Plastic and Aluminium Extrusion

Production Technique

Extrusion is a process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile by pushing material through a die of the desired cross-section. The main advantage over other manufacturing processes is the ability to create very complex cross-sections. It also creates excellent surface finish and gives considerable freedom of form in the design process.

Technical details:

The dimensional tolerances depend on the material that is chosen and on the wall thickness. For most plastics, the tolerance is +/-0.25 mm for wall thicknesses below 2 mm and +/-0.38 mm for wall thicknesses above 2 mm. For Aluminium, the tolerances are narrower and depend also on the alloy. Exact values can be obtained on request.
Surface roughness depends also on the plastic and is in most cases below Ra = 0.8 µm. For Aluminium, surface roughness will be below Ra= 0.5 µm.
Minimum wall thickness depends on the design but it thicknesses below 0.6 mm should be avoided.

Materials

Aluminium alloys

1050

This non-heat treatable alloy is commonly used in heat transfer applications for the automotive and in the electrical industry. The 1050 alloy has good corrosion resistance and higher thermal conductivity than other alloys.

3003/3103

These non-heat treatable alloys feature good corrosion resistance, workability and weldability. The 3003/3103 alloys develop strengthening from cold working only, and are typically used in the automotive industry. They offer good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties that exceed 1xxx-series alloys. Applications include radiators for cars and air conditioning evaporators.

5083

This alloy is easier to weld than 6xxx-series alloys and is more predictable in terms of post-weld strength. The 5083 alloy excels in corrosion resistance in a salt-water environment and is therefore the material of choice for marine hull structure applications.

6060

This alloy is most frequently used in applications that require the highest quality finish, and where strength is not the crucial factor. Applications that use the 6060 alloy include picture frames and exclusive furniture.

6061

This magnesium and silicon alloy is the best choice when welding or brazing is required. It has structural strength and toughness, good corrosion resistance and good machining characteristics. The 6061 alloy is used extensively as a construction material, most commonly in the manufacture of marine and automotive components.

6063

This popular alloy is in the heat treatable category. The 6063 alloy has a finer grain structure than 6061 and will provide the best cosmetic appearance after anodizing. It is highly corrosion resistant with good workability and weldability. Common uses include cylinder tubing, electrical bus conductors and architectural applications.

6082

This alloy is not suitable for decorative anodizing, but it certainly qualifies as an excellent choice for high-strength building and structural components. Applications for the 6082 alloy include trailer profiles for trucks as well as for floors

Plastics

The most commonly used plastics are PVC, PP, LDPE, HDPE and PA6 (nylon). It is of course possible to use other materials and we can advise you on the most suitable choice for your application. Extrusion is often used for the production of items such as pipe/tubing, weatherstripping, fencing, deck railings, window frames and wire insulation.