Hydro Aluminium, a global leading supplier of primary foundry alloys with a yearly production capacity of 300,000 t is presenting the smart master-alloy AlSi7_Mg++ at GIFA.
The master alloy is based on AlSi7, with an increased Mg content. The addition increases the Mg-level in a defined way and leaves all other element concentrations unchanged.
In aluminium foundry alloys the following typical issues regarding Magnesium can be addressed:
- Burn-off due to melting or long holding times
- Need to adjust Mg-levels to reach required mechanical properties after heat-treatment
- Need of several AlSi7Mg variants due to different customer specifications
The normal practice of increasing the Mg-level by adding pure Magnesium or AlMg-master-alloys has disadvantages such as poor yield, increased oxide formation, diluting effects, and additional handling.
AlSi7_Mg++overcomes most of these inconveniences. Delivered as continuous cast ingots with a Mg-content of 2% and finely distributed Mg-phases it dissolves quickly, avoiding unnecessary oxide formation without showing significant diluting effect. Operations are facilitated since the master-alloy in shape of classical ingots can be handled in the same way as the base alloys. In the standard version of the master-alloy, the Mg-concentration is designed in such a way, that the addition of one ingot to 1000 kg of AlSi7Mg will increase the Mg-level by exact 0,01% without changing the overall remaining composition.
Magnesium burn-off can easily be compensated by adding an appropriate number of ingots to the melting furnace or into the transport crucible. AlSi7_Mg++ opens up for fine-tuning of mechanical properties of T6-treated castings and allows to manage different variants of AlSi7Mg with just one base alloy.
As a global leader in aluminium, energy, metal recycling, renewables, and batteries, Hydro leverages its extensive network of Norwegian hydropower plants, recyclers, and Brazilian alumina production facilities. With 32.000 employees in 40 countries, Hydro offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise, continuously driving sustainable innovation.
