess individual characteristics.