Have you ever noticed how many aluminum extrusion companies there are? For such a fairly specialized process, it’s surprising that so many companies claim to be able to do it well. The value of the process is clear in the variety of products it can create, but finding the right company can be challenging.
What is Aluminum Extrusion?
Aluminum extrusion occurs when aluminum is drawn through a die, creating a specific desired shape and cross-section. The easiest way to describe it in laymen’s terms would be to say that it’s like squeezing Play-Doh through one of the little plastic molds to make a star or heart shape. There are a number of variations on this process, including hot extrusion, cold extrusion, and warm extrusion. The advantage of the process is that you can create hollow or semi-hollow forms of great length, and it often has a very nice finish. It also allows for very intricate cross-sections. While aluminum is an excellent material for the extrusion process, running it at the wrong speed or temperature can lead to defects like internal and external cracking or visible lines in the finished product, so care must be taken in the process.
What are Aluminum Extrusions Used For?
Some of the most obvious uses for extruded aluminum include gutters, troughs, soffit and fascia. Aluminum extrusion companies might also sell conduit, Z-rails, shelving and trim, among other things. There are also innumerable custom applications for extruded aluminum, including ornamental and decorative uses.
How Do You Know Which Aluminum Extrusion Company is Right for You?
The best way to find the right aluminum extrusion company for you is to first take a hard look at what sort of products you expect to use. If you need a lot of custom pieces, you’ll want to find a company that specializes in providing customized pieces. If you need a wide variety of stock pieces, you’ll want to check out the inventory of potential aluminum extrusion companies and make sure they carry everything you need. Of course, reputation and experience mean a lot, as well, and you’ll want to find a company that has been doing this for several decades.
While there are plenty of companies to choose from who can provide aluminum extruded shapes, you should start your search with the experts at Eagle Mouldings. They offer a wide range of products to satisfy your aluminum extrusion needs.
