Tangential Extrusion Process

The tangential extrusion process enables the production of co-axial products (coated product with a core). It is possible to sheath or clad soft and hard cores using this method.

In the sheathing process, aluminium sheaths are applied to soft cable cores for use in end products such as community antenna television cables (CATV), fibre optic ground wire cables (OPGW) and trace heating elements (copper core with an aluminium sheathing for specialist applications).

The process is identical to that used in radial continuous extrusion until the plasticised feedstock reaches the extrusion die.

At this point, the extrusion die forms the feedstock into a tube, into which the required core material is simultaneously inserted through a mandrel. A significant air gap is allowed between the extruded tube and the core material to prevent heat damage during extrusion. After cooling, the tube is pulled through a draw process to tighten the extruded tube onto the core material.

The cladding process is typically used for applying an aluminium coating to high tensile steel wire (ACS wire) for use in the power transmission industry, or for zinc coating on steel wire or tubes.

Again, the process is identical to radial continuous extrusion until the feedstock reaches the extrusion die. At this point the plasticised feedstock flows into a holding chamber through which the core material is pulled. The extrusion die capacity ensures that the feedstock forms the necessary clad thickness.