The demand for sustainable metal production is driving innovation in aluminium recycling. The new preprint of our group led by Dr. Sebastian Samberger is available and it is entitled Impurity-Induced Phase Transformations in AlMgZn(Cu) Crossover Alloys: Pathways to Enhance Recycling Content and Processability.
Dr. Samberger explores how Fe/Si ratios and cooling rates influence phase transformations and microstructure evolution in novel aluminium crossover alloys. The study reveals two key transformations – the 6-to-3 and 6-to-α transitions – governed by these variables, significantly impacting processability.
Thermodynamic simulations and experimental validation confirm that higher cooling rates (≈60 K/s) lead to more desirable, spheroidized intermetallic phases, while slower rates (≤1 K/s) can hinder “rolling ability” due to coarser phase structures. By optimizing these parameters, industries can increase the recycled content in aluminum alloys while maintaining their mechanical integrity and manufacturability.
Recycling aluminium alloys is essential for reducing environmental impact and ensuring resource efficiency, but impurity management remains a challenge. This study highlights how strategic control of phase transformations can mitigate the negative effects of tramp elements like Fe and Si, facilitating better material performance. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored solidification conditions to achieve optimal microstructures, enhancing the viability of high-recycled-content alloys. As industries push toward more sustainable manufacturing, insights like these pave the way for improving aluminium upscaling techniques, reducing waste, and maintaining the quality required for high-performance applications.
Access to the preprint here!
Samberger, Sebastian and Weißensteiner, Irmgard and Tunes, Matheus Araujo and Stemper, Lukas and Kainz, Christina and Morak, Roland and Uggowitzer, Peter J. and Pogatscher, Stefan, Impurity-Induced Phase Transformations in AlMgZn(Cu) Crossover Alloys: Pathways to Enhance Recycling Content and Processability. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5151309 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5151309
Materials at Extremes 