Įvadas į gamybos procesą ir pirminio aliuminio taikymą
Primary aluminum refers to pure aluminum directly refined from electrolytic bauxite (mainly alumina, Al₂O3), rather than recycled aluminum produced by recycling scrap aluminum and remelting. The following is a detailed introduction to primary aluminum:
Production process
The manufacture of primary aluminum mainly relies on the Hall-Héroult Process, and the key steps are as follows:
Bauxite mining: extracting alumina from ore
Bayer process purification: dissolving bauxite in sodium hydroxide to obtain pure alumin
Electrolytic reduction: In the electrolytic cell, alumina and cryolite (flux) are energized at high temperature (about 950°C) and decomposed into liquid aluminum and oxygen
Ingot: The liquid aluminum obtained by electrolysis is cooled and cast into aluminum ingots (such as aluminum billets, aluminum plates, etc.)
Savybės
High purity: The purity of primary aluminum is usually ≥99.6%, with few impurities and stable performance
Excellent performance: ductility, laidumas, and corrosion resistance are better than recycled aluminum, suitable for high-end applications
High energy consumption: The production of 1 ton of primary aluminum consumes about 13,000-15,000 kWh of electricity, and the carbon emissions are large
Application areas
Primary aluminum is mainly used in industries with high material performance requirements
Aerospace: aircraft structural parts, spacecraft components
Electronic power: high-voltage cables, capacitor foil
High-end packaging: food-grade aluminum foil, cans
Automotive industry: lightweight body, high-strength parts
Primary aluminum vs. recycled aluminum
Comparison items Primary aluminum Recycled aluminum
Raw materials Bauxite (alumina) Waste aluminum recycling
Purity ≥99.6% Usually 90-98%
Energy consumption Extremely high (electrolysis process) Only 5% of primary aluminum
Cost Higher Lower
Environmental protection High carbon emissions Significantly reduce resource consumption
Applications High-end manufacturing General industry, building materials, daily necessities
Environmental challenges and trends
Carbon footprint issues: Electrolytic aluminum relies on fossil energy for power supply and is a major emitter in heavy industry
Green transformation: Some companies turn to hydropower or solar power supply (tokie kaip “hydropower aluminum”), or develop inert anode technology to reduce carbon emissions
Circular economy: The proportion of recycled aluminum has increased, but primary aluminum is still irreplaceable in the high-end field
Santrauka
Primary aluminum is an industrial basic material. Although the production cost is high and it is not environmentally friendly, its excellent performance makes it indispensable in key areas. Ateityje, the sustainability of primary aluminum will gradually improve through the optimization of energy structure and the improvement of recycling system.
The classification of primary aluminum and the meaning of T5 state
The classification of primary aluminum is usually based on its alloy composition and heat treatment state (such as T5, T6, etc.). 6063-T5 is a common aluminum alloy model, mainly used in building doors, windows, curtain walls and other structures.
Classification of primary aluminum (taking 6063 aluminum alloy as an example)
Primary aluminum has a high purity and is usually used to make high-quality aluminum profiles. 6063 aluminum alloy is a commonly used model in the construction industry. Its classification mainly involves:
6063-T5: After artificial aging treatment (high-temperature extrusion followed by cooling and then short-term artificial aging), it has medium strength and is suitable for doors, windows, curtain walls, ir tt
6063-T6: After solution heat treatment + artificial aging, the strength is higher than T5, but the processing cost is also higher, and it is mostly used for high-demand structural parts
Meaning of T5 state
T5: It means that after the aluminum profile is extruded at high temperature, it is cooled by air or water, and then artificially aged (about 180-200℃ for several hours)
Savybės: moderate hardness, tensile strength of about 160MPa, yield strength of about 110MPa, suitable for most building profiles12.
Compared with T6: T6 undergoes higher-intensity heat treatment, and the tensile strength can reach more than 200MPa, but the cost is higher and the risk of deformation is also greater4
How to identify primary aluminum 6063-T5?
look at the test report: Regular manufacturers will provide material test reports, marked 6063-T53
Observe the cut surface: the cut surface of primary aluminum is bright and free of impurities, while recycled aluminum may be dull and grainy12
Touch the surface: primary aluminum is smooth and flat, while recycled aluminum may feel rough2
Application scenarios
6063-T5: Ordinary building doors and windows, curtain wall frames (high cost performance)
6063-T6: High load-bearing structure, special industrial use (higher strength)