Magnesium alloy hot extrusion profiles
Magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles are magnesium alloy products with specific cross-sectional shapes produced through a hot extrusion process. These profiles include I-shaped, channel-shaped, angled, and special-shaped profiles. They combine lightweighting with high strength and excellent formability, and are widely used in construction, transportation, electronics, and other fields. Compared to aluminum alloy profiles, magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles have a lower density and higher specific strength, enabling more significant weight reduction under the same load-bearing conditions. They also possess excellent shock absorption and electromagnetic shielding properties, making them suitable for applications requiring high dynamic performance. The materials used are mostly AZ, AM, and ZK series magnesium alloys. By adjusting the alloy composition and extrusion process, different mechanical properties can be achieved to meet diverse design requirements.
The production process of hot-extruded magnesium alloy profiles is complex, and strict requirements are placed on die design and extrusion parameter control. First, a special die is designed according to the cross-sectional shape of the profile. The metal flow state is analyzed using finite element simulation software, and the die hole profile and working band size are optimized to ensure uniform metal filling during the extrusion process and avoid cross-sectional distortion. High-quality magnesium alloy ingots are selected, heated to 300-420°C after homogenization annealing, and fed into the extrusion barrel of the extruder. They are extruded through the die under high pressure. During the extrusion process, the extrusion speed needs to be adjusted according to the complexity of the profile (usually 1-8m/min). For special-shaped cross-section profiles, low-speed extrusion is often used to ensure the integrity of the cross-sectional shape. The extruded profiles are cooled, straightened, and cut to length. Some products undergo aging treatment to increase strength. Finally, surface treatment and dimensional inspection are performed to ensure compliance with standards.
In the field of electronics and communications equipment, magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles are the core material for making structural frames. The outer shell frame of a laptop computer uses a U-shaped magnesium alloy hot-extruded profile, which not only provides support for the internal components, but also reduces vibration during operation of the equipment through its own rigidity. At the same time, its lightweight characteristics make the computer more portable. In the antenna bracket of a 5G communication base station, a grooved magnesium alloy hot-extruded profile replaces part of the steel profile, which can reduce the load of the base station and reduce the difficulty of installation. The good electromagnetic shielding performance helps to reduce the interference of external signals on the base station. In addition, in the field of medical equipment, the outer shell frame of a portable ultrasound device uses a magnesium alloy hot-extruded profile, which can reduce the weight of the equipment while ensuring structural strength, making it easier for medical staff to move and use it.
Demand for magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles is growing in the transportation and construction sectors. In automotive manufacturing, components such as seat frames and instrument panel brackets utilize I-shaped or special-shaped magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles, assembled into a single structure through welding or bolting. This reduces weight by over 40% compared to traditional steel frames, and offers excellent shock absorption, enhancing ride comfort. In rail transit, magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles are used in train interior support structures. These profiles not only meet lightweight requirements but also enable integrated installation through complex cross-sectional designs, reducing the number of parts. In the construction sector, small solar panels utilize magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles. Their weather resistance, after surface treatment, allows them to withstand outdoor environments. Their lightweight nature facilitates transportation and installation, reducing construction costs.
With the continuous development of lightweighting technology, breakthroughs continue to be made in the production technology and application scope of magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles. By developing large-scale extrusion equipment, companies can produce profiles with larger cross-sectional dimensions to meet the large-scale structural needs of high-speed rail, aviation and other fields. At the same time, by precisely controlling the extrusion temperature and cooling rate, the grain structure of the profile is refined, improving the matching of its strength and toughness. In terms of sustainable development, the high recycling rate of magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles makes them a preferred material for green manufacturing, meeting the environmental protection requirements of the automotive and construction industries. In the future, with the rapid development of industries such as 3C products and new energy vehicles, magnesium alloy hot-extruded profiles will replace traditional materials in more fields, promoting technological upgrades in related industries.
