Aluminium tubes are among the most versatile and widely utilised components, especially if you choose services like tube swaging. You can use them in all sorts of applications. They are corrosion resistant, lightweight, and strong. These features make them perfect for many environments.
Two main types of aluminium tubing exist; seamless and extruded. In this post, we will compare the applications and properties of the two. Additionally, we want to talk about what the best type to use will be for a specific application.
What are these tubes like?
We will start by looking at extruded tubes. You make these by forcing a billet of aluminium through a die. Said die is a hollow profile that moulds the metal into a particular shape. The extrusion procedure is able to generate all kinds of shapes. Examples include triangular, rectangular, square, and round tubing.
Extruded tubing tends to be stronger than seamless. The reason is that the extrusion operation aligns the grains of the aluminium in the direction of the tubing’s axis. Such an alignment of the grains makes the tubes more resistant to twisting and bending.
What’s more, extruded tubes are less expensive than the alternative. The reason for this is that the extrusion procedure is more efficient.
As for seamless tubes, they are made differently. You pierce a hole in a billet of aluminium. Then, you draw the hole out to form a tube. The drawing procedure is a continuous one that stretches the metal. It does so until it generates a tube with uniform wall thickness.
Seamless aluminium tubes come with a smoother exterior compared to extruded ones. The reason for this is the drawing operation doesn’t produce any seams or welds in the tubes.
However, seamless tubes are trickier to manufacture. The drawing operation here needs more precise control of the rate of aluminium deformation and temperature. Contact us if you find yourself in need of tube swaging.
Applications
The applications of extruded aluminium tubes include structural ones. They are important here for the strength they provide. For instance, you can use them to construct bridges, buildings, and other structures. You can also utilise them to manufacture appliances, furniture, and similar consumer goods.
Transportation applications make use of these tubes too. This includes the manufacture of planes, boats, trucks, and cars. You need them for these vehicles as the tubing is strong but lightweight.
Industrial applications also need these tubes. This includes the manufacture of tools, equipment, and machinery. They are utilised in these as they are corrosion resistant and durable. So, you can use them in harsher settings.
For the applications of seamless aluminium tubes, the food and beverage industry makes good use of them. This is because they have a smooth surface finish and are non-reactive. As such, they are excellent for storing or transporting beverages or food.
In the medical industry, seamless tubes are necessary for manufacturing IV tube and similar medical tools. They are useful for these applications since they have a smooth surface finish and are easy to sterilise.
Lastly, the aerospace uses the tubes to manufacture fuselages and aircraft wings. They are used here as they are strong and lightweight. Aircraft require components with both attributes.
You can depend on our tube swaging skills
At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we’re known for our first class services. Whenever someone finds themselves needing to adapt tubes, they can come to us with confidence. Whether you are working with aluminium, steel, brass, or copper, we can help.
So, please let us know if we can help you in some way with our tube swaging services. We also offer a range of others too, including bending and drilling if you need them too.