Aluminum Extrusion in China — Complete Guide for Global Buyers
China produces over 25 million tons of aluminum extrusions annually.
How Aluminum Extrusion Works
A heated aluminum billet (450-500 C) is forced through a steel die using a hydraulic press. The resulting profile emerges with a constant cross-section, cooled, stretched, and cut to length.
By the Numbers: China has over 2,000 aluminum extrusion presses. The largest presses (5,000-8,000 US tons) can produce profiles up to 600mm in circumscribing circle diameter.
Major Extrusion Alloys
| Grade | Characteristics | Applications |
|---|
| 6063 T5/T6 | Best extrudability, good finish | Window frames, railings, trim |
| 6061 T6 | Higher strength, good machinability | Structural frames, truck platforms |
| 6005A T6 | Good strength-to-weight | Rail car structures, scaffolding |
| 6082 T6 | Highest strength in 6xxx series | Bridges, cranes, transport |
| 7075 T6 | Aerospace-grade strength | Aircraft structural parts |
Surface Finishing Options
- Anodizing: Class AA10-AA25, color finishes
- Powder coating: Polyester or PVDF, 500+ RAL colors
- Electrophoresis: High corrosion resistance
- Wood grain / Marble transfer
- Mechanical or chemical polishing
Leading Extrusion Clusters
- Foshan (Guangdong): The extrusion capital. Nanhai District alone has 200+ factories.
- Jiangyin / Wuxi (Jiangsu): Industrial and transportation extrusions.
- Binzhou (Shandong): Vertically integrated with aluminum smelters.
- Zhengzhou (Henan): Large-scale industrial aluminum.
Quality Certifications
- ISO 9001, IATF 16949
- Qualicoat, Qualanod (architectural finishing)
- AAMA 2603/2604/2605 (US spec)
- EN 755, EN 12020 (European standards)
Sourcing Tips
- MOQ: 500-1,000 kg per profile
- Die cost: $200-$800 (solid) to $500-$2,500 (hollow)
- Lead time: Die 7-15 days, extrusion 10-20 days, finishing 5-10 days
- Packaging: Paper interleaving + shrink wrap + wooden crate
- Payment: T/T 30% deposit + 70% before shipment