Hydro Closes US Plants Shifting Aluminum Extrusion Sourcing Channels
Buyers must adjust logistics routes as Hydro closes aluminum extrusion plants in California and Louisiana.
Aluminum Extrusion
Forming Method
Metal shaping processes force heated billet material through a shaped die opening to produce continuous lengths of uniform cross-sectional geometry. Aluminum extrusion provides structural profiles, architectural channels and transport components with fixed dimensions along their longitudinal axis. The process stops applying when metal is worked purely through rolling, forging or casting without being forced through an orifice die.
Tooling Profile
Heated cylindrical billets of aluminum alloy, typically from the 6000 series, enter a hydraulic press at temperatures between 400 and 500 degrees Celsius where a ram exerts thousands of tonnes of pressure. Steel dies govern the external perimeter and internal voids of the profile, requiring liquid nitrogen cooling to manage thermal expansion and extend tool life during long production runs. Post-press handling involves pullers that guide the profile onto cooling tables, followed by mechanical stretchers that relieve internal stress and straighten the length before cutting.
Subsequent artificial aging in precipitation furnaces increases tensile yield strength according to specific temper designations such as T6.
Output Parameter
Dimensional tolerances for wall thickness, twist and straightness follow EN 755 or ASTM B221 standards, establishing acceptable limits for industrial assembly. Surface finish requirements determine whether profiles proceed directly to packaging or undergo anodizing or powder coating to prevent corrosion. Aluminum extrusion remains a dominant fabrication method for structural frames across transport and building sectors.