Steel extrusion is a manufacturing process in which steel is forced through a shaped die. The steel enters the die at room temperature, and exits with the desired shape. Extruded steel can be found in many everyday items including furniture, kitchen appliances, and automotive trim.
Steel extrusion has been around for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the start of the 20th century that steel extrusion as we know it today began to emerge. One of the earliest extrusion presses is believed to have been built in France in the late 1800s. It was a basic press made from wood, cast iron and steel, and was used to extrude steel wire for use in brushes and other applications. Since then, steel extrusion has developed into an incredibly efficient and reliable process.
The extrusion process begins with a steel billet. The billet is forced through a die with a diameter, length and shape that is specific to the desired end product. This is done using an extrusion press. The press contains a steel cylinder that is attached to a hydraulic system. This serves two purposes: it creates a uniform pressure inside the cylinder, and it also cools the heated steel billet before and during the process. As the cylinder moves, it compresses and forces the steel billet through the shaped die which ultimately creates the desired shape.
Extruded steel is often subjected to additional machining to achieve the desired dimensions and finish. After the extrusion process, the steel may need to be trimmed, bent, tapered or even undergo more intricate operations such as drilling and threading.
The advantages of using steel extrusion are vast. For example, it is an incredibly versatile and cost-effective process. The shape of the product can also be easily altered during the process and is also extremely strong. Plus, steel extrusion offers greater design flexibility compared to other manufacturing processes. The process also allows for a wide range of shapes and sizes to be created, so even complex products can be produced with speed and accuracy.
Steel extrusion is a common method for creating automotive trim, furniture, cookware and more. Some of the most iconic products such as traffic signals use extruded steel. The process of extrusion is also used in many industries such as aerospace, construction and electrical systems to create complex and durable components.
In summary, steel extrusion is an efficient, reliable and cost-effective manufacturing process for creating a wide range of steel components. It is fast, versatile and can produce strong and durable components with a high degree of accuracy. The process also offers greater design flexibility compared to other methods and can create many complex shapes. Steel extrusion is a commonly used process to create components in the automotive, aerospace, construction and electrical industries.
