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In wide industries like aeronautics, automotive, construction and even advertising aluminum extrusions had been greatly used. Everywhere we look we can see examples of aluminum extrusions which include electronic components, computers, furniture, vehicle sub-assemblies, architectural structures and the list continues. Extrusion is a process wherein a metal is pressed in a die machine, heated and melted at nine thousand Fahrenheit or higher. The most common and most preferred metal for extrusion is the aluminum but why the aluminum?

This metal is the most preferred because of its excellent properties which will be simply presented in the following facts. Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals found on earth which then could be a good choice if you are looking for the least expensive among all other metals. With aluminum extrusion, there would be no worry for designers to compromise, just come up with their desired shape and design and you can have it. It only takes a good imagination and less work. It might be an inexpensive metal but it has a lot of features which makes it recommendable. Aluminum is just about one-third of the weight of brass, copper or steel so it would be very perfect for strong parts which need to be light. The metal possesses a very good thermal property which makes it so suitable for extrusion. It has an excellent heat conducting property and is almost equal with metal conductors like copper, gold and silver and is a good choice for heat shields.

Ever thought why a lot prefer aluminum among any other metals? It is because it too has a very high electrical conductivity. Though it is light it can produce twice the current you get from copper which is more expensive. Of course no one would opt to the more expensive choice. Aluminum extrusions have excellent corrosive-resistance property, they are coated by their own transparent film oxide and the color could be enhanced by chemical or electrochemical way. Since they can be formed so easily you can achieve the shape and design you wanted with less effort but with good results. Extruded aluminum can be joined so easily and does not need special and expensive joining tools. They can be joined with nuts and bolts, rivets, mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive bonding and some other not too costly materials. Extruded aluminum usually comes in hollow, semi-hollow and solid shapes, having distinct features and uses.

To add more effect to the shapes and designs to the aluminum extrusion some finishing methods are applied. They are loxite; where the extruded aluminum is being polished to give a higher luster. Another way is through loxite gold wherein after polishing the extruded material is dyed gold. Third is mill brite where a chemical compound is applied to the extrusion to give a gold or bronze finishing. Buff brite uses mechanical brightening method and also uses gold and bronze for finishing. Painting and dying are two of the other ways. The process of extruding aluminum may sound complex to us but remember these things had been parts of our daily lives.