Are Scrap Cars Unlocking 100% Metal Recycling Potential?

Quick Summary

• Researchers have developed a new process to recycle aluminium scrap from cars,which could reduce waste and carbon emissions associated with producing virgin aluminium.
• Traditionally, scrap aluminium in vehicles is used for low-grade alloys like engine blocks in combustion engines. With the shift to electric vehicles,these materials risk becoming unusable.
• The method involves melting all the scrap aluminium alloys from vehicles in one go, including impurities, and reheating it at 500°C for 24 hours to transform its properties.
• The resulting material rivals standard automotive alloys in strength and can be used for components like chassis and frames using existing industrial processes.
• Challenges cited include proving its suitability for stringent tests required for car body parts,controlling alloy consistency given variable sources of vehicle scrap,and scaling up production effectively.

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!Credit: Marc Hill/alamy).