Extruded Aluminum Tubing Manufacturers

Extruded Aluminum Tubing

Drawn aluminum and extruded aluminum are the two different kinds of aluminum shaping. In both methods, the aluminum is molded into a certain shape and then cut to the desired length. Many different products can be made using these shaping processes. One such product is extruded aluminum tubing.

Quick links to Extruded Aluminum Tubing Information

• Applications of Extruded Aluminum Tubing
• Characteristics of Extruded Aluminum Tubing
• Manufacturing Process of Extruded Aluminum Tubing

Applications of Extruded Aluminum Tubing

Extruded aluminum tubes are used in many industries and applications, such as:

• Transportation
• Marine
• Solar and Renewable Energy
• Construction
• Military
• Compressed Gas Storage

Characteristics of Extruded Aluminum Tubing

Extruded aluminum tubes are extruded products that are used for a variety of applications, especially those where lightweight and corrosion resistance are required. There are two main types of structural aluminum tubing. The first splits the aluminum tube and reseals it under high temperature and pressure conditions. The resealing is facilitated by metallurgical welds. The seam is also created during this process and in some cases can be seen by the naked eye. Tubes made with this method are not ideal for the transportation of gases or liquids under high pressure because of the possible breakage or leak of the seam. The second process entails pushing a hollow billet through a die. This process does not create a seam and can be used to transport or store pressurized gases and liquids.

Some aluminum tubes are extruded with other alloys and to identify the kind of extruded aluminum tube to buy, the aluminum industry created a four-digit system to specify the components of a particular tube. The first number tells what the major alloying element is, the second tells whether there was a modification in the basic alloy, the third and fourth tell the specific alloy. 1 represents aluminum, 2 represents copper, 3 represents manganese, 4 represents magnesium, 6 represents magnesium and silicone, and 7 represents zinc.

Manufacturing Process of Extruded Aluminum Tubing

Extruded aluminum tubing is created by heating up an aluminum blank and forcing it through a die, which removes material to shape the blank into its final form. When the product has come out of the die, it is cooled and then stretched to get rid of any twisting or changes that may have occurred during the cooling process. The harder the extruded aluminum gets, the stronger it becomes. In some instances, the aluminum is allowed to harden at room temperature, but more often temperature controlled rooms are used to quickly cool the aluminum tubing.

More Extruded Aluminum Tubing Information

Extruded Aluminum Tubing Informational Video