Chapter 7: Aluminum Extrusion and Wire Drawing

Aluminum shapes, rod, bar, tubes, and wire may be produced directly as extrusions or by subsequent processing of continuous cast stock. This chapter describes the key aspects of aluminum extrusion and wire production focusing on the more common hot extrusion process and presenting the general types of aluminum extrusion alloys. An overview of free-machining alloys and products, and weldable 6xxx and 7xxx high-strength structural alloys is also provided.