Method of recycling aluminum scrap into sheet material for aluminum containers

Abstract

A composition and method whereby aluminum scrap, including consumer scrap, is recycled into aluminum sheet and aluminum containers. Aluminum scrap is melted in a heated furnace to form a melt composition. The melt is adjusted to form the present composition, consisting essentially of silicon, 0.1-1.0%; iron 0.1-0.9%; manganese 0.4-1.0%; magnesium 1.3-2.5%; copper 0.05-0.4%; and titanium, 0-0.2%, the balance being essentially aluminum. Aluminum scrap comprising consumer scrap, plant scrap, and can making scrap is heated to form the melt composition, which requires a minimum amount of adjustment to arrive at the present alloy composition. The composition is then cast and fabricated into sheet having strength and formability properties making it suitable for container manufacture. Container manufacture according to the process and composition of the present invention comprises drawn-and-ironed can body manufacture and easy-opening end manufacture. Sheet fabrication according to the present invention comprises direct chill casting, scalping, preheating, hot breakdown rolling, continuous hot rolling, annealing, cold rolling and shearing. Sheet manufacture may also comprise continuous strip casting and solution heat treatment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.