Extrusion is an industrial process that involves forcing materials such as metal, plastic, or rubber through dies of various shapes and sizes to produce profiles or objects with specific cross-sections.
Invented in 1852 by Alexander Parkes for the production of metal filaments, the method has evolved significantly over time. Today, it is a widely used technique for manufacturing a broad range of products, especially in plastic and rubber, thanks to its efficiency, versatility, and ability to create complex shapes with high precision and continuous production flow.
How plastic extrusion works
The plastic extrusion process begins with selecting the type of plastic best suited for the desired end product, which is then heated in a specialized machine until it reaches a molten state. This molten plastic is then fed into an extrusion chamber.
Once ready, the material moves through a die that has shapes for controlling how the plastic is shaped. What a product needs to become will decide the shape of the die, giving way to tubes, sheets, profiles, wires and more shapes.
The part is taken out of the mold and cooled as quickly as possible, so it hardens and does not change shape. Once the extrusion process is over, the bits are cut to length or size for later needs.
Applications
Since thermoforming works quickly, is effective and is affordable, it attracts many manufacturers who want to create complex shapes with plastic. They are usually suited to use in many fields like:
Automotive sector: In cars, extrusion is often used to produce items that are lightweight and strong such as the exhaust pipes and body profiles. They contribute to better vehicle operation, reduced fuel use and uphold high quality and durability;
Construction industry: There is heavy use of extrusion in this sector for making pipes, window profiles and roofing membranes. Extruded materials protect buildings from harsh weather and provide long service which is very important.
Packaging: There is heavy use of extrusion in this sector for making pipes, window profiles and roofing membranes. Extruded materials protect buildings from harsh weather and provide long service which is very important.
Electronics and aerospace: Manufacturing fields such as electronics and aerospace make use of extrusion to design key components. The components used by aerospace and automotive manufacturers must be very accurate, lightweight and strong, to perform at the highest level.
Why use this technique
This technique offers several advantages that make it a highly valued method in industrial manufacturing. First of all, it is an extremely versatile process, capable of creating a wide variety of shapes and sizes—from tubes to sheets, from profiles to many other three-dimensional objects.
As a result, finishes like shiny, level or textured can be chosen for the product based on what is needed.
Another key benefit of this technique is the high quality of the final product, which is uniform and durable. This makes it suitable for many different uses, from construction to industrial manufacturing.
In addition, extrusion is a cost-effective technique, enabling the production of plastic items at a low cost without compromising quality. The process is also relatively simple and fast to perform, allowing for efficient, large-scale production.
Since plastic extrusion is versatile, good value, high quality and straightforward, it is a top process for making different types of plastic products (called extrusions).
