Getting a clean, smooth finish while removing material quickly is not always easy when machining high-strength aluminium alloys. A new study on AA7075-T6 aluminium alloy has explored this challenge, identifying two different sets of drilling conditions to improve surface quality and maximise machining productivity. The research examined how cutting speed, feed rate and drill depth influence conventional drilling performance. Using response surface methodology and a central composite design, the researchers developed predictive models to determine how changes in these parameters affect the machining process. The models showed a strong level of accuracy, with coefficients of determination (R²) reaching 0.9731 for surface roughness and 0.9359 for material removal rate. Further confirmation...
Cleaner aluminium depends on three things going right at once: scrap collection, melting it in a furnace without much carbon, and the electricity behind the whole chain not being coal-powered. Developments across North America, the UK, the European Union (EU), Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia and India depict how unevenly those pieces are falling into place. While some markets are losing recoverable metal at the sorting line, others are redirecting cargoes or writing scrap into industrial policy, and a few are lining up green projects to hold primary aluminium production together. Aluminium scrap trade: North America leads, Thailand bans, EU retains The international aluminium scrap market is facing a combination of changing trade flows and growing pressure to secure cleaner, more consistent...
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The two-decade-old Upper Peninsula-based Superior Extrusion Inc has announced a $10.5 million expansion at K.I. Sawyer — a move that is expected to create about 30 jobs by 2020. According to the chairman of the board of directors of Superior Extrusion Inc, George LaBlonde III, the company needs to expand for future growth. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and employees, I am happy to express our pride in our team’s effort and all those that have overwhelming(ly) supported our efforts to expand our capacity and create additional employment opportunities,” LaBlonde said. The expansion cost would include the purchase of a 2,000-ton, 7-inch aluminium extrusion press and associated equipment and it is expected to expand the size of the existing operation by 75,000 square feet,...
TRIMET Aluminium SE announced results for the 2016/2017 financial year (June 30). The company’s sales stood at approximately €1.24 billion. TRIMET Aluminium SE produced around 625,000 tonnes of primary and recycled aluminium in the 2016/2017 financial year. The company produced about 390,000 tonnes of primary aluminium and 235,000 tonnes of recycled aluminium. “Approximately 210,000 tons of the total production were supplied in the form of liquid metal, and the remaining 415,000 tons as formats or ingots,” according to the company press release. Dr. Martin Iffert, CEO of TRIMET Aluminium SE.“After integrating new production sites in previous years, last year we prepared TRIMET for continued and stable future growth. This included continued investments in all areas of the company, as well...
Wonmin Park, the Korean designer, has recently launched a new collection of limited-edition tables (his signature) in patinated aluminium, another experiment in his furniture line. The collection that is comprised of high and low tables is being presented by Carpenters Workshop Gallery at PAD this week. ‘I like resin because of its colour, transparency and texture, but it is not a strong material,’ says Park. ‘That’s why I needed to work with it in a certain form. Aluminium is a different story. It’s strong and lightweight, allowing me to create light forms and structures with it.’ Aptly called ‘Plain Cuts’; the collection is made by cut aluminium sheets. ‘Structures are exposed to the surface and it becomes part of the work itself,’ explains Park. The intersections of different metal...
Aluminium semi-finished product export by China was hit by reduced output in August 2017 following widespread environmental checks which mainly hit the upstream sector; but ripple effects were felt across the entire aluminium value chain. The export volume totalled 360,000 tonnes in August, down 3.2 per cent from the previous month. The cumulative export volume during January-August increased 5.2 per cent to reach 2.8 million tonnes, revealed data published by the General Administration of Customs on September 26. China’s monthly aluminium bar, rod, and profile export was down by 29 per cent at 360,000 tonnes in August. Aluminium foil export also dropped by 4.9 per cent. In the finished product category, aluminium stranded wire and cable export declined by 34 per cent, while aluminium...
His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates, and business leaders today attended an event held by Emirates Global Aluminium on re-using industrial wastes. The event was held under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s ‘UAE Toward Cleaner Production’ initiative to reduce UAE industry’s impacts on the environment and improve its global competitiveness. At the event, HE Al-Zeyoudi recognised EGA, Eco Cem Industrial Ecology, Eco Industrial Solutions, JK Cement Works, Lafarge Emirates Cement, Pioneer Cement Industries, Union Cement Company, and Star Cement for their pioneering work since 2010 to re-use waste from aluminium smelting in cement manufacturing. Last year EGA supplied over 37,000 tonnes of spent pot...
Toyota Motor Corp. has planned to invest USD 373.8 million for the production of hybrid powertrains in the United States. The investment will be distributed between five manufacturing plants. The company’s Bodine Aluminium plant in Jackson will get a distribution of $14.5 million. Jim Lentz, CEO, Toyota Motor North America said, “This investment is part of our long-term commitment to build more vehicles and components in the markets in which we sell them.” Shawn Daly, Plant Manager at Toyota Bodine Aluminium in Jackson, said: “We are thrilled to win this $14.5 million dollar investment to build Toyota’s latest 2.5 liter engine blocks and Hybrid Transaxle cases and housings at Toyota Bodine in Jackson.” “This announcement reflects our Team Members’ strong capabilities and global...
The 6th International Bauxite-Alumina symposium of IBAAS-CAMEN organized in Conakry, Guinea during September 21-22, 2017 was highly successful and well appreciated by participants, Government officials and media. There were about 130 delegates from all over the world including several participants from Guinea. Representatives of Ministry of Geology & Mines, SOGUIPAMI, CPDM and organizations associated with mining industry and foreign companies participated in 2 days symposium and exhibition. Organizers have been requested to periodically return to this bauxite rich country and disseminate knowledge and information about worldwide developments in bauxite-alumina field. The first day International Bauxite-Alumina Symposium was inaugurated by Minister of Investment, Mr. Kasuri Fofana and...
LME aluminium has come under pressure. With the US Dollar index trading higher by 0.5 per cent on the day (October 3), the light metal contract crossed the US$2,000 per tonne mark and fell into the US$2,065-US$2,085 range. After night trading on October 2, Monday, LME aluminium closed at US$2,067 per tonne, down from US$2,110 per tonne on Friday, September 29. As on October, LME official cash buyer aluminium price (Bid Price) stands at US$2,066 per tonne, cash seller & settlement aluminium price (Offer price) is US$2,067.50 per tonne, 3M Bid Price is US$2,089 per tonne, 3M Offer Price is US$2,090 per tonne, Dec3 Bid Price is US$2,135 per tonne, and Dec3 Offer Price is US$2,140 per tonne. LME aluminium Opening Stock or the LME aluminium inventory level stands at 1259025 tonnes, total Live...
Recently, Chongqing Hengya Industrial Co., ltd. has started manufacturing and transport of aluminium RB. It is reported that the company entered Beidu Aluminium Industrial Park in 2015 and invested to build production project of high-precision Aluminium alloy RB, vehicle-used AC flat tube, and vehicle parts. The total investment of the project is 300 million yuan, with construction divided into 2 stages. Currently, the first stage has been completed and started production, which can achieve annual output of 120 thousand tonnes' various series high-precision Aluminium alloy RB. The country is encouraging downstream industries to boost the menufacturing sector and the stready growth in the automotive sector with the growing trend for lighter vehicles is opening up more avenues for...
Ireland is the 27th largest export economy in the world houses RUSAL’s alumina refinery Aughinish alumina. Located in a rural part of Ireland, RUSAL’s Aughinish refinery is the only producer of alumina in the country and one of the most efficient alumina facilities globally. The refinery has an annual capacity of 1,915,000 tonnes of alumina. Alumina production in Ireland remains stable in last two years keeping up with a steady upward growth. If we look at the export trend quarter on quarter, we can see the upward growth. As the data shows, in Q1 2016, Ireland exported 500,234 tonnes of alumina globally. In comparison to that, the country exported 511,328 tonnes of alumina in Q1 2017, a slight rise YoY. In Q2 2016, Ireland exported 540,229 tonnes of alumina globally, which increased to...
According to an update by Shanghai Metals Market, aluminium followed lead in monthly average price gains among base metals in September. SMM monthly average aluminium price rose RMB 599.07/tonne or 3.84% to RMB 16,194.29/tonne. Currently, China market is closed due to the week-long Chinese National day holiday and there is no latest price update. As for environmental checks are concerned, SMM updates that Hebei is expected to launch another round of environmental crackdown from October 1. The process will take about 25 days to complete. In the same line, Guizhou prepares environmental protection tax, doubling current sewage charge. The tax amount of air pollutant is RMB2.4 per pollutant equivalent and for water pollutant is RMB 2.8 per pollutant equivalent. Chengdu is going to carry out...
Tankoa Yachts, an Italian builder of steel and aluminium luxury mega yachts, announced that the company will construct a new 50-meter hybrid superyacht called Project 'Elettra'. The company made an announcement on 29 September at the Monaco Yacht Show 2017. All-aluminium yacht is expected to be launched in 2019. Exterior and interior design will be done by Francesco Paszkowski and Studio Francesco Rogantin respectively. The vessel will accommodate up to 12 guest split between six cabins. Project Elettra will run at a maximum speed of 18 knots. Aluminium yacht will use power from diesel-electric power plant, which comprises a pair of 1,200hp MTU 8V4000 M54 engines and a 292KW battery bank.
Aluminium price index has been trending higher. The prices of the key aluminium raw material were stable in June and July 2017 around the US$300 per tonne level, but they started gaining momentum up the track last month. Since LME and SHFE aluminium have been strong, alumina too seems to have joined the uptrend. Source: Market Realist Alumina price index was not as volatile in the past. It was primarily decided between the buyers and the sellers. The index shows the dynamics of the physical market unlike aluminium, where sentimental factors can be short-term price drivers, Market Realist analyst Mark O'Hara explains. According to Platts, the alumina price index hit multiyear highs in early September. The rising alumina price index is good news for companies like Alcoa, Norsk Hydro, Nalco...
Norsk Hydro’s acquisition of Orkla’s 50% ownership in Sapa was completed today, October 2, giving Hydro full ownership in the global leader in extruded aluminium solutions and making Hydro a leading force in the global aluminium industry. The combination makes Hydro the only global company in the aluminium industry that is fully integrated across the value chain and markets, and gives Hydro unparalleled strength in technology, R&D, innovation and product development, as well as an unmatched product and service offering to the benefit of more than 30,000 customers throughout the world. It also provides Hydro with the capability and freedom to grow in the most attractive areas of aluminium, as well as further strengthening the sustainable solutions for the future low-carbon economy. “Today...
The Southern Ports Authority in Western Australia announced last week (ending September 29) that it is set to export “some of Alcoa’s 2.5 million tonnes of bauxite” earmarked for sale over the next two years. Bunbury is the second port approved to ship bauxite for Alcoa already shipping the mineral ore via the Kwinana Bulk Terminal. Bunbury MLA Don Punch has welcomed the plan. He said the step was crucial to the port’s growth and development. “The port is a key economic driver for Bunbury and the region. Increased business through our port conducted in a way that is responsible and considerate of any potential community concerns is a huge positive for our community. “The McGowan Labor Government is committed to supporting the continued growth of the port and new trade like this shows our...
Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, announced Friday, September 29, that it completed the transaction for its joint venture with Kobe Steel, Ltd., a producer of aluminum rolled products in Japan. The joint venture, Ulsan Aluminum, Ltd., was formed by Novelis selling Kobe Steel its ownership interest in its Ulsan, South Korea facility for US $315 million. Novelis and Kobe Steel together own the Ulsan Aluminum, Ltd. facility, with each company remaining responsible for its own metal supply and commercial relationships. The Ulsan Aluminum plant is strategically located in the industrial hub of Ulsan, South Korea to support the increasing demand for high-strength and lightweight aluminum for automotive and specialty products including electronics and building...
According to numbers released by the state, the People’s Republic of China will see a 6-percent rise in refined aluminium demand in 2018, rising from this year’s estimated demand of 34.8 million metric tons to 36.9 million metric tons. Beijing Antaike Information Co., Ltd (Antaike) indicated in its report that demand from aluminium alloy wall, aluminium bridge, and solar aluminium extrusion sectors have propelled demand recently, more than making up for a drop-off in demand from the construction, transport, electronics, and power sectors. According to Antaike’s numbers, domestic supply was sufficient to meet demand. Their numbers show a domestic aluminium supply of 18.59 million metric tons per annum through the first half of 2017, a rise of 19.8 percent year on year. Demand over that...
LME aluminium is under moderate pressure as US Dollar index is still on an upward track. The light metal contract closed at US$2,110.50 per tonne on Friday, September 29, up from US$2,102 per tonne on Thursday, September 28. Reuters’ technical analysis suggests that LME aluminium may break a support at US$2,103 per tonne and drop further in the range of US$2,068-$2,081 per tonne in the short term. A bounce from the current level could be limited to US$2,125 per tonne. Source:www.lme.com As on September 29, LME official cash buyer aluminium price (Bid Price) stands at US$2,110 per tonne, cash seller & settlement aluminium price (Offer price) is US$2,110.50 per tonne, 3M Bid Price is US$2,132.50 per tonne, 3M Offer Price is US$2,133 per tonne, Dec3 Bid Price is US$2,243 per tonne, and Dec3...
