Those in the automotive industries are constantly in search of innovative products, which they can use in their productions. Primarily the extruded profiles used in the Automotive industry can be divided into two sections. On one side it is the ever popular Aluminium extruded profiles. On the other side is now the extruded profiles made of plastic extrusion which is gaining rapid popularity.

What ever be the nature of material of the extruded profiles asking any of the engineers at the helm of the Automotive applications and they would list the following qualities required from the extruded profiles.

• Demands for lower weight
• Choosing the appropriate material
• Joining the materials properly
• High quality production
• Challenging designs and adherence complex designs
• Protection from adverse climatic condition

Types of Extruded Profiles in Automotive Industry.
As already stated Extruded Profiles in use in automotive industry can be divided into two broad categories. They are:

• Aluminium Extruded Profiles in Automotive Industry
• Rubber Extruded Profiles in Automotive Industry

Aluminium Extruded profiles in Automotive Industry
Aluminium extrusion manufacturers, these day are continually improving their products or processes in order to give the most effective automotive engineering solutions. Automotive manufacturers are closing in on aluminium extrusions in their quest for vehicles with lighter weights. Aluminium extruded sections are used in demanding structural applications. Let's have closer look at the enormous range of extruded parts or section that is used in a passenger car. The parts that are used is divided into two parts front and the rear.

• Structural parts
  Extruded sections like Frames and subframes are manufactured from closed-section profiles. For a perfect shape they are hydroformed three-dimensionally. Crossmembers and brackets are welded to these for formation of a complete assembly. Examples of typical structural parts that are made of extruded aluminium includes impact beams, radiator mounts, dashboard braces, d bumpers etc.
  
  
• Fuel systems and engine products
  Engine parts are made from aluminium extrusions. Typical parts include fuel rails and distribution components, brackets, engine mounts, valve covers charge-air pipes(hydroformed) etc.
  
  
• Safety parts
  Safety parts like Airbag Housing impact Beams are also made of extruded profiles. Another important safety part is the Side intrusion beam. With growing innovation in automotive parts customers these days expect safety features like side intrusion beams, as a standard supply feature. But the potential problem is that of the increasing weight of the vehicle. Extruded side intrusion beams, addresses these problems effectively and supply them as fully fabricated assemblies, ready tobe fitted straight into a vehicle door.
  
  
• Roof rails
  Roof rails adds value to passenger cars by adding the much needed versatility. The criteria for roof rails is on two fronts that of achieving low weights along with a strong aesthetic appeal. Extrusion makers rise to this demand by optimising the alloy composition, a precise process control and appropriate heat treatment. Products manufactured in such a way has the necessary structural capability, as well as lending itself to be formed consistently into a ‘sweep’ bend.
  
  
• Seat tracks and seating components
  Seating parts made of aluminium extrusions gas thrown up new possibilities in car accessories. Using Serration tools, cost-effective high-precision seat slides are produced. Also structural seat parts, like back rests are also made from extrusions. These are then improvised through friction stir welding for achieving the required shape and size.
  
  
• High-finished trim
  Durable aluminium extrusions are used as trim around door openings, on the dash boards, behind door handles, and numerous other places on the interior of a car. dash boards. These high finish trim parts have now caught the fancy of the car manufacturers.
  
  
• Sun roof channels
  Aluminium extrusions, are a perfect choice when it comes to making of sunroof channels. The extruded parts gives multiple features. They can come in complex shapes, and help reduce costs. Sunroof channels basically form part of a sliding system. So the criteria is a surface that is smooth, offers low friction and hard wearing. Manufacturers of extruded parts complies to this strict product norms by making use of mill-product extrusions. Further improvement of the surface is brought about by anodising with a layer of aluminium oxide.
  
  
• Heat Exchangers
  Heat exchangers like condenser tubes can be made from aluminium extrusions. The features needed for this intricate products include multi-chambers and hollow sections. The role of precision die technology is very pertinent here. Novel die insert technologies are now developed by Suppliers along with original equipment manufactures resulting in significant reduction in tooling costs.
  
  

Features of Aluminium Extrusion
These days Aluminium extruded profiles used in the automobile industries comes with many added features that ensures minimalism and multi-functionality. Besides things like profiles of right thickness and radius. Some of these features are:

• Innovative friction stir welding
• Multiple bending methods
• Effective Surface Treatment method
• Proper Machining and assembling
• Unlimited shaping possibilities with hydroforming
• Near net shape extrusions
• Final shape fabrication techniques

Rubber Extruded profiles in Automotive Industry
Extruded rubber products these days have made inroads into the automotive industry. Whether it is a seal or a belt, products using extruded rubber are everywhere. The following image shows a cross section of products most of which are used in automobiles.

• Corner Buffer
  Corner Buffers (heavyweight) are used for giving drivers maximum visibility. Ideally they are prepared using black and yellow stripes. The solid rubber buffers made of rubber extrusion (medium weight) can be easily bonded and screwed to brick works or concrete columns. It proves very useful for protection of property, entrances, corners, columns that are exposed to vehicle or warehouse traffic.
  
  
• Glazing profiles
  Glazing profiles are used in buses and other vehicles. They are used between window and the main body, or between door and the main body. These extruded components are made using EPDM type rubber. The advantages include:
  • Cross-section design ideal for perfectly gripping the glass and the automotive body
  • Provide a perfect sealing
  • Avoids rattling noise
  • Provides optimal protection form external environment, like dust, water etc.
  
  
  
• Windshield seals
  Very important of all the sealing items used in vehicles. An ideal Windshield seal to be applied in vehicular use should have:
  • Ozone resistance
  • Ageing properties
  • Conformance to cross section profile parameters
  • Zero tolerance
  
  
  
• Flocked profiles
  Flocked profiles are also another category of rubber extruded profiles having use in automobiles.
  
  
• Sponge profiles and Tubings
  Another popular example of extruded profiles. These components are a popular feature in automotive air-conditioning. Features that makes them particularly useful includes:
  • Use of high-end sponge compounds
  • Low specific gravity
  • High porosity on the inside