Round bar is one of the most commonly used types of aluminum extrusions in most applications and industries. However, aluminum round bar can also be made by three other methods that also create the desired shape and precise tolerances.
The other ways to make round bar include rolling and coiling or drawing the round bar from molten material. Regardless of the process, the result is a long, bar that is often further machined to create specific shapes that contain simple to complex elements.
Bar Vs. Rod
In many industries, the terms aluminum rod and aluminum bar are used interchangeably. However, there is an important consideration to keep in mind. Aluminum rod is always round in shape, or circular when cut crosswise. Aluminum bar can be round, or it can have flat sides.
The third term that can sometimes be used for aluminum round bar is aluminum tube. Unlike rod or bar, tube is hollow in the center. This can also be referred to aluminum pipe when it is developed to specific standards and used to transport any type of media from liquids to gels in processing plants or other types of applications.
Creating Round Bar
The extrusion method of producing aluminum round bar is identical to the method used to produce other standard and custom aluminum extrusions. The raw aluminum, which is in the form of a large ingot, is heated to the semi-solid state. It is then, under pressure, forced through a die or a series of dies that make a progressively smaller and smaller rod.
There are different alloys possible with round bar. The type of aluminum alloy used in the production of the bar will have a direct impact on weldability, machinability and resistant to stress, corrosion, and even extreme temperatures.
