Aluminum is a highly versatile metal, and its exceptional malleability makes it compatible with myriad metalworking techniques. Extruding this material, or forcing it through a die with the desired cross-section for shaping, generates durable, corrosion-resistant parts with widespread product applications. For example, the many advantages of aluminum extrusions make them well-suited to a range of military, defense, and aerospace projects. These industries rely on high-performance materials and components that are light in weight yet rugged and strong enough to withstand harsh conditions.
Since 1987, PSI Industries, Inc. has specialized in quality custom aluminum extrusions to support the applications of a diverse client base. Learn more about our capabilities and the benefits of aluminum extrusions for our customers in the defense and aerospace sectors.
Aluminum Extrusion Services
From part design and manufacturing to secondary and finishing services, PSI strives to offer turnkey solutions for our defense and aerospace clients. As an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer, we’re dedicated to quality in everything we do. Our team only uses certified aluminum alloys 6061 and 6063 for their workability, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance, giving you the highest-quality end result.
Our automated extrusion presses and advanced handling systems enable us to produce complex, tight-tolerance components per your exact specifications and Mil-Spec standards. These presses range in tonnage from 525 to 1500 tons, handling angles, tubes, channels, and custom shapes between 2.5 and 6.0 inches with minimal lead times. Best of all, through our vertically integrated capabilities, our company is able to pass cost savings along to our customers for lower per-part pricing.
Why Aluminum Is Perfect for Defense & Aerospace Applications
Aluminum lends a host of benefits to extrusions for the defense and aerospace markets. Its primary advantages include the following:
- Optimal strength-to-weight ratio. One of aluminum’s primary benefits is being a lightweight yet strong metal. The defense and aerospace sectors prize durable components that don’t add unnecessary weight to aircraft, vehicles, and other equipment while ensuring structural integrity. Lightweight parts also support greater fuel efficiency.
- High malleability and maximal precision. From housings to structural components, defense and aerospace parts are often intricate in design. Due to the malleable nature of aluminum, it’s a highly formable and machinable metal that’s an ideal choice for extrusions in these industries. Its properties give aluminum greater versatility, allowing us to extrude it into simple to complex profiles with precision for optimal part performance.
- Resistance to corrosion. Aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion, which would otherwise degrade defense and aerospace components and negatively impact their performance and lifespan. Equipment for these markets must be able to withstand everything from saltwater to harsh environmental conditions, so choosing corrosion-resistant aluminum reduces maintenance needs over time.
- Electromagnetic shielding capabilities. We can provide aluminum extrusions that offer electromagnetic shielding, helping safeguard defense and aerospace systems from interference. This is particularly important for these industries to protect secure data and communications.
- Impressive thermal conductivity. As a highly thermally conductive metal, aluminum supports ideal heat dissipation to manage temperatures in sensitive defense and aerospace components. Vehicles, electrical systems, military equipment, and more require heat management to maintain their functionality, and aluminum heat sinks are compatible with such applications.
- Cost-effectiveness. Not only is aluminum available in abundance, which helps make it an economical choice, but the extrusion process using aluminum is highly cost-effective as well. We can produce high volumes of consistent aluminum extrusions in complex configurations without further machining — all without sacrificing quality or budget.
- 100% recyclability. Aluminum is fully recyclable, and it also takes less energy for companies to extract and process it. These characteristics, along with the minimal waste generation of the extrusion process, make it a sustainable material option for aerospace and defense products.
Contact PSI Industries, Inc. to Get Started
From single prototypes to large-scale production runs, PSI is your one-stop shop for full-service aluminum extruding and exceptional customer support. We pride ourselves on our industry-best lead times and offer an extensive catalog of common standard extrusions. Should custom extrusions best meet your needs, however, our team will work with you to gain an in-depth understanding of your desired product and its application to offer design assistance and comprehensive custom manufacturing solutions. Contact our team today to discover the PSI difference.