Upcycling of aluminum Twitch scrap via Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2025
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Aluminum is publicly perceived as recyclable, but mixed alloys and impurities in aluminum scrap require dilution via energy-intensive primary aluminum or downcycling to low-quality castings. In this study, cast billets of shredded aluminum scrap (Twitch) were blended with pre-consumer AA 6061, extruded into tubes via Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE), and aged to T1 and T6 tempers. Microscopy reveals that ShAPE refined and distributed the deleterious AlFeSi phases. The Twitch extrusions had tensile properties comparable to AA 6061 yet without homogenizing or adding primary aluminum. Energy savings were 85% compared to conventional extrusion of primary aluminum alloys.
Publication Title
Manufacturing Letters
Recommended Citation
Scott Taysom, B.,
Milligan, B.,
Roosendaal, T.,
Schuessler, B.,
Clark, M. R.,
Lemmon, T.,
&
Whalen, S.
(2025).
Upcycling of aluminum Twitch scrap via Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE).
Manufacturing Letters,
45, 75-79.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2025.06.209
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p2/1847