How is aluminum alloy lean tube produced?

The core production process of aluminum alloy lean tubes can be divided into three major stages: base material preparation, profile forming, and post-treatment. The specific process steps are as follows: First, base material melting and alloy composition adjustment: Using pure aluminum as the base, alloy elements such as magnesium, copper, zinc, and chromium are added in proportion, with the magnesium content controlled at 0.49%-0.9%, and zinc and chromium at about 0.1%, to form a wrought aluminum alloy formula that meets performance requirements.

Melting and casting rod: The prepared raw materials are put into a melting furnace, where impurities are removed through high-purity melting process, and then cast into standard-sized solid aluminum rod billets. The commonly used grade is 6061 series Al-Mg-Si aluminum alloy.
II. Heating and Extrusion Forming of Bar Materials: The aluminum bar is fed into a heating furnace and heated to a temperature range of 400-520°C (different materials require different temperatures), ensuring that the material has good plasticity.
High-pressure extrusion: The heated aluminum rod is fed into the extruder and passes through a customized mold under a high pressure of hundreds of MPa, extruding a special cross-section profile with a cross-shaped bi-directional positioning groove in one go. The extrusion process requires precise control of pressure, temperature, and extrusion speed, making it the most complex step in the entire process.
Straightening and cutting to length: The extruded profiles are prevented from sticking by traction and shaking dispersion, then straightened to eliminate internal stress, and cut into sections according to standard length.
III. Aging and Surface Treatment Aging Strengthening: The cut profiles are sent into an aging furnace for heat treatment to further enhance the material's strength and structural stability.
Surface finishing: First, impurities on the surface of the profile are removed through acid-base corrosion, followed by anodizing treatment to generate a dense Al₂O₃ oxide film with a thickness of over 10μm on the surface. Finally, a rust-proof, corrosion-resistant, bright, and wear-resistant finished aluminum alloy wire rod is formed.
Cleaning and packaging: Use high-pressure gas to clean the aluminum slag remaining inside the pipe. After passing inspection, neatly stack the pipes and seal them with plastic film for storage.
4. For subsequent assembly (at the finished product application end), cut to specified lengths as required, and combine with die-cast aluminum alloy lean tube connectors, casters, and other accessories to assemble workbenches, shelves, turnover carts, and other flexible structures for lean production.