This article describes the direct hot extrusion process and the typical sequence of operations for producing extruded aluminum shapes from soft and medium-grade aluminum alloys, hard alloys, and aluminum-matrix composites. It discusses key process variables, including extrusion speed and exit temperature, and their effect on product quality. The article also provides information on extrusion presses, press dies, and tooling, and addresses quality issues such as surface defects, blistering, and internal cracking. It concludes with a discussion on the drawing of solid section and aluminum tube.

Forge welding is a solid-state joining process in which the workpieces are heated to the welding temperature and then sufficient blows or force are applied to cause permanent deformation and bonding at the faying surfaces. Coextrusion welding is a solid-state process that produces a weld by heating two or more workpieces to the welding temperature and forcing them through an extrusion die. This article illustrates typical joint configurations used for manual and automatic forge welding applications. It provides information on the common metals welded by coextrusion welding, such as low-carbon steel, aluminum, copper, and copper alloys. The article also explains the common coextrusion behaviors.

Hot extrusion is a process in which wrought parts are formed by forcing a heated billet through a shaped die opening. This article discusses nonlubricated and lubricated hot extrusion. The two nonlubricated hot extrusion methods are forward or direct extrusion and backward or indirect extrusion. The article illustrates the significance of extrusion speeds and temperatures in hot extrusion. It describes the basic types of presses used in the hot extrusion of metals. The article provides information on the characterization of extruded shapes and explains the operating parameters, including extrusion velocity, amount of pressure required, and type of lubricant, for successful and efficient hot extrusion. The article concludes with a discussion on applications and design methodology that provides insight into CAD/CAM of extrusion dies.

Coextrusion welding (CEW) is a solid-state process that produces a weld by heating two or more workpieces to the welding temperature and forcing them through an extrusion die. This article describes cold and hot CEW for common metals such as low-carbon steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, and copper alloys. Additional applicable materials include nickel, nickel-base alloys, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, and niobium.