Alloys from recycled aluminum scrap containing high levels of iron and silicon

Abstract

Recycle friendly aluminum alloys are described which are variants of AA 3000 and AA 5000 series alloys containing higher than usual amounts of silicon and iron. The alloys contain in percentages by weight, more than 0.6-2.0% silicon, 0.9-2.4% iron, wherein the ratio of the amount of iron to the amount of silicon is in the range of 1.2-1.8:1. Other components of the alloys may include 0-0.4% copper, 0-1.5% manganese, 0-5.0% magnesium, 0-0.5% zinc, 0-3.5% chromium, 0-0.1% titanium and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.

1 . An aluminum alloy comprising, in percentages by weight: 
 more than 0.6-1.0% silicon, 0.9-1.2% iron, wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range of 1.2-1.8:1, and 0-0.4% copper, 0-1.5% manganese, 0-5.0% magnesium, 0-0.5% zinc, 0-3.5% chromium, 0-0.1% titanium and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.    
     
     
         2 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 1  wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range 1.3-1.6:1.  
     
     
         3 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 2  wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range 1.4-1.5:1.  
     
     
         4 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 1  wherein silicon is present in the range of 0.7-1.0%.  
     
     
         5 . An aluminum alloy suitable for the production of can bodies comprising, in percentages by weight more than 0.6-1.0% silicon, 0.9-1.2% iron, wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range 1.2-1.8:1, 0-0.4% copper, 0.7-1.5% manganese, 0.8-1.5% magnesium, 0-0.50% zinc and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         6 . An aluminum alloy that is a variant of AA 3105 containing more than 0.6-2.0% silicon, 0.9-2.4% iron, wherein the ratio of the amount of iron to the amount of silicon is in the range of 1.2-1.8:1, less than 0.3% copper, 0.3-0.8% manganese, 0.2-0.8% magnesium, less than 0.5% zinc and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         7 . An aluminum alloy that is a variant of AA 5052 containing more than 0.6-2.0% silicon, 0.9-2.4% iron, wherein the ratio of the amount of iron to the amount of silicon is in the range of 1.2-1.8:1, 0-0.1% copper, 0-0.1% manganese, 2.2-2.8% magnesium, 0-0.1% zinc, 0.15-0.35% chromium and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         8 . An aluminum alloy that is a variant of AA 5010 containing more than 0.6-2.0% silicon, 0.9-2.4% iron, wherein the ratio of the amount of iron to the amount of silicon is in the range of 1.2-1.8:1, 0-0.25% copper, 0.1-0.3% manganese, 0.2-0.6% magnesium, 0-0.5% zinc and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         9 . An aluminum alloy suitable for the production of can ends comprising, in percentages by weight: 
 more than 0.6-2.0% silicon, 0.9-2.4% iron, wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range of 1.2-1.8:1, 0-0.4% copper, 0.2-0.5% manganese, 4-5% magnesium, 0-0.1% chromium, 0-0.1% titanium, 0-0.5% zinc and the balance aluminum and incidental impurities.    
     
     
         10 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 9  wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range 1.3-1.6:1.  
     
     
         11 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 10  wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is in the range 1.4-1.5:1.  
     
     
         12 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 9  wherein silicon is present in the range of 0.7-1.5% and iron is present in the range of 0.9-2.0%.  
     
     
         13 . An aluminum alloy according to  claim 9  wherein silicon is present in the range of 0.7-1.5% and iron is present in the range of 0.9-1.5%.