High-plasticity aluminum alloy prepared from secondary aluminum and preparation method

Abstract

The invention belongs to but is not limited to the technical field of aluminum alloy preparation, and discloses a high-plasticity aluminum alloy prepared from secondary aluminum and a preparation method, high-quality secondary aluminum waste is selected, and obvious impurities are removed; carrying out chemical or mechanical cleaning on the secondary aluminum, and sorting; the pretreated secondary aluminum waste is added into a smelting furnace to be smelted; a purifying agent is added for melt purification; the melt is further purified through inert gas stirring and standing; adding a proper amount of alloy elements into the melt; under the protection of inert gas, uniformly stirring the melt; casting the melt into a cast ingot by adopting a semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process; controlling the cooling speed; carrying out homogenizing heat treatment on the cast ingot to eliminate composition segregation in the cast ingot; and extruding and rolling to obtain the high-plasticity aluminum alloy material. According to the method, the purity of the aluminum alloy is improved, the performance uniformity is enhanced, and the aluminum alloy material with high plasticity and excellent mechanical performance is obtained and is suitable for industrial application with high requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to but is not limited to the technical field of aluminum alloy preparation, and in particular relates to a high-plasticity aluminum alloy prepared by using recycled aluminum and a preparation method. Background Art

[0002] In the current production process of aluminum alloys, the cost of using high-purity primary aluminum is high, and the impact on the environment during the production process is large. As an important resource, recycled aluminum has significant economic and environmental benefits. However, there are the following technical problems in the preparation process of recycled aluminum:

[0003] 1. Purity problem: Recycled aluminum usually contains impurities and residues of alloy elements, which will affect the final properties of the aluminum alloy, especially plasticity and strength.

[0004] 2. Performance uniformity: It is difficult to ensure the performance uniformity of aluminum alloys prepared from recycled aluminum, and unstable performance is prone to occur.

[0005] 3. Process control: The process of preparing high-performance aluminum alloys using recycled aluminum is complex and requires precise control of alloy composition and processing parameters to ensure the high plasticity and other mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy.

[0006] Prior art 1 (CN202311775653.2) A regenerated aluminum energy-saving smelting process, characterized in that the regenerated aluminum energy-saving smelting process comprises the following steps: the first step is pretreatment, the recycled scrap aluminum material is pre-cleaned to remove surface impurities and then crushed by a crusher, the crushed raw materials are screened according to the process requirements to obtain blocks with a size not exceeding 50 mm; the second step is preheating and purification, the screened qualified blocks are sent to the preheating furnace for preheating and drying after electromagnetic sorting to remove other metal impurities, and the organic impurities remaining on the blocks are removed, and the harmful gases generated in the process are sent to the flue gas purification system; the third step is melting, the blocks are added to the melting furnace for high-temperature rapid melting, and then the molten high-temperature melt is introduced into the melting furnace through the drainage trough according to the process requirements, and the refining agent is added to the melt for self-heating refining; the fourth step is ingot casting, the refined melt is left to stand and then cast into aluminum ingots. Through the above method, the present invention can reduce the gas consumption and system power consumption in production, the raw material burnout rate is also significantly reduced, and the final product purity is higher.

[0007] Prior art 2 (CN202310543673.0) A rim aluminum alloy sheet with recycled aluminum as the main raw material, step S1, with recycled aluminum as the main raw material, according to the above weight percentage ratio, respectively weigh the components in the raw material for preparing the aluminum alloy sheet, adopt a semi-continuous casting method, control the melting temperature during semi-continuous casting to be 740-760°C, the casting temperature to be 690-710°C, the stable production speed of the product to be 45-55mm / min, the cooling water flow rate in the crystallizer to be 140-150m3 / h, and the cooling water flow rate in the crystallizer to be 140-150m3 / h. The cooling water temperature is ≤30°C to obtain an aluminum alloy ingot for standby use; step S2, placing the aluminum alloy ingot obtained in step S1 in a temperature environment of 540-560°C for uniform heat treatment for 8-14 hours, and then naturally cooling it to room temperature; step S3, performing hot rough rolling on the aluminum alloy ingot after the heat treatment in step S2 to obtain a hot rough rolled plate for standby use; step S4, performing hot finish rolling on the hot rough rolled plate obtained in step S3, the hot finish rolling includes at least three passes of hot rolling, and the reduction amount of each pass of hot rolling decreases gradually, and after cooling, a finished aluminum alloy plate is obtained. Summary of the invention

[0008] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a high-plasticity aluminum alloy prepared by using recycled aluminum and a preparation method thereof.

[0009] The present invention is achieved by a method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, comprising the following steps:

[0010] Step 1: Pretreatment of recycled aluminum: Select high-quality recycled aluminum scrap and remove obvious impurities; chemically or mechanically clean the recycled aluminum to remove surface oxides and contaminants, and sort it to ensure the purity of the raw materials;

[0011] Step 2, smelting and purification: adding the pre-treated recycled aluminum waste into the furnace and smelting at a temperature of 750-800°C; adding fluoride, chloride or rare earth element compound as a purifier to purify the melt and remove gas and non-metallic inclusions in the melt; stirring and standing with inert gas to make impurities float or precipitate, and further purify the melt;

[0012] Step 3: alloy composition adjustment: add an appropriate amount of one or more alloying elements selected from copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, silicon, titanium and zirconium to the melt to adjust the composition of the aluminum alloy; the total content of the alloying elements is within a preset range; under the protection of an inert gas, stir the melt evenly to ensure uniform distribution of the alloying elements;

[0013] Step 4: Casting: Using a semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process, the melt is cast into an ingot; the cooling rate is controlled to avoid segregation and cracks inside the ingot;

[0014] Step 5: Heat treatment and processing: Perform homogenization heat treatment on the ingot to eliminate component segregation inside the ingot; perform extrusion and rolling to obtain high-plasticity aluminum alloy material.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy by optimizing process parameters, comprising the following steps:

[0016] Step 1: Pretreatment of recycled aluminum: Select high-quality recycled aluminum waste, and perform chemical or mechanical cleaning and sorting to ensure the purity of the raw materials;

[0017] Step 2, smelting and purification: smelting the pretreated recycled aluminum waste within a temperature range of 750-800°C; purifying the melt by adding fluoride, chloride or rare earth element compound as a purifier, and stirring and standing with inert gas to remove gas and non-metallic inclusions;

[0018] Step 3: alloy composition adjustment: according to the composition requirements of the target aluminum alloy, add an appropriate amount of one or more alloying elements of copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, silicon, titanium and zirconium to the melt, and stir the melt evenly under the protection of inert gas to ensure uniform distribution of the alloying elements;

[0019] Step 4: Casting: Cast the melt into an ingot through a semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process, while precisely controlling the cooling rate to avoid segregation and cracks inside the ingot;

[0020] Step 5: Heat treatment and processing: The ingot is subjected to homogenization heat treatment to eliminate component segregation inside the ingot; then extrusion, rolling and other processing steps are performed to obtain an aluminum alloy material with excellent high plasticity.

[0021] Further, the recycled aluminum pretreatment specifically includes:

[0022] Raw material selection:

[0023] Select relatively pure aluminum scrap from the scrap aluminum recycling yard; manually or mechanically remove visible non-aluminum impurities in the scrap, such as plastics, nails, etc.;

[0024] Cleaning and sorting:

[0025] Chemical cleaning: Soak the scrap aluminum in a dilute acid or alkaline solution to remove surface oxides and contaminants, then rinse with clean water;

[0026] Mechanical cleaning: Use mechanical brushing or high-pressure water spraying to remove surface impurities;

[0027] Sorting: Use magnetic separation or density separation methods to separate aluminum and non-aluminum substances to ensure the purity of aluminum waste.

[0028] Furthermore, smelting and purification specifically include:

[0029] Melting: Add recycled aluminum waste into the furnace and heat it to 750-800℃ to completely melt the aluminum waste; continue heating to keep the melt within a stable temperature range to ensure full melting;

[0030] Purification treatment: Add an appropriate amount of chloride salt or fluoride salt to the melt and stir evenly; the purifier reacts with the impurities and the resulting scum is formed on the surface of the melt and is easy to remove.

[0031] Refining: Use argon gas for stirring to make bubbles and tiny impurities in the melt float or settle; remove the floating impurities and scum from the surface of the melt; let it stand for a while to allow the remaining tiny impurities to settle to the bottom, and then discharge the sediment.

[0032] Further, the alloy composition adjustment specifically includes:

[0033] Adding alloy elements: Add alloy elements such as magnesium, silicon, copper, etc. to the melt according to the formula ratio; ensure that the added alloy elements are completely dissolved in the melt;

[0034] Uniform stirring: Use a mechanical stirring device or an electromagnetic stirring device for stirring; cover the melt surface with argon gas to prevent oxidation of alloy elements.

[0035] Further, casting specifically includes:

[0036] Casting process selection: Use semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process to pour the melt into the mold or casting machine; control the casting speed and temperature to ensure the quality of the ingot.

[0037] Cooling control: Use cooling water or air cooling to control the cooling rate; adjust the flow and temperature of the cooling medium according to the size and shape of the ingot.

[0038] Further, heat treatment and processing specifically include:

[0039] Homogenization heat treatment: Place the ingot in a heat treatment furnace, heat it to 550-600℃, and keep it warm for several hours; adjust the holding time according to the material and size of the ingot to ensure the homogenization effect;

[0040] Plastic processing: Use an extruder or rolling mill to extrude or roll the ingot; control the processing temperature and speed to ensure the plasticity and strength of the material.

[0041] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum and a system for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, comprising:

[0042] Raw material handling system:

[0043] Cleaning equipment: used to clean recycled aluminum waste and remove oxides, pollutants and impurities on the surface of recycled aluminum waste;

[0044] Sorting equipment: used to sort recycled aluminum waste;

[0045] Melting and purification system:

[0046] Furnace: used for high-temperature smelting of recycled aluminum waste; the furnace temperature is controlled at 750-800℃ to completely melt the aluminum waste; continuous heating is carried out to keep the melt within a stable temperature range to ensure full melting and uniform heating;

[0047] Purification equipment: used to add purifiers and inert gases to purify and refine the melt; the purifier is chloride salt or fluoride salt, and the inert gas is argon or nitrogen;

[0048] Alloy composition adjustment system:

[0049] Alloy element adding device: used to accurately add the required alloy elements and adjust the composition of aluminum alloy;

[0050] Stirring device: Use a mechanical stirring device or an electromagnetic stirring device to stir to ensure that the alloy elements are fully mixed in the melt; during the stirring process, use an inert gas to cover the surface of the melt to prevent oxidation of the alloy elements;

[0051] Casting system:

[0052] Casting machine: used to cast the melt into ingots, ready for subsequent heat treatment and processing;

[0053] Cooling device: used to control the cooling rate of the ingot;

[0054] Heat treatment and processing systems:

[0055] Heat treatment furnace: for homogenization heat treatment;

[0056] Plastic processing equipment: extruder, rolling mill, etc. for subsequent processing.

[0057] Further, the raw material handling system:

[0058] Use cleaning equipment for chemical and mechanical cleaning;

[0059] Chemical cleaning: The recycled aluminum scrap is soaked in a chemical cleaning tank, using a dilute acid or alkaline solution to remove surface oxides and contaminants. It is then rinsed with clean water to remove residual chemicals.

[0060] Mechanical cleaning: The recycled aluminum scrap is further cleaned by mechanical brushing or high-pressure water spraying to remove impurities and particles attached to the surface.

[0061] Sorting equipment: Separate aluminum and non-aluminum substances from recycled aluminum waste;

[0062] Magnetic separation: Magnetic separation equipment is used to separate the ferromagnetic impurities in the aluminum scrap, such as iron nails and steel sheets;

[0063] Density sorting: Aluminum and other impurities with different densities are separated by flotation or gravity sorting to ensure the purity of aluminum waste. Other impurities with different densities are plastics and rubber.

[0064] Further, the casting system:

[0065] The casting machine adopts semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process to pour the melt into a preheated mold or casting machine; the casting speed and temperature are controlled to avoid the melt from cooling too quickly or overheating during the casting process.

[0066] Use cooling water system or air cooling system to control the cooling rate, adjust the flow and temperature of cooling medium according to the size and shape of ingot, and ensure uniform cooling of ingot.

[0067] Further, heat treatment and processing systems:

[0068] The ingot is placed in a heat treatment furnace, heated to 550-600°C, and kept warm for several hours. The holding time is adjusted according to the material and size of the ingot to ensure the homogenization effect;

[0069] Use an extruder to extrude the ingot, control the processing temperature and speed, and ensure the plasticity and strength of the material;

[0070] The extruded ingot is rolled through a rolling mill to further adjust the shape and size of the material to obtain a high-plasticity aluminum alloy product that meets the requirements.

[0071] In combination with the above technical solutions and the technical problems solved, the advantages and positive effects of the technical solutions to be protected by the present invention are as follows:

[0072] First, the present invention solves the problems of purity, performance uniformity and process control in the preparation of aluminum alloy from recycled aluminum by optimizing the pretreatment, smelting purification, composition adjustment, casting and heat treatment processes of recycled aluminum, and has the following significant technical effects:

[0073] 1. Improve the purity of aluminum alloy: Through sophisticated pretreatment and smelting purification processes, impurities in recycled aluminum can be effectively removed to ensure the high purity of aluminum alloy.

[0074] 2. Enhance performance uniformity: Through uniform stirring and homogenization heat treatment process, the uniformity of aluminum alloy composition and structure is ensured, and the performance consistency of the material is improved.

[0075] 3. High plasticity aluminum alloy: Through precise alloy composition adjustment and optimized processing technology, aluminum alloy materials with high plasticity and excellent mechanical properties are obtained, which are suitable for high-demand industrial applications.

[0076] 4. Resource utilization and environmental protection: Using recycled aluminum as raw material not only reduces production costs, but also effectively reduces resource consumption and environmental pollution, which meets the requirements of sustainable development.

[0077] In summary, the present invention provides a method and system for preparing high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, which has significant economic and environmental benefits and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

[0078] Second, the present invention provides a method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, which aims to improve the quality and performance of the recycled aluminum alloy, especially its plasticity, strength and other physical and chemical properties, by optimizing the processing steps and process conditions. The method involves key steps such as pretreatment, smelting and purification of recycled aluminum, alloy composition adjustment, casting, heat treatment and processing, etc., to ensure that the prepared aluminum alloy material has excellent high plasticity.

[0079] First, high-quality recycled aluminum scrap is selected and obvious impurities are removed. Oxides and contaminants on the surface of recycled aluminum are removed by chemical or mechanical cleaning methods, and sorting is performed to ensure the purity of the raw materials. This step is to ensure the purity and quality in the subsequent smelting process, laying the foundation for the preparation of high-performance aluminum alloys.

[0080] Next, the pre-treated recycled aluminum scrap is added to the furnace and smelted at a temperature of 750-800°C. Purifiers are added to purify the melt to remove gases and non-metallic inclusions in the melt. The impurities float or settle through inert gas stirring and standing, further purifying the melt. The purification step ensures the purity and uniformity of the aluminum alloy, which helps to improve the performance of the aluminum alloy.

[0081] Then, the appropriate amount of alloying elements is added to the melt to adjust the composition of the aluminum alloy. Under the protection of inert gas, the melt is evenly stirred to ensure the uniform distribution of alloying elements. Subsequently, the melt is cast into ingots using semi-continuous casting or continuous casting processes. The cooling rate is controlled to avoid segregation and cracks inside the ingot. Alloy composition adjustment and casting process are key steps to achieve high-performance aluminum alloys.

[0082] Finally, the ingot is subjected to homogenization heat treatment to eliminate the component segregation inside the ingot. Through processing techniques such as extrusion and rolling, a high-plasticity aluminum alloy material is obtained. The heat treatment and processing steps further improve the plasticity and uniformity of the aluminum alloy, so that it meets the needs of high-performance applications. On the basis of the prior art, the present invention has achieved significant technological progress in industrial applications, especially in terms of resource recycling and material performance improvement, and has important practical value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of a method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 2 It is a system structure diagram for preparing high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figure 3 The scores of various indicators before and after implementation were compared.

[0086] Figure 4 The comparison of performance scores at different steps before and after implementation is shown in Figure . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0088] The embodiment of the present invention provides a high-plasticity aluminum alloy prepared from recycled aluminum; when the high-plasticity aluminum alloy is prepared from recycled aluminum, different alloy compositions can meet different application requirements. The following are three specific examples of component ratios, each of which is optimized to ensure high plasticity and good mechanical properties of the alloy.

[0089] Component ratio 1: high strength aluminum alloy

[0090] Application areas: automotive structural parts

[0091] Recycled aluminum (Al): Balance

[0092] Magnesium (Mg): 4.0-4.5%

[0093] Silicon (Si): 0.60.8%

[0094] Zinc (Zn): 0.20.4%

[0095] Copper (Cu): 0.20.3%

[0096] Manganese (Mn): 0.30.5%

[0097] Iron (Fe): ≤0.2%

[0098] Titanium (Ti): ≤0.1%

[0099] Features:

[0100] High Strength: Increased magnesium and silicon content provides good strength and hardness.

[0101] Good machinability: suitable for extrusion, rolling and other processing techniques.

[0102] Component ratio 2: high plasticity aluminum alloy

[0103] Application areas: building curtain wall system

[0104] Recycled aluminum (Al): Balance

[0105] Magnesium (Mg): 2.5-3.0%

[0106] Silicon (Si): 0.40.6%

[0107] Copper (Cu): 0.20.4%

[0108] Manganese (Mn): 0.10.3%

[0109] Iron (Fe): ≤0.3%

[0110] Chromium (Cr): ≤0.2%

[0111] Features:

[0112] High plasticity: Lower magnesium and silicon content increases the plasticity of aluminum alloy, making it suitable for complex shape processing of building curtain walls.

[0113] Corrosion resistance: Good corrosion resistance, suitable for outdoor use.

[0114] Component ratio 3: Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy

[0115] Application field: Marine engineering

[0116] Recycled aluminum (Al): Balance

[0117] Magnesium (Mg): 3.54.0%

[0118] Silicon (Si): 0.7-1.0%

[0119] Copper (Cu): 0.10.3%

[0120] Manganese (Mn): 0.20.4%

[0121] Zinc (Zn): 0.5-1.0%

[0122] Chromium (Cr): 0.10.2%

[0123] Iron (Fe): ≤0.2%

[0124] Features:

[0125] High corrosion resistance: The increased magnesium, zinc and chromium content significantly improves the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys, making them suitable for marine environments.

[0126] High plasticity and strength: It maintains good plasticity and strength, and is suitable for the processing of complex structures in marine engineering.

[0127] The above three specific examples of component ratios demonstrate the diversity and flexibility of using recycled aluminum to prepare high-plasticity aluminum alloys. By adjusting the ratio of alloying elements, high-performance aluminum alloy materials suitable for different application requirements can be prepared. These alloys not only have excellent mechanical properties and machinability, but also have significant environmental and economic benefits.

[0128] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, comprising:

[0129] Step 1: Pretreatment of recycled aluminum:

[0130] Raw material selection: Select high-quality recycled aluminum scrap and remove obvious impurities.

[0131] Cleaning and sorting: Recycled aluminum is cleaned chemically or mechanically to remove surface oxides and contaminants, and sorted to ensure the purity of the raw materials.

[0132] Step 2: Smelting and purification:

[0133] Melting: The pre-treated recycled aluminum waste is added into the furnace and melted at a temperature of 750-800°C.

[0134] Purification treatment: Add purifiers (such as chloride salts or fluoride salts) to purify the melt and remove gas and non-metallic inclusions in the melt.

[0135] Refining: The melt is further purified by stirring and standing with an inert gas (such as argon) to allow impurities to float or precipitate.

[0136] Step 3: alloy composition adjustment:

[0137] Adding alloy elements: As needed, add appropriate amounts of alloy elements (such as magnesium, silicon, copper, etc.) to the melt to adjust the composition of the aluminum alloy.

[0138] Uniform stirring: Under the protection of inert gas, the melt is uniformly stirred to ensure uniform distribution of alloy elements.

[0139] Step 4: Casting:

[0140] Casting process selection: Use semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process to cast the melt into ingots.

[0141] Cooling control: Control the cooling rate to avoid segregation and cracks inside the ingot.

[0142] Step 5: Heat treatment and processing:

[0143] Homogenization heat treatment: The ingot is subjected to homogenization heat treatment (such as keeping it at 550-600℃ for several hours) to eliminate the component segregation inside the ingot.

[0144] Plastic processing: Perform plastic processing such as extrusion and rolling to obtain high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials.

[0145] Implementation case: Preparation of high-plasticity aluminum alloy from recycled aluminum

[0146] Step 1: Recycled aluminum pretreatment

[0147] In this case, an aluminum alloy manufacturer recycled aluminum alloy scrap from the automotive industry as raw material for recycled aluminum. First, the factory pre-processed the scrap and selected high-quality recycled aluminum with no obvious corrosion or oxidation. A mechanical sorting system was used to remove foreign matter such as plastics and iron filings, and then the aluminum scrap was soaked in trichloroethylene solvent for chemical cleaning to remove oil, oxides and other contaminants on the surface. Then, magnetic separation equipment was used to further remove iron-containing impurities to ensure the purity of the recycled aluminum.

[0148] Step 2: Smelting and Purification

[0149] After pretreatment, the recycled aluminum scrap is added to a high-temperature furnace at 750-800℃ for smelting. In order to improve the quality of the melt, the operator adds a certain amount of chloride salt and fluoride salt as purifiers to the melt. These purifiers can effectively remove non-metallic inclusions such as hydrogen and aluminum oxide in the melt. After purification, the impurities in the melt float or precipitate through the stirring of inert gases such as argon. The operator removes these impurities during the static process, further improving the purity of the melt.

[0150] Step 3: Alloy composition adjustment

[0151] After smelting and purification, the aluminum purity in the melt has reached the process requirements. At this time, the operator adds appropriate amounts of alloying elements such as magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si) and copper (Cu) to the melt according to product performance requirements to enhance the mechanical strength and plasticity of the aluminum alloy. Under the protection of inert gas, the entire stirring process ensures the uniform distribution of these alloying elements in the melt, avoiding the phenomenon of inconsistent material properties caused by uneven composition.

[0152] Step 4: Casting

[0153] To ensure the quality of aluminum alloy, the factory chose a semi-continuous casting process. By precisely controlling the flow rate of the melt and the temperature of the mold, the operator casts the melt into an ingot with a diameter of 200 mm. During the casting process, the cooling rate is controlled by cooling water to ensure that the internal structure of the ingot is uniform and avoid segregation and cracks. The entire casting process is strictly monitored to ensure the stable quality of each batch of ingots.

[0154] Step 5: Heat treatment and processing

[0155] After the ingot is cast, it is immediately subjected to homogenization heat treatment. By holding the ingot at 550-600°C for several hours, the operator ensures that the composition inside the ingot is uniform and eliminates component segregation. The heat-treated ingot not only has uniform composition, but also has excellent mechanical properties and plasticity. Subsequently, the ingot undergoes plastic processing such as extrusion and rolling to produce aluminum alloy sheets with high plasticity, which are particularly suitable for high strength and lightweight requirements in the aerospace and automotive industries.

[0156] The high-plasticity aluminum alloy material prepared by this method was eventually supplied to an automobile manufacturing company for the manufacture of lightweight automobile body components due to its excellent mechanical properties and ductility. This aluminum alloy made of recycled aluminum not only greatly reduces production costs, but also meets environmental protection requirements, improves resource utilization, and provides automotive products with more excellent strength and plasticity.

[0157] The present invention provides a specific implementation method for preparing high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, and the detailed steps are as follows:

[0158] 1. Pretreatment of recycled aluminum

[0159] 1.1 Raw material selection

[0160] Select high-quality recycled aluminum scrap and remove obvious impurities.

[0161] step:

[0162] Select aluminum scrap with relatively pure composition from the scrap aluminum recycling yard.

[0163] Manually or mechanically remove visible non-aluminum impurities in the waste, such as plastics, nails, etc.

[0164] 1.2 Cleaning and sorting

[0165] Recycled aluminum is cleaned chemically or mechanically to remove surface oxides and contaminants, and then sorted to ensure the purity of the raw material.

[0166] step:

[0167] Chemical cleaning: Soak the scrap aluminum in a dilute acid or alkaline solution to remove surface oxides and contaminants, then rinse with clean water.

[0168] Mechanical cleaning: Use mechanical brushing or high-pressure water spraying to remove surface impurities.

[0169] Sorting: Use magnetic separation or density separation methods to separate aluminum and non-aluminum substances to ensure the purity of aluminum waste.

[0170] 2. Melting and purification

[0171] 2.1 Melting

[0172] The pre-treated recycled aluminium scrap is melted down in preparation for the subsequent purification steps.

[0173] step:

[0174] Add the recycled aluminum waste into the furnace and raise the temperature to 750-800℃ to completely melt the aluminum waste.

[0175] Continue heating to keep the melt within a stable temperature range to ensure full melting.

[0176] 2.2 Purification

[0177] Gas and non-metallic inclusions are removed from the melt by adding purifiers.

[0178] step:

[0179] Add an appropriate amount of purifier (such as chloride salt or fluoride salt) to the melt and stir evenly.

[0180] The purifier reacts with the impurities and the resulting scum forms on the surface of the melt and is easy to remove.

[0181] 2.3 Refining

[0182] Further remove tiny impurities and gases in the melt to improve the purity of the aluminum melt.

[0183] step:

[0184] Use inert gas (such as argon) for stirring to make bubbles and tiny impurities in the melt float or settle. Remove the floating impurities and scum from the surface of the melt.

[0185] Let it stand for a while to allow the remaining tiny impurities to settle to the bottom, and then discharge the sediment.

[0186] 3. Alloy composition adjustment

[0187] 3.1 Adding alloy elements

[0188] Add appropriate amount of alloy elements as needed to adjust the composition of aluminum alloy.

[0189] step:

[0190] Alloy elements such as magnesium, silicon, and copper are added to the melt according to the formula ratio.

[0191] Ensure that the added alloying elements are completely dissolved in the melt.

[0192] 3.2 Even mixing

[0193] Under the protection of inert gas, the melt is stirred evenly to ensure the uniform distribution of alloy elements.

[0194] step:

[0195] Use a mechanical stirring device or an electromagnetic stirring device for stirring.

[0196] The surface of the melt is covered with an inert gas (such as argon) to prevent oxidation of alloying elements.

[0197] 4. Casting

[0198] 4.1 Casting process selection

[0199] The melt is cast into ingots, ready for subsequent heat treatment and processing.

[0200] step:

[0201] Using a semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process, the melt is poured into a mold or casting machine.

[0202] Control casting speed and temperature to ensure the quality of ingot.

[0203] 4.2 Cooling control

[0204] Control the cooling rate of the ingot to avoid internal segregation and cracks.

[0205] step:

[0206] Use cooling water or air cooling to control the cooling rate.

[0207] The flow rate and temperature of the cooling medium are adjusted according to the size and shape of the ingot.

[0208] 5. Heat treatment and processing

[0209] 5.1 Homogenization heat treatment

[0210] Through homogenization heat treatment, the component segregation inside the ingot is eliminated and the uniformity of the material is improved.

[0211] step:

[0212] Place the ingot in a heat treatment furnace, heat it to 550-600°C, and keep it warm for several hours.

[0213] Adjust the holding time according to the material and size of the ingot to ensure the homogenization effect.

[0214] 5.2 Plastic processing

[0215] Through plastic processing such as extrusion and rolling, high plasticity aluminum alloy materials are obtained.

[0216] step:

[0217] The ingot is extruded or rolled using an extruder or a rolling mill.

[0218] Control processing temperature and speed to ensure the plasticity and strength of the material.

[0219] Through the above detailed implementation method, the method of preparing high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum of the present invention effectively solves the technical problems of recycled aluminum purity, performance uniformity and process control, and realizes the preparation of high-purity and high-plasticity aluminum alloy. The method is not only economical and environmentally friendly, but also has significant industrial application prospects.

[0220] like Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a system for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, comprising:

[0221] 1. Raw material processing system:

[0222] Cleaning equipment: used to clean recycled aluminum waste.

[0223] Sorting equipment: used to sort recycled aluminum waste.

[0224] 2. Melting and purification system:

[0225] Furnace: High temperature smelting of recycled aluminum waste.

[0226] Purification equipment: Add purifiers and inert gases to purify and refine the melt.

[0227] 3. Alloy composition adjustment system:

[0228] Alloy element adding device: accurately add the required alloy elements.

[0229] Stirring device: Stir the melt evenly to ensure uniform composition.

[0230] 4. Casting system:

[0231] Casting machine: uses semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process to cast ingots.

[0232] Cooling device: controls the cooling rate of the ingot.

[0233] 5. Heat treatment and processing system:

[0234] Heat treatment furnace: for homogenization heat treatment.

[0235] Plastic processing equipment: extruder, rolling mill, etc. for subsequent processing.

[0236] The following is the detailed working principle of the preparation system provided by the embodiment of the present invention.

[0237] The preparation system of the present invention is composed of a plurality of subsystems, each of which has its specific function and working principle to achieve the preparation of high-purity and high-plasticity aluminum alloy.

[0238] 1. Raw material processing system

[0239] 1.1 Cleaning equipment

[0240] Remove oxides, contaminants and impurities from the surface of recycled aluminum scrap.

[0241] process:

[0242] Chemical cleaning: The recycled aluminum scrap is soaked in a chemical cleaning tank, using a dilute acid or alkaline solution to remove surface oxides and contaminants. It is then rinsed with clean water to remove residual chemicals.

[0243] Mechanical cleaning: The recycled aluminum scrap is further cleaned by mechanical brushing or high-pressure water spraying to remove impurities and particles attached to the surface.

[0244] 1.2 Sorting equipment

[0245] Separate aluminum and non-aluminum substances in recycled aluminum waste to improve the purity of raw materials.

[0246] process:

[0247] Magnetic separation: Use magnetic separation equipment to separate ferromagnetic impurities (such as iron nails, steel sheets, etc.) from aluminum scrap.

[0248] Density sorting: Aluminum is separated from other impurities with different densities (such as plastic, rubber, etc.) by flotation or gravity sorting to ensure the purity of aluminum waste.

[0249] 2. Melting and purification system

[0250] 2.1 Furnace

[0251] The pretreated recycled aluminum waste is melted to prepare aluminum melt.

[0252] process:

[0253] The recycled aluminum waste is added into the furnace, and the furnace temperature is controlled at 750-800℃ to completely melt the aluminum waste.

[0254] Continuous heating keeps the melt within a stable temperature range to ensure full melting and uniform heating.

[0255] 2.2 Purification equipment

[0256] Through the treatment of purifiers and inert gases, the gas and non-metallic inclusions in the melt are removed, and the purity of the aluminum melt is further improved.

[0257] process:

[0258] Adding purifier: Add an appropriate amount of purifier (such as chloride salt or fluoride salt) to the melt and stir evenly. The purifier reacts with impurities and the generated scum floats to the surface of the melt and is easy to remove.

[0259] Inert gas refining: By injecting inert gases such as argon or nitrogen for stirring, bubbles and tiny impurities in the melt are floated or precipitated, and then the scum and sediment are discharged to further purify the melt.

[0260] 3. Alloy composition adjustment system

[0261] 3.1 Alloy element adding device

[0262] Accurately add the required alloying elements to adjust the composition of the aluminum alloy.

[0263] process:

[0264] According to the formula ratio, alloy elements such as magnesium, silicon, and copper are accurately weighed and gradually added to the melt to ensure that the amount of each element added meets the requirements.

[0265] 3.2 Stirring device

[0266] The melt is stirred evenly to ensure uniform distribution of alloying elements.

[0267] process:

[0268] Use a mechanical stirring device or an electromagnetic stirring device to stir to ensure that the alloy elements are fully mixed in the melt.

[0269] During the stirring process, an inert gas is used to cover the surface of the melt to prevent oxidation of the alloying elements.

[0270] 4. Casting system

[0271] 4.1 Casting machine

[0272] The melt is cast into ingots, ready for subsequent heat treatment and processing.

[0273] process:

[0274] Using a semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process, the melt is poured into a preheated mold or casting machine.

[0275] Control the casting speed and temperature to avoid rapid cooling or overheating of the melt during the casting process.

[0276] 4.2 Cooling device

[0277] Control the cooling rate of the ingot to avoid internal segregation and cracks.

[0278] process:

[0279] Use cooling water system or air cooling system to control the cooling rate, adjust the flow and temperature of cooling medium according to the size and shape of ingot, and ensure uniform cooling of ingot.

[0280] 5. Heat treatment and processing system

[0281] 5.1 Heat treatment furnace

[0282] Through homogenization heat treatment, the component segregation inside the ingot is eliminated and the uniformity of the material is improved.

[0283] process:

[0284] Place the ingot in a heat treatment furnace, heat it to 550-600℃, and keep it warm for several hours. Adjust the holding time according to the material and size of the ingot to ensure the homogenization effect.

[0285] 5.2 Plastic processing equipment

[0286] Through plastic processing such as extrusion and rolling, high plasticity aluminum alloy materials are obtained.

[0287] process:

[0288] The ingot is extruded using an extruder, and the processing temperature and speed are controlled to ensure the plasticity and strength of the material.

[0289] The extruded ingot is rolled through a rolling mill to further adjust the shape and size of the material to obtain a high-plasticity aluminum alloy product that meets the requirements.

[0290] Through the coordinated work of the above subsystems, recycled aluminum waste undergoes pretreatment, smelting purification, alloy composition adjustment, casting, heat treatment and processing, and finally produces high-purity, high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials. The specific implementation and optimization measures of each subsystem ensure the efficiency of the preparation process and the consistency of product performance, providing reliable technical support for industrial production.

[0291] Example 1: Application of high plasticity aluminum alloy in automobile manufacturing

[0292] In the automotive industry, aluminum alloys are widely used in the manufacture of vehicle body structures and components due to their lightweight and excellent mechanical properties. By using high-plastic aluminum alloys, the weight of the vehicle body can be significantly reduced, and fuel efficiency and vehicle performance can be improved.

[0293] Implementation steps

[0294] 1. Material selection and preparation

[0295] Selection of raw materials: Recycled aluminum waste is used as raw material, and aluminum alloy materials with high plasticity and excellent mechanical properties are prepared through pretreatment, smelting purification, alloy composition adjustment, casting and heat treatment.

[0296] 2. Parts manufacturing

[0297] Extrusion and rolling: Through extrusion and rolling processes, the prepared high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials are processed into automotive structural parts and components.

[0298] Stamping: Utilizing the excellent plasticity of high-plasticity aluminum alloy, automobile body panels and parts of complex shapes are manufactured through stamping process.

[0299] 3. Assembly and testing

[0300] Welding and assembly: Welding and assembling aluminum alloy parts into body frames and other structural parts.

[0301] Performance testing: The manufactured aluminum alloy parts are tested for mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, fatigue life, etc. to ensure that they meet the standards and requirements of automobile manufacturing.

[0302] Implementation Effect

[0303] Weight reduction and efficiency improvement: After using high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials, the overall weight of the car is reduced, fuel efficiency is improved, and vehicle performance is enhanced.

[0304] Environmental protection and energy saving: The use of recycled aluminum reduces dependence on original aluminum resources, reduces production costs and energy consumption, and meets environmental protection requirements.

[0305] Example 2: Application of high plasticity aluminum alloy in building curtain wall

[0306] In modern buildings, curtain wall systems not only serve as exterior wall decoration, but also have structural support and energy-saving and thermal insulation functions. High-plasticity aluminum alloy has become an important material for building curtain walls due to its advantages such as light weight, corrosion resistance and easy processing.

[0307] Implementation steps

[0308] 1. Material Preparation

[0309] Selection of raw materials: Recycled aluminum waste is used to prepare high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials through pretreatment, smelting purification, alloy composition adjustment, casting and heat treatment.

[0310] 2. Curtain wall component manufacturing

[0311] Profile extrusion: Use the extrusion process to process high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials into curtain wall profiles.

[0312] Plate processing: Through the rolling process, high-plasticity aluminum alloy materials are processed into curtain wall plates.

[0313] 3. Curtain wall system installation

[0314] Structural design: Design the structure and connection method of the curtain wall system according to the architectural design requirements.

[0315] On-site installation: The extruded profiles and panels are transported to the construction site for on-site assembly and installation to ensure the stability and aesthetics of the curtain wall system.

[0316] 4. Inspection and maintenance

[0317] Performance testing: The installed curtain wall system is tested for wind pressure, water tightness, air tightness and thermal insulation performance to ensure that it complies with building regulations.

[0318] Daily maintenance: Clean and inspect the curtain wall system regularly to ensure its safety and aesthetics in long-term use.

[0319] Implementation Effect

[0320] Beautiful and durable: High plasticity aluminum alloy material gives the curtain wall system a beautiful appearance and lasting durability.

[0321] Lightweight and high strength: Aluminum alloy materials reduce the weight of the curtain wall system and improve the overall safety of the building.

[0322] Environmental protection and energy saving: The use of recycled aluminum materials reduces environmental load and energy consumption, meeting the requirements of green buildings.

[0323] Through the above two specific application embodiments, it can be seen that the application of high-plasticity aluminum alloy in automobile manufacturing and building curtain walls not only improves the performance and quality of the products, but also has significant environmental and economic benefits, reflecting the broad application prospects and technical advantages of the present invention.

[0324] The two complete figures show the implementation effect of the method of preparing high plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum:

[0325] 1. Columnar Figure 3 :

[0326] Horizontal axis (indicators): improvement of raw material purity, impurity removal efficiency, alloy uniformity, and material plasticity.

[0327] Vertical axis (score): scores of different indicators.

[0328] Figure 3 The scores of various indicators before and after implementation were compared.

[0329] 2. Curve Figure 4 :

[0330] Horizontal axis (steps): pretreatment, smelting and purification, alloy adjustment, casting, heat treatment and processing.

[0331] Vertical axis (performance score): performance score of each step.

[0332] Figure 4 The comparison of performance scores at different steps before and after implementation is shown in Figure .

[0333] The two charts show that the optimized method significantly improves various properties in the aluminum alloy preparation process. The above is only a specific implementation of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made by any technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention and within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: Pretreatment of recycled aluminum: Select high-quality recycled aluminum scrap and remove obvious impurities; Chemical or mechanical cleaning of recycled aluminum to remove surface oxides and contaminants, and sorting to ensure the purity of the raw materials; Step 2, smelting and purification: adding the pretreated recycled aluminum waste into a furnace and smelting at a temperature of 750-800°C; adding fluoride, chloride or rare earth element compound as a purifier to purify the melt and remove gas and non-metallic inclusions in the melt; stirring and standing with inert gas to make impurities float or precipitate, and further purify the melt; Step 3: alloy composition adjustment: add an appropriate amount of one or more alloying elements selected from copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, silicon, titanium and zirconium to the melt to adjust the composition of the aluminum alloy; the total content of the alloying elements is within a preset range; under the protection of an inert gas, stir the melt evenly to ensure uniform distribution of the alloying elements; Step 4: Casting: Using a semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process, the melt is cast into an ingot; the cooling rate is controlled to avoid segregation and cracks inside the ingot; Step 5: Heat treatment and processing: homogenizing the ingot to eliminate component segregation inside the ingot; Extrusion and rolling are carried out to obtain high plasticity aluminum alloy materials.

2. The method for preparing a high plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Recycled aluminum pretreatment specifically includes: Raw material selection: Select relatively pure aluminum scrap from the scrap aluminum recycling yard; manually or mechanically remove visible non-aluminum impurities in the scrap, including plastics and nails; Cleaning and sorting: Chemical cleaning: Soak the scrap aluminum in a dilute acid or alkaline solution to remove surface oxides and contaminants, then rinse with clean water; Mechanical cleaning: Use mechanical brushing or high-pressure water spraying to remove surface impurities; Sorting: Use magnetic separation or density separation methods to separate aluminum and non-aluminum substances to ensure the purity of aluminum waste.

3. The method for preparing a high plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Smelting and purification specifically include: Melting: Add recycled aluminum waste into the furnace and heat it to 750-800℃ to completely melt the aluminum waste; continue heating to keep the melt within a stable temperature range to ensure full melting; Purification treatment: add an appropriate amount of chloride salt or fluoride salt to the melt and stir evenly; the purifier reacts with the impurities and the resulting scum forms on the surface of the melt and is easy to remove; Refining: Use argon gas for stirring to make bubbles and tiny impurities in the melt float or settle; remove the floating impurities and scum from the surface of the melt; let it stand for a while to allow the remaining tiny impurities to settle to the bottom, and then discharge the sediment.

4. The method for preparing a high plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Alloy composition adjustment specifically includes: Adding alloy elements: Adding alloy elements such as magnesium, silicon and copper to the melt according to the formula ratio; ensuring that the added alloy elements are completely dissolved in the melt; Uniform stirring: Use a mechanical stirring device or an electromagnetic stirring device for stirring; cover the melt surface with argon gas to prevent oxidation of alloy elements.

5. The method for preparing a high plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Casting specifically includes: Casting process selection: Use semi-continuous casting or continuous casting process to pour the melt into the mold or casting machine; control the casting speed and temperature to ensure the quality of the ingot; Cooling control: Use cooling water or air cooling to control the cooling rate; adjust the flow and temperature of the cooling medium according to the size and shape of the ingot.

6. The method for preparing a high plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Heat treatment and processing specifically include: Homogenization heat treatment: Place the ingot in a heat treatment furnace, heat it to 550-600℃, and keep it warm for several hours; adjust the holding time according to the material and size of the ingot to ensure the homogenization effect; Plastic processing: Use an extruder or rolling mill to extrude or roll the ingot; control the processing temperature and speed to ensure the plasticity and strength of the material.

7. A system for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: include: Raw material handling system: Cleaning equipment: used to clean recycled aluminum waste and remove oxides, pollutants and impurities on the surface of recycled aluminum waste; Sorting equipment: used to sort recycled aluminum waste; Melting and purification system: Furnace: used for high-temperature smelting of recycled aluminum waste; the furnace temperature is controlled at 750-800℃ to completely melt the aluminum waste; continuous heating is carried out to keep the melt within a stable temperature range to ensure full melting and uniform heating; Purification equipment: used to add purifiers and inert gases to purify and refine the melt; the purifier is chloride salt or fluoride salt, and the inert gas is argon or nitrogen; Alloy composition adjustment system: Alloy element adding device: used to accurately add the required alloy elements and adjust the composition of aluminum alloy; Stirring device: Use a mechanical stirring device or an electromagnetic stirring device to stir to ensure that the alloy elements are fully mixed in the melt; During the stirring process, an inert gas is used to cover the surface of the melt to prevent oxidation of alloying elements; Casting system: Casting machine: used to cast the melt into ingots, ready for subsequent heat treatment and processing; Cooling device: used to control the cooling rate of the ingot; Heat treatment and processing systems: Heat treatment furnace: for homogenization heat treatment; Plastic processing equipment: use extruders and rolling mills for subsequent processing.

8. The system for preparing high-plasticity aluminum alloy using recycled aluminum as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: Raw material handling system: Use cleaning equipment for chemical and mechanical cleaning; Chemical cleaning: The recycled aluminum scrap is immersed in a chemical cleaning tank, using a dilute acid or alkaline solution to remove surface oxides and contaminants; Then rinse with clean water to remove any remaining chemicals; Mechanical cleaning: Recycled aluminum scrap is further cleaned of impurities and particles attached to the surface by mechanical brushing or high-pressure water spraying; Sorting equipment: Separate aluminum and non-aluminum substances from recycled aluminum waste; Magnetic separation: Magnetic separation equipment is used to separate the ferromagnetic impurities in the aluminum scrap, such as iron nails and steel sheets; Density sorting: Aluminum and other impurities with different densities are separated by flotation or gravity sorting to ensure the purity of aluminum waste. Other impurities with different densities are plastics and rubber.

9. A recycled aluminum alloy raw material for preparing a high-plasticity aluminum alloy, characterized in that: The raw materials include: Recycled aluminum scrap that meets or exceeds a predetermined purity standard and has been chemically or mechanically cleaned to remove surface oxides and contaminants; A purifier is added to the melt of recycled aluminum scrap smelting to remove gas and non-metallic inclusions in the melt; Alloying elements, whose types and addition amounts are determined according to the composition requirements of the target aluminum alloy, are used to adjust the properties of the aluminum alloy; Wherein, the purifier includes but is not limited to fluoride, chloride or rare earth element compound, and the alloy element includes but is not limited to one or more of copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, silicon, titanium and zirconium.

10. A high plasticity aluminum alloy, characterized in that: The alloy consists of the following components: Aluminum matrix, which is derived from recycled aluminum scrap that has been pre-treated, smelted, purified, alloyed and cast; Alloying elements are uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix and are used to adjust the plasticity, strength and other physical or chemical properties of the aluminum alloy; Among them, the types and addition amounts of the alloy elements are optimized so that the aluminum alloy has excellent high plasticity after heat treatment and processing. The alloy elements include but are not limited to one or more of copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, silicon, titanium, and zirconium, and the total content of the alloy elements is within a preset range.

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