Extrusion

The Process
Extrusion is the process of
squeezing metal in a closed
cavity through a tool, known as
a die using either a mechanical
or hydraulic press.

Dies
The extrusion die is a steel disk with
an opening, the size and shape of
the intended cross-section of the final
extruded product as indicated below.

The extrusion process is often

likened to the squeezing of
tooth paste from a tube, as is
illustrated :

The top of the tube represents

the die and determines the
shape of the extrusion, while the
paste may be considered to be
the billet.

Billet
The billet is the starting stock for
the extrusion operation.Extrusion
billets may be a solid or hollow
form, commonly cylindrical, and is
the length charged into the
extrusion press container.

Extrusion operations typically

take place with billet heated.
However,during the extrusion,
the billet is still solid.

The actual extrusion process

begins when the ram starts
applying pressure to the billet
within the container, as is shown:

This process generally produces

long straight metal parts. The
cross-sections that can be
produced vary from solid round,
rectangular, to L shapes, T
shapes.

Most commonly aluminium alloys

are used in the production of
extruded materials. However it
should be noted that plastics and
other metals such as lead, tin,
copper, titanium, molybdenum,
vanadium, steel can be extruded.

Extrusion often minimizes the

need for secondary machining,and
as a result could result in financial
savings. However extruded
objects are not of the same
dimensional accuracy or surface
finish as machined parts.

References:
www.efunda.com
http://wwwmaterials.eng.cam.ac.uk/mpsite/process_encyc/nonIE/metal_extrusion.html