Increased use of recycled aluminium in foundry processes

Purpose and goal

The project will study the possibilities of increasing tolerance to undesirable contents of alloying elements in aluminum in order to be able to go from primary aluminum to more environmentally friendly recycled aluminum. Less stringent requirements for alloy content will enable a wider use of recycled aluminum, as well as simpler and cheaper circular handling of aluminum components. The project will increase knowledge about the impact of alloying elements on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance with the aim to achieve sufficiently good properties.

Expected effects and result

Increasing acceptable element tolerances, compared to primary aluminium alloys, that are reachable in commercially available recycled aluminium from post-consumer scrap with a minimum of low alloyed aluminium such as profiles and wrought alloys will make recycled aluminium into a long-term alternative to primary aluminium.

Planned approach and implementation

The project begins with literature studies with the focus areas mechanical properties and corrosion properties of recycled aluminum. The results from the literature studies then form the basis for alloy compositions in a number of alloys that will be cast in an experimental foundry and then tested and analyzed. In a final step, the most promising alloys will be high pressure die-cast and gravity die-cast, respectively, at commercial foundries.