Surface Finishing for Aluminum Extrusions

Aluminum extrusions are drawn through dies to produce aluminum parts with fixed cross-sectional profiles. With hot extrusion, a cylindrical billet of aluminum alloy is heated, forced through a die, and then cooled for subsequent straightening, work hardening, and sawing. Cold extrusions are produced at or near room temperature for closer tolerances and higher strength due to cold working. Both extrusion methods produce aluminum parts with complex cross-sections, but that require surface improvement.  

Radiusing and Deburring Aluminum
Aluminum extruders who supply the automotive, electronics, and appliance industries require aluminum shapes that are burr-free and slightly radiused. From air conditioner condenser tubes to fans and heat sinks for electronics applications, aluminum extrusions must be free of loose, torn, or folded metal that could cause flaking and interfere with heat dissipation. Extruded aluminum parts such as metal tracks, rails, frames, and mullions also require deburring to remove raised edges (burrs) or unwanted material.

NamPower™ Brushes for Surface Finishing
Aluminum extruders and fabricators use NamPower™ brush tools for surface finishing and the blending of tool marks after machining or grinding. Composed of flexible abrasive nylon filaments manufacture to a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic base, these high-performance brushing tools can be integrated with automated machinery, CNC machining centers, transfer lines, and robotic cells. Applications for NamPower™ nylon abrasive brushes include the deburring and resurfacing of aluminum auto parts. 

What’s Your Aluminum Extrusion Application?
From aluminum heat sink extrusions to aluminum angles, boxes, cases, tees, and tubing, Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) provides flexible honing tools and industrial brushes that offer superior surface finishing. So what’s your aluminum extrusion industry application for the Flex-Hone® and NamPower™? Let us know by commenting on this blog entry, or “talk to us” on these social media channels. 

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