The Basics of Aluminum Angle Extrusions- What You Need to Know

Aluminium Angle Extrusions: The Basics

Aluminium angle extrusions are widely used in various industries due to their strength, versatility, and ease of fabrication. This article explores the basics of aluminium angle extrusions, providing an overview of their properties, manufacturing process, and applications.

Properties of Aluminium Angle Extrusions

Aluminium angle extrusions offer several notable properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

– Strength: Aluminium extrusions provide excellent strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for structural applications where lightweight and durability are essential.

– Corrosion resistance: Aluminium’s natural oxide layer protects it from corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor and harsh environments.

– Electrical conductivity: Aluminium is an excellent conductor of electricity, making it suitable for electrical applications such as power transmission and distribution.

– Formability: Aluminium extrusions can be easily bent, formed, and cut, allowing for customized shapes and designs.

– Cost-effectiveness: The extrusion process allows for the production of large quantities of aluminium angles at a competitive cost.

Manufacturing Process

Aluminium angle extrusions are produced through a process called extrusion, which involves forcing molten aluminium through a die to create the desired shape. The extrusion process consists of several steps:

– Billet preparation: An aluminium billet is heated and placed into an extrusion press.

– Extrusion: The heated billet is forced through a die opening, shaping the molten aluminium into the desired angle profile.

– Quenching and ageing: The extruded angle is cooled rapidly to increase its strength and hardness.

– Finishing: The extruded angle may undergo additional finishing processes such as straightening, cutting to length, and surface treatment.

Applications of Aluminium Angle Extrusions

Aluminium angle extrusions are used in numerous applications across various industries. Their versatility and strength make them suitable for:

– Structural applications: Building frames, bridges, towers, and other structural components.

– Framing and supports: Window and door frames, furniture frameworks, and industrial machinery supports.

– Electrical applications: Bus bars, conductors, and electrical enclosures.

– Transportation: Vehicle frames, chassis, and reinforcement components.

– Industrial applications: Machine frames, conveyor systems, and assembly line fixtures.