Aluminum recycling process｜ASUKA INDUSTRIES, INC.

Aluminum Recycling Process

Aluminum can be recycled repeatedly. Here, we explain how aluminum scrap is processed and reborn as new aluminum materials.

1.Collection and Sorting of Scrap

Aluminum cans and scrap collected at various locations are sorted by metal by the collection companies and then transported to our factory. There are many types of aluminum scrap, and items such as road signs and airplane parts are sometimes brought in.

2.Removal of Foreign Materials and Pre-processing

Scrap that has been sorted is further inspected to remove foreign substances. Large contaminants are removed, and items that cannot be used (such as plastics or materials that do not mix with aluminum) are separated out.
*The back side of the image shows the preprocessing equipment for removing surface contaminants from aluminum scrap

3.Melting

The cleaned aluminum scrap is placed into a furnace and melted. Inside the furnace, the temperature reaches close to 700 degrees, turning the aluminum into a molten state.

4.Analysis and Adjustment of Ingredients

Because aluminum scrap is highly varied and its composition is inconsistent, there will inevitably be discrepancies between theoretical calculations and actual composition. Therefore, during melting, we conduct periodic analyses to verify whether the desired composition is being achieved, and we add and melt new raw materials while adjusting for any discrepancies.

5.Melt Cleanliness Assessment and Melt Treatment

Due to the nature of using scrap as raw material, molten aluminum contains a high level of unwanted impurities, gaseous components, and non-ferrous metal inclusions. Therefore, molten aluminum is treated to assess its purity (to determine whether it is clean) and to remove unwanted gaseous components and inclusions.

6.Final determination

Perform a final inspection to determine whether the composition and purity of the molten metal meet the required standards. If the standards are met, we proceed to the next casting process; if not, we readjust the composition or treat the molten metal again.

7.To Ingot

Molten metal is poured into a mold of the desired size, then cooled and solidified. In addition, the composition of the finished ingot is analyzed and recorded.