5 Car Components for Aluminum Recycling
time

JAN 31, 2023

5 Car Components for Aluminum Recycling

There is no denying that aluminum recycling has seen, and will continue to see, a tremendous spike in demand. But, while the global growth of aluminum recycling is driven by the immense increase in hydraulic fracturing applications, another factor driving aluminum recycling is increasing environmental consciousness – carbon footprint reduction being a significant driver. Almost every part of today's cars consists of cast aluminum. Almost every regular part is made from this metal alloy, from the internal combustion engine to the chassis. RCM Recycling understands just how crucial recycling aluminum from vehicles is. Scrap metal recycling is essential to keep our environment clean since aluminum has a shallow melting point.

Aluminum Wheels

Recycling aluminum wheels is a simple process that requires no special equipment or facilities. Most organizations that collect aluminum for recycling will accept them without charge. The only requirement is that you ensure the wheels are free of excessive rust or other damage that might prevent them from being processed into raw material for other products.

Aluminum can be recycled into new products like cans, foil, and other packaging materials, but it also has many other uses beyond its use in manufacturing automobiles and other vehicles. When mixed with other materials, such as steel, aluminum becomes more substantial than steel without increasing weight, making it ideal for building structures such as bridges or skyscrapers.

Cast Aluminum

Cast aluminum is an alloy of aluminum, silicon, and copper used to manufacture auto parts and other products. Cast aluminum can be recycled in several ways.

The first step in recycling cast aluminum is to separate the metal from other materials. This can be done by washing the scrap with water to remove dirt and dust and then drying it. Other methods include using magnets or crushing the metal into small pieces.

Once the metal has been separated from other materials, it must be melted to remove impurities such as silicon, iron, and magnesium. The melted metal is then poured into molds to create new parts. The process may be repeated several times before all impurities have been removed from the metal.

Cast aluminum is a metal alloy composed of 97% to 99.7% pure aluminum, with the remaining balance consisting of trace elements such as copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. It has excellent corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties.

The main advantage of cast aluminum over other alloys is its recycling ability. This can be attributed to its high purity level (~99%), low melting point (660°C), and ease of melting in a vacuum or inert atmosphere (argon).

Cast aluminum is produced by casting processes such as pressure or gravity die casting. In the case of pressure die casting, molten metal is forced into a mold under high pressure (usually 10-20 MPa). Gravity die casting involves injecting molten metal into a mold, where it solidifies while falling under gravity.

Aluminum Wire

Aluminum wire is a valuable commodity in the recycling industry. Aluminum wire is commonly found in computers, cars, and other electronics. It can be melted down and used to make new products.

Aluminum wire is a common recyclable item found in many car parts. Some of these include:

  • Air conditioner condenser coils
  • Battery cables
  • Ignition coils
  • Fuel lines
  • Starters
  • Alternator windings

Sheet Aluminum

This type of aluminum is usually sold by weight or length (in inches). It comes in various thicknesses and sizes up to 12 feet long. The most common uses for sheet aluminum include making air conditioner condensers, window frames, car hoods, roofs, truck beds, and more!

Extruded Aluminum

Extruded Aluminum is one of the most popular materials in the world because it has so many applications and uses. It can be used for manufacturing cars, airplanes, building materials, and more. This makes it an essential product for recycling because it allows for reusing a material that would otherwise be thrown away after use.

The most common recycled extruded aluminum is reclaimed from car parts such as wheels, exhaust systems, doors, and hoods. These items are usually made from high-strength extruded aluminum with various alloys depending on the part; when they are no longer useful on cars or trucks, they can be recycled into other objects, such as furniture or other building materials.

RCM Recycling

Aluminum recycling is one of the most important things you can do if you are an avid scrap aluminum scrounger. Recycling your scrap aluminum can help to save the planet. Go out and ensure you recycle all your aluminum scraps by taking them to your local scrap metal company, RCM Recycling.