Continuous method for reclaiming, melting and casting aluminum scrap

A continuous process for the recovery of an aluminum alloy from aluminum scrap containing more than one alloy, the recovery made in a manner which will conserve energy, the process which comprises:

• (a) providing a feedstock containing at least two components therein fabricated of different aluminum alloy products having different incipient melting temperatures;
• (b) heating the feedstock to a temperature sufficiently high to render fracture sensitive the component having the lowest incipient melting temperature;
• (c) subjecting said heated feedstock to agitation sufficient to cause said component having the lowest incipient melting temperature to fragment;
• (d) segregating said components based on said fragmentation;
• (e) melting on a continuing basis at least one of the components;
• and
• (f) thereafter continuously casting an aluminum alloy from said melted component without substantially upgrading the composition thereof, the cast alloy having a composition substantially the same as that from which said separated component was fabricated.

A continuous process for the recovery of an aluminum alloy from aluminum scrap containing more than one alloy, the recovery made in a manner which will conserve energy, the process which comprises:

• (a) providing a feedstock containing containers having body portions fabricated from AA 3004 and having ends thereon fabricated from AA 5182;
• (b) heating the feedstock to a temperature in the range of 900.degree. to 1155.degree. F. to initiate incipient melting of said AA 5182 end;
• (c) subjecting said feedstock to agitation sufficient to cause said ends to fragment and become detached from said bodies;
• (d) while maintaining the bodies and ends in a heated condition to minimize heat input required for melting, segregating said bodies from said ends and melting on a continuous basis the bodies recovered from said ends;
• and
• (e) thereafter continuously casting AA 3004 alloy from said melted components without substantially upgrading the composition thereof.

A continuous process for the recovery of an aluminum alloy from aluminum scrap containing more than one alloy, the recovery made in a manner which will conserve energy, the process which comprises:

• (a) providing a feedstock containing containers having body portions fabricated from AA 3004 and having ends thereon fabricated from AA 5182;
• (b) heating the feedstock to a temperature in the range of 900.degree. to 1155.degree. F. to initiate incipient melting of said AA 5182 end;
• (c) subjecting said feedstock to agitation sufficient to cause said ends to fragment and become detached from said bodies;
• (d) while maintaining the bodies and ends in a heated condition to minimize heat input required for melting, segregating said bodies from said ends and then melting on a continuous basis the bodies recovered from said ends;
• (e) thereafter continuously casting AA 3004 alloy from said melted components without substantially upgrading the composition thereof;
• (f) rolling said cast product to provide AA 3004 sheet stock suitable for forming into containers;
• (g) screening said fragmented ends to remove foreign materials therefrom;
• (h) melting said ends and upgrading the resulting melt by adding not greater than 1.0 wt.% Mg thereto;
• and
• (i) thereafter casting the adjusted melt resulting from said ends and rolling to provide a sheet stock suitable for forming into lids for containers.

An aluminum alloy sheet product recovered from aluminum scrap containing more than one alloy component, the sheet characterized by having substantially the same composition as the component from which it is recovered without substantially upgrading the major alloying components of the composition, the sheet recovered from the scrap by

• (a) providing a feedstock containing at least two components therein fabricated of different aluminum alloy products having different incipient melting temperatures;
• (b) heating the feedstock to a temperature sufficiently high to render fracture sensitive the component having the lowest incipient melting temperature;
• (c) subjecting said heated feedstock to agitation sufficient to cause said component having the lowest incipient melting temperature to fragment;
• (d) segregating said components based on said fragmentation;
• (e) melting on a continuing basis at least one of the components;
• (f) thereafter continuously casting an aluminum alloy from said melted component without substantially upgrading the composition thereof, the cast alloy having a composition substantially the same as that from which said separated component was fabricated;
• and
• (g) fabricating said cast alloy into sheet product.