What Is Aluminum Extrusion Scrap?
Aluminum extrusion scrap refers to leftover aluminum materials from the extrusion process. Extrusion is a manufacturing method where raw aluminum is heated and pushed through a mold to create specific shapes, such as window frames, door handles, or car parts. While not a grade of aluminum itself, extrusion scrap often contains high-value aluminum alloys like 6063 or 6061, making it a desirable material for recycling.
If you’ve ever scrapped aluminum, you know that sorting and identifying the grades can significantly impact the price you get. Understanding what aluminum extrusion scrap is and how to prepare it properly can help you maximize its value.
How Is Aluminum Extrusion Scrap Recycled?
The recycling process for aluminum extrusion scrap involves several steps to ensure the material is clean and ready for reuse. Here’s an overview of the process:
- Shredded – Like paper or other products like steel that get shredded, some grades of aluminum will go through a shredding process. This will allow the smaller pieces to melt quickly and help control the flow of raw products into the furnaces.
- Melted – Sometimes, these large blocks or bales of aluminum are welcome to go right into the melting pot (depending on the size). One important thing is that the bales or full boxes of material are properly sorted/cleaned, so there is no contamination in the new aluminum produced.
- Ingot Formation – The molten aluminum is poured into molds to form ingots, which can weigh anywhere from 100 pounds to 50,000 pounds. These ingots are then sold to manufacturers to create new products.
What is Aluminum Extrusion? It’s A Process, Not A Grade.
Aluminum Extrusion is a process in which aluminum items are created, not the grade of aluminum they are made with. When the raw aluminum is pushed through a mold to take the shape of the item, it is created. The raw aluminum material used is the grade of the material, not the “extruded” piece itself.
We find the most common mistakes in the language regarding scrapping – the extrusion process. Let’s go back to being a kid (or maybe the current day if you have kids or are a grandparent playing with them) and think about modeling clay. Remember those yellow cylindrical vessels filled with hours of forming fun? You would take all types of tools like putty knives and form presses, make spaghetti and meatballs, or make little stars.
It’s Like Forming Modeling Clay…
You were extruding the clay through a mold and creating forms and shapes. Now, think about the process we discussed earlier, but with molten hot aluminum bauxite or those newly minted bars.
Common Extruding Aluminum Scrap
Those newly formed ingots or bars go to manufacturers that could use the extruding method to create many items, such as:
- Window Frames
- Leftover Aluminum Trays
- Cooking Sheets
- Door Frames
- Toys
- Car Frames
- Automobile parts
- Electronic Components
All of the above go through some form of extruding process that takes the new aluminum bars, heats them, and pushes them through a mold that gets pushed through and cut with a machine for clean angles. These products are all considered aluminum extrusion, but that is not their aluminum grade, so let’s try to get into the aluminum grades.
Grades of Aluminum Found in Extrusion Scrap
Not all aluminum extrusion scrap is created equal. The grade of the aluminum affects its value and usability. Here are some common grades:
- 6063 – The 6063 grade of aluminum is like bare bright copper – the top value Aluminum grade. With the nickname of structural aluminum, we have seen 6063 grades used in frames, pipe fittings, structural tubing, electrical conduits, storage tanks, and trailer frames.
- 6061 has a little more magnesium and copper than other alloys but has proven very strong. Most commonly found in solid sheet uses like furniture, boats, or structural pieces. (Almost always the 2nd most popular grade of aluminum).
- 3000 Series – Most commonly used in food and beverage, the 3000 series of aluminum contains a very workable product that allows it to be shaped into thinner structures such as foil tins and cans. These items can be recycled and put back on the shelves as new products within a month.
Grades vs. Name Comparison
Learn More About The Grades So You Can Be Aware
We know that the phrase aluminum extrusion sounds as good as saying insulated copper wire (ICW) – but the key similarity is that neither of those could you get an actual price from.
Think about it – if you used the phrase ICW at a scrap yard to describe your copper wire, what does that actually mean? If you do not know that it is 80% ICW #1 (This means that it is 80 percent copper bare bright bearing and 20% contamination such as insulation), how will you intelligently sell the material to your yard?
Knowing Grades of Aluminum Can Pay Off
The same concept goes for aluminum grades – if you do not know what grade you have, you will not be able to get better pricing or make more money with your scrap. However, by watching videos on aluminum grades by reading about what grades of aluminum are found in different applications, all of will lead to your making more money with your different types of aluminum extrusions. You can learn valuable lessons by utilizing articles like this or watching our YouTube channel to learn more about grades.
By paying attention, you will learn more, sound more competent, and finally, get rid of the phrase aluminum extrusion and replace it with grades of aluminum. That will lead to more money in your pocket, better material separation, and, ultimately, more cash in your pocket.
