Manufacturing Capabilities

Aluminium Manufacturing Capabilities

The manufacturing capabilities of Hulamin Extrusions includes:

Die Manufacturing

Hulamin Extrusions are at the forefront of extrusion die developments. Our die manufacturing department manufactures the majority of the extrusion dies for our extrusion plants. The tooling sizes range from 230mm in diameter used on the smaller 1500 MT (metric tons) press to 556mm in diameter for the larger 3800 MT extrusion press. Designs are created using modern state of the art CAD/CAM facilities, which are integrated with the die manufacturing equipment.

Alloys

The choice of alloy is a critical decision in all product development as each has its own set of unique characteristics and properties. Aluminium makes it possible to give the product suitable physical and mechanical properties at the same time as achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This is done by combining aluminium with various alloying elements to create a range of application oriented aluminium alloys. Refer to the table for the mechanical properties of the different alloys.

Alloy Series Main Alloy Constituent
1xxx Aluminium, 99, 0% minimun and greater
2xxx Copper
3xxx Manganese
4xxx Silicon
5xxx Magnesium
6xxx Magnesium and Silicon
7xxx Zinc, Magnesium and / or Copper
Alloy EN Equivalent Previous German Equivalent
1070A Al 99,7 Al 99,7
6005A Al SiMg (A) AlMgSi 0,7
6061 Al MgSiCu -
6063 Al Mg0,7Si AlMgSi 0,5 F22
6082 Al SiMgMn AlMgSi 1

Furthermore, the extrusion technique, combined with the correct aluminium alloy and proper thermal treatment, offers an infinite number of application opportunities. It also forms the basis for product improvement. The thermal condition of the extrusion can be changed artificially or naturally and is referred to as the “temper” of the alloy indicated by symbols as shown in the table above (e.g. 6061 T6 or 6082 F).

The following alloys are available from Hulamin Extrusions, while others may be available on request.

Alloy Characteristics Typical Applications
1070A Low strength, non heat-treatable. Electrical components, bus bars, heat exchangers.
6063 Good extrudability and excellent anodising response. Architectural profiles, e.g. window frames.
6005A Medium strength. Road and rail transport, general engineering, light structures.
6061 Medium strength. Transport, structural applications.
6082 Medium strength. Transport, stressed structural applications.

Tolerances

Extruded profiles are produced to the tolerances indicated in our Data Book. The manufacturing tolerances are based on BS EN 755. Manufacturing to alternative standards (such as DIN) are also possible by prior arrangement.

Quality Assurance

The Hulamin Extrusions plants operate a quality system approved by ISO 9001, which allows quality management throughout the entire process starting with a comprehensive contract review to the shipment of product to customers.

Our laboratory facility has a range of equipment for spectrographic analysis, ultrasonic testing, drift testing, chemical composition and mechanical testing where required.

Extruded profiles are produced to the tolerances indicated in our Data Book. The manufacturing tolerances are based on BS EN 755. Manufacturing to alternative standards (such as DIN) are also possible by prior arrangement.

Hulamin Extrusions also operates an ISO 14001 environmental management system.