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Aluminium Extrusion UK: The Secret Force That’s Breaking the Mould in Industrial Engineering

30.05.2024

Introduction

Aluminium Extrusion UK is the leading manufacturing process for the industrial industry, providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions across many different industries, such as electronics, energy, and architectural.

By investing in aluminium extrusion for your business, you eliminate the hassle associated with complex, less efficient, and expensive manufacturing processes. From reduced lead times to enhanced design flexibility, this blog will discuss how aluminium extrusion can elevate your industrial enterprise.

Aluminium Extrusion - Barton International

What is Aluminium Extrusion?

  1. The aluminium alloy billet is heated to between 400-500 degrees Celsius to ensure precise metal flow. Toasty enough to ensure the aluminium is malleable, but not so hot that it’s a puddle!
  2. The aluminium alloy is pre-lubricated with release agent and loaded into the steel die press.
  3. The billet is forced through the die with as much as 15,000 tonnes of pressure – that’s 135 blue whales!
  4. The aluminium alloy exits through the openings of the die as a fully formed profile.
  5. Cool or ‘quench’ the extrusion down using water or fans, maintaining structural integrity, before being sheared from the die.
  6. Once the profiles have cooled to room temperature, they are stretched and corrected to fit the client specification.

What are the Benefits of Aluminium Extrusion UK?

Aluminium extrusion offers numerous advantages to industrial engineering, including:

  • Lightweight material
  • Strong and durable structural integrity
  • Protective oxide coating making aluminium resistant to corrosion
  • Cost-effective production
  • Low equipment investment
  • Conforms to tight tolerances
  • Bespoke surface finish and design flexibility, allowing for complex cross-sectional profiles
  • Aluminium is a recyclable substance making it an environmentally sustainable choice.

Investing in aluminium extrusion for your industrial business optimises your production in a cost-effective way that will not break the bank.

Aluminium Extrusion vs Cast Aluminium

Some businesses may suggest cast aluminium production as an alternative to aluminium extrusion. Aluminium extrusion offers many advantages which industrial businesses prefer over cast aluminium, such as the durability, strength, and consistency.

Cast aluminium may have visible aesthetic defects as well as a rough surface which requires alternative machinery and processing, such as grinding and polishing, to provide an attractive finish.

Aluminium extrusion is typically more efficient when producing continuous profiles, and these will be more cost-effective for your business during high-volume production runs. Cast aluminium may involve longer lead times, due to the potential need for additional finishing processes.

Cast aluminium can also have a larger environmental impact, due to high-intensity energy usage during the casting process and generative waste.

Aluminium extrusion is better suited for your industrial business if your company is aiming to reduce your environmental footprint and lead a more sustainable industry.

How Can Aluminium Extrusion Help Your Industrial Business?

Aluminium Extrusion can reap a multitude of benefits for your industrial or electrical business, such as advancing your sustainability, investing in high quality material production, and durable fixtures which won’t need regular replacement. At Barton International, we design aluminium extrusion profiles and manufacture products to aid your underground cable management, such as the Mobra chamber frame.

We produce standard profiles of shapes that are commonly used in aluminium extrusions as well as bespoke designs and tailored shapes to fit your specification.

Barton International understand that value for money is crucial in your business operations, that is why our experienced engineers are qualified to give you the highest quality at the lowest cost.

With absolute prime manufacturing knowledge, and over 100 years’ experience in trading, we have a solid network of quality approved global partners and suppliers.

If you are looking to upgrade the quality of your industrial business, enquire with us at +44 (0)1902 402 742 or email enquiries@bcbinternational.co.uk

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