Radial Extrusion Process

Starting with an explanation of the radial extrusion process, a selected feedstock is channelled into the continuous rotary extrusion machine which houses a rotating grooved wheel (ranging from 300mm to 500mm in diameter). Frictional pressure is constantly applied to the feedstock as it is processed by means of a coining roll. The groove in the rotating wheel is subsequently closed by tooling plates and the feedstock path is blocked by means of an abutment.

As a result of the continuous feed of the material, the abutment area experiences pressure by volume and high temperature due to shear forces, and the feedstock becomes plastic. The extrusion die acts as a pressure relief conduit, driving the plasticised feedstock through the die. The application of variant extrusion dies allows production flexibility and the ability to produce a selection of different outputs, i.e. tubes and solids.