Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube is produced through the extrusion process, which directly forms the tube without seams. This gives the tube excellent fatigue resistance, pressure resistance, and uniform material properties. Due to these features, seamless aluminum tubes are particularly suitable for high-pressure equipment, hydraulic systems, and critical structural components in aerospace applications.
Common Alloys for Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
6061 Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
- Characteristics: It has good strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability. Suitable for applications that require lightweight and good mechanical properties, such as aerospace and structural applications.
- Applications: Aerospace structures, hydraulic system components, high-pressure equipment, and mechanical parts, etc.
2024 Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
- Characteristics: Known for its excellent strength and fatigue resistance. Suitable for high-strength and high-pressure applications, but its relatively weak corrosion resistance needs to be enhanced through surface treatment.
- Applications: Aerospace structural components, aircraft parts, high-strength hydraulic systems, etc.
7075 Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
- Characteristics: Has extremely high strength and corrosion resistance, especially suitable for aerospace components that require high strength.
- Applications: Key aerospace components, such as aircraft fuselage, landing gear components, high-pressure pipelines, etc.
7050 Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
- Characteristics: High corrosion resistance and strength, especially suitable for aerospace structural components that require good fatigue strength and corrosion resistance.
- Applications: Aircraft structures, hydraulic system components, oil and gas transmission pipelines, etc.
5083 Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
- Characteristics: Excellent corrosion resistance and good weldability. Suitable for applications in marine environments.
- Applications: Marine equipment, ship structures, pressure vessels, etc.
Advantages of Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
Advantages | Description |
Seamless Feature | Without seams or welds, extruded seamless aluminum tubes perform excellently in high-pressure environments, making them especially suitable for pressure vessels and other applications where structural integrity is critical. This design reduces potential weak points, ensuring the tube's reliability under extreme conditions. |
Uniform Appearance | Through anodizing, the surface of extruded seamless aluminum tubes achieves more uniform treatment, especially in areas with larger wall thicknesses. This uniformity not only enhances the tube's aesthetics but also improves its corrosion and wear resistance, allowing it to maintain good appearance and performance in various environments. |
Crack Resistance | Due to the absence of welds, the risk of cracking during the forming process is significantly reduced. This means that extruded seamless aluminum tubes are more durable and can withstand greater mechanical stress during processing and use. |
Improved Structural Integrity | Seamless tubes outperform welded tubes in mechanical properties. Due to their uniform material distribution, extruded seamless aluminum tubes provide higher strength and reliability. This structural advantage makes the product perform better under load and during use, meeting various industrial and engineering needs. |
Applications of Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube
Application Area | Description |
Pressure Vessels | Extruded seamless aluminum tubes are widely used in the manufacture of pressure vessels, which operate under high-pressure conditions, commonly in industries such as chemical, oil, and gas. Due to their seamless characteristic, these tubes can withstand high internal pressures, ensuring the safety and reliability of the equipment. |
Hydraulic Cylinders | In fluid power systems, extruded seamless aluminum tubes are used to manufacture hydraulic cylinders. These tubes need to be durable and strong enough to withstand high fluid pressure and frequent shocks. The excellent mechanical properties of seamless aluminum tubes make them an ideal choice for such applications. |
Compressed Gas Cylinders | Extruded seamless aluminum tubes are key components for the safe storage and transport of compressed gases. These cylinders need to have high strength and corrosion resistance to ensure safety and durability under high pressure. The seamless design reduces potential leakage risks, providing additional safety assurance. |
Drive Shafts | In automotive and mechanical applications, extruded seamless aluminum tubes are used as drive shafts. These shafts require high strength and fatigue resistance to withstand the stresses caused by high-speed rotation and load changes. The structural integrity of seamless aluminum tubes allows them to operate reliably under harsh conditions. |
Lighting Applications | Extruded seamless aluminum tubes are also used to manufacture structural components in lighting systems. These tubes not only provide necessary support but also dissipate heat efficiently, thereby extending the lifespan of lighting equipment. Their lightweight characteristics make them adaptable to various lighting needs. |
Bus Conductors | In electrical systems, extruded seamless aluminum tubes are used as bus conductors. These conductors need to be lightweight yet strong enough to carry electrical currents and ensure system stability and safety. The excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance of seamless aluminum tubes make them perform well in such applications. |
Extruded seamless aluminum tubes are particularly suitable for high-demand applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy, where strength, pressure resistance, and material uniformity are critical.
The production of seamless aluminum tubes involves two main methods. In the first method, a hollow aluminum billet is pushed through a die and mandrel under high temperature and pressure. In the second method, a solid billet is pierced by a perforating machine, and then a mandrel is used during the second forward stroke to create a hollow tube. Regardless of the method used, the final tube product has no seams or welds, making it ideal for anodizing and other finishing processes.
What is the difference between extruded and seamless pipe?
Feature | Extruded Pipe | Seamless Pipe |
Manufacturing Process | Extruded pipes are created by forcing heated material (typically metal, plastic, or rubber) through a die to form a specific shape of the pipe. | Seamless pipes are made by heating a solid circular billet and piercing it to create a hollow tube, which is then elongated through various processes. |
Strength and Durability | Extruded pipes' strength varies depending on the material and process, and may have weak points if welded. | Seamless pipes offer higher strength and durability due to the lack of seams, making them ideal for high-pressure applications. |
Application | Extruded pipes are commonly used in construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries, especially in applications that require specific shapes and sizes. | Seamless pipes are typically used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications such as oil and gas, power generation, and chemical processing industries. |
Cost | The manufacturing process of extruded pipes is generally more cost-effective for large-scale production, depending on material and design complexity. | The manufacturing process for seamless pipes is more complex, resulting in higher production costs, but their high strength and reliability justify their value in critical applications. |
Materials | Extruded pipes can be made from various materials, including plastics and aluminum. | Seamless pipes are typically made from materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steel. |
Design Flexibility | Extruded pipes can be produced in various cross-sectional shapes, accommodating different design needs. | Seamless pipes are mainly circular in cross-section, with less design flexibility but are more suitable for high-pressure and high-strength requirements. |
Is extruded aluminum tubing seamless?
Whether an extruded aluminum tube is seamless depends on its manufacturing process. Extruded tubes can be made to final dimensions through the hot extrusion process, and they can either be seamless or welded. Although it may be difficult to visually distinguish between seamless tubes and welded structural tubes, there are significant differences in their performance and applications.
Extruded Seamless Aluminum Tube Stock List
Description | Alloy | Temper | Processing method | Profile Shape |
2.5" OD x 0.065" Wall x 2.37" ID Aluminum Round Tube 6061-T6-Extruded Seamless | 6061 | T6 | Seamless | round tube |
5" OD x 0.5" Wall x 4" ID Aluminum Round Tube 6061-T6-Extruded Seamless | 6061 | T6 | Seamless | round tube |