A curved extrusion includes a body that has indefinite length and a
cross-section, and that is formed to contour and at least one channel cut
into the cross-section that is filled with deposited material such that
said cross-section of said body is restored. By cutting the channels into
the cross-section of the extrusion, the extrusion may be easily formed
onto a contoured tool to be curved with lower forming and residual
stresses and distortion. By filling the channels with deposited material,
the original cross-section and strength of the extrusion can be restored.
By adding a transverse stiffener, the strength of the original extrusion
may not only be restored but also further improved. By depositing
material to create structural features the cross-section of the extrusion
may be locally changed. The method for forming curved extrusions of the
present invention may be used, for example, to produce T-chords of an
aircraft.