Aluminium extrusion profiles for space
Custom design profiles and services for space missions
Benefits of aluminium extrusion for space applications at Mifa
Mifa is a space components manufacturer offering custom design and build services for deep space missions. We specialise in aluminium extrusion profiles tailored to exact requirements, combining expertise in materials, tolerances, and performance.
Through close co-engineering and early-stage prototyping, we develop efficient, high-quality designs that reduce time and cost. Our integrated production capabilities, including extrusion, machining, surface treatment, bending, and assembly – ensure a seamless transition from concept to final component.
Material
Aluminium offers multiple advantages for the space industry. It is incredibly strong, has a long lifespan, and provides excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, all of which are important in extreme circumstances.
Design freedom and consistent quality
Mifa’s precision is unparalleled; with a high degree of specialisation ensuring dimensional tolerances from ± 0.02 mm. This is ten times more precise than EN 12020-2, the standard norm in aluminium extrusion. This also surpasses the standard through properties such as straigthness, torsion, concentricity, parallelism and surface roughness.
Our profiles can also be processed in flexible quantities, in-house, through a process from extrusion to surface treatment. This allows us to take full responsibility of the production process and deliver the best possible result to our customers.
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Tolerances from ± 0.02 mm
Wall thicknesses from 0.25 mm: substantial weight savings
Profile weight from 0.003 kg/m to 10 kg/m
Profile dimensions from ø 3 mm up to ø 180 mm / 220 x 60 mm
Avoid/reduce costly machining (post) processing steps
Vertical integration: all processes can be realised in-house
Aluminium components for the space industry
Within the space sector, Mifa produces mission-critical aluminium components to various leading manufacturers around the world.
Thanks to our precision technology with tolerances from ± 0.02 mm, we can produce the following products for the space industry:
- Heat pipes
- Satellite frames
- Space satellite parts
Precision extrusion
With dimensional tolerances from ± 0.02 mm holes can be co-extruded into multi-core profiles.
CNC-machining
We have a modern machinery park with over 30 machines, where we can process products up to 4.5 meters in length.
The right alloy for space components
The right aluminium alloy for extruded space components is determined by the required balance between strength, formability, and application-specific performance criteria.
In practice, 6XXX series alloys such as EN AW 6061 and EN AW 6082 are commonly applied due to their well-balanced combination of mechanical strength, good formability, corrosion resistance, and machinability. For applications with higher strength requirements, 7XXX series alloys such as EN AW 7075 may be considered. At Mifa, we possess the expertise and knowledge of various aluminium and magnesium (aero)space alloys.
Mifa supports customers in selecting the most appropriate alloy by aligning material properties with design specifications and production requirements, ensuring optimal performance in demanding space applications.
Contact us for advise on the right alloy for your space application
Case: aluminum extrusion profiles for EHP in the space industry
Euro Heat Pipes (EHP) and Mifa have been collaborating for more than 25 years on thermal control systems for the aerospace industry. EHP develops advanced heat pipe solutions for satellites, including projects such as the OneWeb satellite constellation. To support these applications, Mifa supplies high-quality aluminum extrusion profiles and also provides machining and surface treatment services as part of an integrated turnkey solution.
Thanks to this long-standing partnership, EHP’s systems have collectively accumulated more than 250 million hours of trouble-free operation in space. The new long-term agreement highlights the shared ambition of both companies to continue developing reliable and innovative solutions for the growing aerospace sector.
A reliable custom aluminium extrusion partner for space applications
Our high-quality extrusion profiles are ensured through rigorous process monitoring and strict product control. Mifa is certified to AS9100 (also known as EN 9100), the internationally recognized quality standard for the aerospace industry. As an extrusion company that is AS9100 certified, Mifa is a market leader and expert for custom aluminium precision extrusion parts in Europe and the United States. Extrusion at Mifa is best for space applications, such as heat pipes and satellite frames that demind tight tolerances. What makes Mifa different in contrary to other suppliers is delivering continuous quality in every profile, with tolerances starting from ± 0.02; 10 times more accurate than the fine extrusion norm NEN-EN 12020-2.
Precision extrusion at Mifa in short:
- Tolerances from ± 0.02 mm
- Profile dimensions from ⌀ 3 mm up to ⌀ 180 mm / 220 x 60 mm
- Wall thicknesses from 0.25 mm
- AS9100, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certified
- Silver EcoVadis award in 2025 for sustainability and corporate social responsibility
Part of stocklisted company Aalberts
Mifa is part of the publicly listed company Aalberts, and, together with Aalberts, invests in high-quality and innovative technologies. This ensures we always have access to the best technologies and machines to produce your products. For the aerospace market, Mifa works closely with other companies within Aalberts. This collaboration ensures both quality and financial stability.
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Call or email Pascal
Segment Leader Aerospace