The Aluminum Extrusion Process: From Billet to Finished Profile

The aluminum extrusion process transforms solid billets into long, shaped profiles by heating them and forcing them through a precision die.

Like squeezing toothpaste from a tube, the extrusion die determines the final shape; changing the die changes the profile.

Step‑by‑Step Overview

1. Die Preparation

The extrusion die is machined from H13 steel, ensuring durability under high pressure. It is pre‑heated to 450‑500 °C to promote even flow and reduce die wear.

2. Billet Preheating

A round, tube‑shaped aluminum billet is cut from a large ingot and heated to 400‑500 °C. This temperature range softens the metal without melting it, providing the optimal workability for extrusion.

3. Transfer to the Press

The heated billet is carefully positioned in the extrusion press, lubricated to prevent sticking, and secured for the press cycle.

4. Extrusion

A water‑driven hydraulic system can apply anywhere from 100 t to 15 000 t of force, pushing the billet through the die and forming the desired profile as it exits.

5. Quenching and Cooling

Immediately after leaving the die, the profile is drawn along a run‑out table and cooled by a water spray or air fans to solidify the shape while minimizing residual stresses.

6. Cutting and Straightening

Once the profile reaches room temperature, it is trimmed to the required length with a hot saw. Any remaining curvature is corrected on a straightening table, ensuring the final product meets dimensional tolerances.

7. Final Heat Treatment

Trimmed pieces are often heat‑treated (T4, T5, or T6) to achieve the desired mechanical properties before they are shipped to customers.

With rigorous control at every stage—from die machining to final heat treatment—our extrusion process delivers high‑quality aluminum profiles that meet the most demanding specifications.