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What is Metal Extrusion?

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This is the process of where metal is shaped into long straight pieces. With this type of method, various shapes and size of metals can be produced. For example, round shaped metals can be produced. Also other shapes can be made including rectangular, L shapes, and T shapes. Each shape can be even made into different types. As for the way it is done, this is the interesting part. Extrusion is done by taking the metal, placing it in a closed area, and squeezing it through a tool, known in the trade as a die, using either mechanical or hydraulic means to do the squeezing.

Extrusion is a process that allows the metal to be formed in such a way so it can be altered without any problems. In many cases, extrusion also eliminates using another machine to form the material. This type of process is also cost-effective in that no other machine made can produce the same results that can be used in cross-section other metals. There are two different types of extrusion methods: cold and hot.

• Cold extrusion: This is where the process of squeezing metal through a tool is done at room temperature or slightly above it. Such materials that can be created that way would be tools. The type of metals that are used in this process would include lead, tin, aluminum alloys, copper, titanium, molybdenum, vanadium, and the most used type – steel. The parts that are known to be made using this type of extrusion would be collapsible tubes, aluminum cans, cylinders, and gear blanks. Why is cold extrusion used? Well because it has three advantages:
o There is no oxidation. With no oxidation there is no fear of deterioration.
o Good mechanical properties. This is because of the use of severe cold over a certain period of time.
o Good surface finish. By using proper lubricants it helps to keep the surface in good shape and free from roughness.
• Hot extrusion: This process uses very high temperatures to squeeze out the material. This high temperature usually is around 50% to 75% of the melting point of the metal. The only negative side to this is that with using such high temperatures, the die has to be constantly lubricated to prevent damage. The kind of parts you would find produced by this method include trim parts you would find in automotive and construction applications, window frame members, railings, and aircraft structural parts.

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