This chapter provides an overview of the basic principles and historic development of metal extrusion processes. It starts by illustrating the two major process categories: direct extrusion and indirect extrusion. It then briefly defines hydrostatic extrusion and the conform process. The history coverage addresses early patents for extrusion of lead at the turn of the 17th century up through the major process innovations in the 20th century.

This chapter begins with a description of the requirements of tooling and tooling material for hot extrusion. It covers the processes of designing tool and die sets for direct and indirect extrusion. Next, the chapter provides information on extrusion tooling and die sets for direct external and internal shape production and tools for copper alloy extrusion. Further, it addresses design, calculation, and dimensioning of single-piece and two-part containers and describes induction heating for containers. Information on static- and elastic-based analysis and dimensioning of containers loaded in three dimensions is provided. Examples of calculations for different containers, along with their stresses and dimensions, are presented and the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of containers are described. The chapter further discusses the properties and applications of hot working materials for the manufacture of extrusion tooling and of different extruded materials for the manufacture of extrusion tooling for direct and indirect forming.

This chapter familiarizes readers with the design, configuration, and function of tooling and dies used to extrude aluminum alloys. It discuses basic design considerations, including the geometry, location, and orientation of die openings; allowances for thermal shrinkage, stretching, and deflection; and the length and profile of bearing surfaces. It outlines the steps and processes involved in die making, describes the selection and treatment of die materials, and examines the factors that influence friction and wear. It also discusses the general procedures for on-site die correction.