LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN IMPACT EXTRUDED ALUMINUM ALLOYS

New trends leading away from small, simple impacts in soft aluminum alloys are cited. Among these are longer, larger, and more complex impacts in stronger, heat treatable alloys and in compacted sintered aluminum powder for higher temperatures. Large complex parts are produced at Hunter Douglas Aluminum Division having multiple O.D.'s and I.D.'s, nonsymmetrical cross sections, and bosses mid-length on their O.D.'s or I.D.'s. Examples and possible new applications are mentioned. Improved extrusion blanks or billets, lubricants, presses, and tooling are credited for making these developments possible.