Material Comparison
Chart compares aluminum to roll-formed steel and copper extrusions, as well as molded plastic, wood, and vinyl; Competitive Materials Spotlight publication.

Alloys
International alloy designations; Alloys Spotlight publication.

Extrusion Process
Process overview, billet, dies/tooling, extrusion operation, aging, packaging, environmental characteristics, complete with diagrams and photos.

Extrusion Design
Design concerns and alternatives; Design Spotlight publication.

Dies & Tooling
Die and tooling descriptions, specifications, and characteristics.

Tolerance
Specific standards and recommendations.

Finishes
Liquid paints (coating specifications comparison chart), powder coatings, anodizing, mechanical finishes, and chemical finishes; Anodizing Spotlight and Coatings Spotlight publications.

Resources
Additional resources can be found in:
•  Publications
•  Links of Interest
•  Glossary
•  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
•  Technical Question & Answer*
*This service is intended to aid designers, specifiers, purchasers, and other end-users of extruded profiles. Questions are submitted to Dr. Lynne Karabin, a consultant in the areas of advanced aluminum-alloy development and microstructure/property characterization.