Extrusion

Extrusion

History of the Extrusion Method

The extrusion method is being used for more than 100 years for many applications. This method, first used for the production of cables and wires, is now even being used for futuristic applications like space station constructions.

The extrusion method has been initiated for the first time in 1797 with the pressing of copper pipes. The copper pipes were being produced manually with human power until the invention of hydraulic presses in 1820. This method started being used for copper and brass alloys towards the end of the 19th century. But the path followed for aluminium developed very different.

Background of Aluminium

Aluminium, a rather new metal compared with copper, bronze, iron and steel which are used since thousands of years, was discovered in 1807.  Aluminium is refined for the first time in 1825 and was accepted as a much more valuable metal than gold at that time.

Development of Aluminium Extrusion

The hot extrusion method, still being used at many light metal extrusions, was invented by Alexander Dick in 1894. Today, aluminium is the most extruded metal and in able to be used both at the cold and hot extrusion methods.

The increasing demand for aluminium extrusion reached during World War II peak levels due to the production of aircrafts and other military needs. The rapid development of extrusion sustained after the World War II, too, and a significant growth is recorded during the post-war period. It started to convert many industrial fields, including the housing sector.

Aluminium extrusion products have held an important position in the transport and construction sectors during the following years. At present, the main extrusion application areas are listed as the door, window production and the automotive sector. Other large utilization fields for extrusion products are consumer products, bridge and road construction fields. Aluminium extrusion will continue to be an important part of the future, pursuant to new goals.