Extruded Aluminum Tube

What is extruded aluminum tubing?

Extruded aluminum tube is formed by heating an aluminum alloy billet to a plastic state and then pressing it through a die to create the desired tube shape. This process offers excellent formability and high production efficiency, making it suitable for various industrial applications with outstanding strength and lightweight properties.

Extruded Aluminum Tube is a hollow profile created by heating an aluminum alloy billet to the appropriate forming temperature and forcing it through a die. This manufacturing process not only provides highly consistent wall thickness and surface quality but also allows customization of various cross-sectional shapes (e.g., round, square, rectangular, and complex shapes). Due to its versatility, extruded aluminum tube is widely used across multiple industries.

Features of Extruded Aluminum Tube

Excellent mechanical properties:

The extrusion process endows the aluminum tube with high strength, toughness, and durability, making it suitable for high-load structural applications.

Lightweight:

The low density of aluminum provides the advantage of lightweight properties while maintaining high strength.

Dimensional flexibility:

Customizable wall thicknesses and cross-sectional shapes can meet complex design requirements.

Corrosion resistance:

Extruded aluminum tubes often use corrosion-resistant alloys (such as 6061, 6063, 7075) and can undergo anodizing or coating treatments to enhance resistance.

Excellent conductivity and thermal properties:

The high conductivity of aluminum makes it suitable for electrical applications, such as bus conductors, while its thermal properties are ideal for radiators or heat exchangers.

High production efficiency:

The extrusion process offers high forming efficiency, enabling fast and mass production, reducing costs.

Common Aluminum Alloys for Extruded Tubes and Their Applications

6061 Extruded Aluminum Tube

Characteristics:

High strength, corrosion resistance, easy to weld, and machine.

Applications:

Aerospace components, transportation structures, building supports, and industrial machinery.

6063 Extruded Aluminum Tube

Characteristics:

High surface quality, excellent corrosion resistance, and suitable for anodizing.

Applications:

Architectural decorative tubes, window and door frames, railings, and solar structures.

7075 Extruded Aluminum Tube

Characteristics:

Extremely high strength, suitable for high-load and high-strength applications.

Applications:

Military defense systems, aerospace equipment, and sports equipment (e.g., bicycle frames, trekking poles).

Types of Extruded Aluminum Tube

1. Round Extruded Aluminum Tube

Characteristics:

• Uniform strength distribution: The circular cross-section allows uniform stress and load distribution without significant weak points.
• Excellent fluid dynamics: Suitable for transporting liquids and gases due to low resistance.
• Good machinability: Easy for secondary processing such as cutting, bending, and welding.
• Durability: With the same material and weight, round tubes provide higher compression strength.

Applications:

• Aerospace: Hydraulic pipelines and fuel transport tubes.
• Construction: Support structures and decorative components.
• Machinery: Components like drive shafts and rollers.
• Transportation: Exhaust pipes and air conditioning system tubes in automobiles, trains, and ships.

2. Square Extruded Aluminum Tube

Characteristics:

• High bending stiffness: Suitable for applications requiring resistance to bending forces.
• Easy connection: Flat surfaces on four sides allow for convenient bolting, welding, and mechanical fastening.
• High space utilization: Maximizes internal space in specific assemblies.
• Superior structural performance: Ideal for frames and support systems.

Applications:

• Building frames: Door and window frames, curtain wall supports.
• Machinery: Structural components like brackets and beams.
• Decorative purposes: Fences, railings, and other planar decorative elements.

3. Rectangular Extruded Aluminum Tube

Features:

• Differentiated bending resistance: The moments of inertia differ in two directions, making it suitable for applications with significant lateral force characteristics.
• Material saving: Compared to square tubes, it uses less material for a given strength.
• Customizable variety: The aspect ratio of the section can be flexibly designed based on specific requirements.
• Excellent heat conduction: Large surface areas promote efficient heat exchange.

Applications:

• Aerospace and transportation: Used for frames, support beams, and cooling system pipelines.
• Mechanical structures: Serves as high-strength components and mechanical supports.
• Heat exchange equipment: Extensively used in radiators, condensers, and related devices.

4. Complex-shaped extruded aluminum tubes

Features:

• High design flexibility: Enables manufacturing of multi-cavity, multi-curve tubes based on demand.
• Integrated forming: Reduces assembly, improving precision and strength.
• Weight optimization: Minimizes material weight while maintaining strength.
• Multifunctionality: Allows integration of multiple functions (e.g., wire channels, fixing slots) in one design.

Applications:

• Aerospace: Complex geometric tubes for aircraft frames, seat rails.
• Electronic equipment: Used for heat sinks, wire channels, and enclosure casings.
• Architectural decoration: High-end curtain walls and decorative components.
• Industrial equipment: Multi-cavity structures for high-pressure gas or fluid transport and machinery processing equipment.

Applications of Extruded Aluminum Tubes

Transportation Industry:

Used in automobile, truck, rail transit, and aircraft frames and pipelines, offering high strength and lightweight advantages.

Marine Industry:

Corrosion-resistant aluminum tubes are ideal for ship frames and piping systems, extending their service life.

Renewable Energy:

Applied in solar panel support structures and wind power components, providing lightweight and durable solutions.

Building and Structures:

Used in commercial and residential buildings for support frames, railings, HVAC piping, and more.

Military and Defense:

Used in vehicle frames, weapon systems, and defense structures.

Electrical Bus Conductors:

High electrical conductivity makes aluminum tubes ideal for electrical transmission and energy storage systems.

Compressed Gas Storage:

Extruded aluminum tubes are favored for high-pressure cylinders and containers due to their lightweight and high strength.

What is the difference between drawn and extruded aluminum tubing?

Manufacturing Process:

• Drawn Tubing: Produced by pulling (drawing) aluminum through a die to achieve precise dimensions and improved surface finish.
• Extruded Tubing: Formed by forcing aluminum through a die, often followed by additional processes like stretching or cutting.

Precision and Strength:

• Drawn Tubing: Offers better dimensional accuracy, higher strength, and smoother surfaces.
• Extruded Tubing: Typically less precise but suitable for larger, thicker tubes.

Applications:

• Drawn Tubing: Used in aerospace, medical, and automotive applications where high strength and tight tolerances are essential.
• Extruded Tubing: Common in construction, transportation, and general-purpose uses where precision is less critical.

Extruded aluminum tubes demonstrate outstanding performance and versatility across various industrial fields. Depending on specific application requirements, different aluminum alloy grades can be selected to optimize performance and cost, while surface treatments can further enhance durability and aesthetics.

Extruded Aluminum Tube Stock List