Extrusion is a process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile by pushing material through a die of the desired cross-section. Its two main advantages over other manufacturing processes are its ability to create very complex cross-sections; and to work materials that are brittle, because the material encounters only compressive and shear stresses. It also creates excellent surface finish and gives considerable freedom of form in the design process.
Extruded aluminium with several hollow cavities; T slots allow bars to be joined with special connectors.
Clay body being extruded from a de-airing pug
HDPE pipe during extrusion. The HDPE material is coming from the heater, into the die, then into the cooling tank. This Acu-Power conduit pipe is co-extruded - black inside with a thin orange jacket, to designate power cables.
Extrusion of a round metal through a die
Bar stock, also (colloquially) known as blank, slug or billet, is a common form of raw purified metal, used by industry to manufacture metal parts and products. Bar stock is available in a variety of extrusion shapes and lengths. The most common shapes are round, rectangular, square and hexagonal. A bar is characterised by an "enclosed invariant convex cross-section", meaning that pipes, angle stock and objects with varying diameter are not considered bar stock.
Storage area containing assorted bar stock.
