STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF DIE BEARING LENGTH ON METAL FLOW IN ALUMINUM EXTRUSION PROCESS

Abstract

The design of aluminum extrusion mold has to consider the metal flow characteristics and control of flow velocity in order to yield the desired part dimensions and geometries .  Mold bearing is a major factor affecting the flow velocity of aluminum during the extrusion process. To understand the effects of bearing size on metal flow behavior andf low balancing in the aluminum extrusion process, this research aims at investigating such effects in which a set of experiments was carried out by extruding 6063 aluminumalloy under the different bearing sizes of  2,2.5, 3.5 and 4 times the work piece thickness.   The dimensions of work piece obtained from the extrusion process were measured. The results revealed that the continuous metal flow, conformed dimensions of work piece and no sign of defects in the work surface were achievable when the bearing size of 2.5 times the work piece thickness was applied at the outer sides of extrusion mold.   The implification of this study would provide an essential guideline for mold design and balancing of metal flow in extrusion process so as controlling of product quality obtained.