Home >> FAQs >> how to produce aluminum rods?

how to produce aluminum rods?

Aluminum rods and bars used for making extrusion profiles are manufactured by casting. The process is done in-house to ensure that the raw material used for extrusion will have all the characteristics needed for a durable aluminum profile. Aluminum rods are used to create various types of extruded aluminum profiles.

Most of the aluminum profiles made with standard extrusion dies are made with cylindrical aluminum rods. These rods are manufactured through a process of casting. The industrial casting process begins with charging of an electric furnace up to about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

After heating the furnace up to the desired temperature, the aluminum scraps are conveyed to the opening of the furnace with a forklift. The door of the furnace is opened gradually with an automated switch. Then the aluminum scraps are loaded into the furnace and pushed inwards with with a special instrument attached to the forklift.

Preparation of the Die

The aluminum scraps are allowed to melt in the furnace until the molten aluminum flows freely. This usually occurs when the temperature of the aluminium reaches a temperature of 800℃ or higher. While the aluminum is being smelted in the furnace, other workers work on the mould to be used to cast the aluminum rods. They heat up the die to ensure that the molten aluminum will not suddenly cool and solidify before it gets to the bottom of the cylindrical mold which is usually 12 meters long.

Pouring of Metal into the Mould

When the die is ready to receive the molten aluminum, the furnace is opened to let out the molten aluminum. The liquified aluminum flows directly into the mold through a series of gates so that about 32 or more cylindrical aluminum rods are produced at a time. The slag that forms on the top of the mould is removed as the aluminum is poured into the mould.

Aluminum flow through the mould is cooled with the circulation of water. The cooling occurs rapidly because aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat and the cooling water moves rapidly around the mould. After the aluminum has solidified completely, the top cover open and the mould is removed. The aluminum rods are pushed up by a hydraulic device connected to the mould.

Next, the aluminum rods are cut into two piece about 6 meters per rod, carried up together in batches. About twenty aluminum rods may be hooked together with a chain and transfered by a crane or conveyor to the loading area. When all the rods have been transfered from the mould to the loading area, they may be placed on a conveyor belt or transfered with a forklift to the place where they will be stored.

Aluminum rods made through this process offer the purity, structure and strength needed for most extrusion applications. The rods may be cut into smaller lengths depending on the requirements of the customer.