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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Three Traditional leaders of the Nyinahini Bauxite reserve is have offered their support for Exton Cubic Ltd in continuing with Bauxite exploration in the Ashanti Region. The chiefs reiterated their long term trust on Exton since 2005 and expressed concern over stopping the company from exploiting bauxite. During a press conference on Tuesday, the three chiefs, Nana Kusi Amankwaa Maafo II, Nkawie Panin hene and Nana Tabiri Gyansa III, Mpasaaso Manhene, and Nyinahini hene, Nana Ampene Twum Boaten expressed their displeasure at District Chief Executive of Atwima Mponua, Williams Darko. They believed that Mr Darko is believed to have provoked the youth of the area against Exton Cubic Group Limited. Exton Cubic was granted a license in December 2016 to explore bauxite in Nyinahini. But, when...
Sohar Aluminium, the host of the upcoming ARABAL 2017 conference, will bring more than 60 international renowned experts from a broad spectrum of the global aluminium industry to Oman. Joining over 500 delegates and exhibitors, these experts will share their insights and expertise over a range of topics related to the conference theme of ‘ Driving Strategic Growth across the Global Aluminium Industry’ . Scheduled to be held in Muscat from the 6 th -9 th of November 2017, at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, the industry event is set to be the ideal platform to share ideas that will drive growth and feed into the region’s ongoing economic diversification strategies. One of the most anticipated sessions, the Industry Keynote Panel, features high level representatives from ARABAL...
According to a report by Shanghai Metals Market, one alumina producer in Chongqing has decided to expand production on optimism over stronger price gains. The alumina producer has two different production facilities for which they source bauxite from domestic producers and import from different countries respectively. Its production line that is dependent on imported bauxite as raw material was unstable, as production condition at the line is dependent on alumina price trends. They cut down production in that line due to low alumina prices. With the latest round of rapid price gains in alumina, the producer has planned to restart the production line which feeds on imported bauxite. The plant’s output is estimated to grow by 10,000 tonnes in September 2017.
LME aluminium seems to be somewhat losing its steam. The light metal which closed at US$2096.50 last Friday, August 25, dropped to US$2,092 per tonne on Tuesday, August 29. As per Shanghai Metals Market forecast, LME aluminium will continue to move widely around the 5-day and 10-day moving averages and range at US$2,075-2,100 per tonne on Wednesday, August 30. Reuters’ technical analysis suggests that LME aluminium may retrace US$2,065 per tonne, the low reached on August 25, as its correction has yet not completed. As on August 29, LME official cash buyer aluminium price (Bid Price) stands at US$2,090 per tonne, cash seller & settlement aluminium price (Offer price) is US$2,092.50 per tonne, 3M Bid Price is US$2,103 per tonne, 3M Offer Price is US$2,104 per tonne, Dec1 Bid Price is...
Schüco, the leading suppliers of high-quality window, door and façade systems made from aluminium, PVC-U and steel, has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Schüco TopAlu- the perfect combination of PVC-U and aluminium. The combination of PVC-U systems and aluminium cover caps can be used for any project requiring a high-quality aluminium look. “Schüco TopAlu combines the excellent thermal insulation and weather tightness of easy-to-maintain PVC-U window and door constructions with the high level of resistance and stylish appearance of aluminium,” according to the company press release. The company’s other PVC-U profile series can be combined on the exterior with the aluminium cover cap. Schüco International KG, based in Bielefeld, Germany, has more than 4,750 employees...
On Tuesday’s night trading, SHFE base metals mostly finished lower, including aluminium and today SHFE base metals are expected to hover at highs. SHFE 1711 aluminium will move within RMB 16,200-16,550/t today, with resistance at the 5-day and 10-day moving averages. SMM reports shortage of calcined coke in China, the raw material for making prebaked anode. Despite meeting all environmental protections standards, one prebaked anode producer in Shanxi is suffering from calcined coke shortages and running at 75% of its capacity. The fall in production of prebaked anode may trigger supply shortfall and which may lift the prices of prebaked anode in the near term. Henan Shenhuo Group, an integrated commodity producer, which, together with its subsidiaries, produces primary aluminium as well...
Potline failure in aluminium smelters has long been a serious technological issue for primary aluminium producers. In last five years, as many as nine big aluminium smelters of the world faced major potline failure challenges which resulted in loss of man-hours and productivity up to varying extents. Time and again companies have engaged in extensive technology upgrades to combat the effects of potline failure, but only a handful of them were able to somewhat lower the frequency of the incidents. AlCircle in its exclusive report “Power Outage and Potline Failure in Aluminium Smelters: Observations and Recent Case Studies (2013-2017)” has tried to join the dots by looking into some of the major potline failure incidents that happened between 2013 and 2017. The report has already caught the...
Zhongwang Aluminium Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of China Zhongwang Holding Ltd., a manufacturer and developer of aluminium extrusion products, has acquired Aluminiumwerk Unna AG (Alunna) in August 2017. Zhongwang will hold 99.72% stake in Aluminiumwerk Unna AG (Alunna). The acquisition will improve Zhongwang’s capability in seamless tube extrusion, reported by Shanghai Metals Market. Aluminiumwerk Unna AG is a leading manufacturer of seamless extruded aluminium tubes as well as tubular profiles. The company located in Unna, Germany, produces high-strength products for the aerospace industry. Alunna generated revenues of about 65 m€ in 2016. In addition to aluminium alloy tubes, the company produce profiles, strip and extrusion billet. The plant has a cast house, extrusion plant, heat...
Hydro announced the grand opening of the new pilot plant located at its existing aluminium plant in Karmøy, Norway. The new plant is the world’s most climate-friendly aluminium production technology, according to the company press release. The 60 new electrolysis cells will produce 75,000 tonnes of primary aluminium a year. First metal from the technology pilot is expected towards the end of this year. Hydro President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg said: “This is a technological breakthrough. No one has managed to produce aluminium with such low energy consumption and high productivity as Hydro will at full-scale production.” “Hydro is very proud that we have managed to develop a technology that reduces energy consumption, on average, by about 15 percent per kilo of aluminium produced,...
Midhani, the India based public sector unit, a supplier of special materials to the strategic sectors, has taken up an INR 1,400-crore modernisation and expansion initiatives. It has already modernised various captive facilities such as the Forge Press, Ring Roll Mill, ESR, etc. during the first phase with INR 400-crore. The Union Minister of Defence and Finance Arun Jaitley inaugurated the modernised units and laid foundation for the second phase. The second phase will take up expansion of various captive facilities like Armouring Unit, Tungsten Power Plant, Solar Power unit, Close Die Forging & Reheating Furnaces. The project is expected to be completed in 3-4 years with an investment of INR 1,000 crore. According to the Chairman and Managing Director of Midhani, Dinesh Kumar Likhi, in...
Anheuser-Busch owned Bud Light has launched NFL team-themed packaging in both cans and aluminium bottles. The 2017 National Football League (NFL) season will begin on September 7, 2017. Bud Light has announced its continuing partnership with all-new team-themed packaging. America’s favorite light lager will be available in cans and aluminium bottles to help football fans to support their favorite team. The company has introduced 28 new designs that include the official logo and catchphrase or rallying cry for each NFL franchise. The NFL cans are available in select markets, and will be available nationwide later this month. Anna Rogers, Director of Marketing, NFL, Bud Light, said, "NFL team packaging has become something fans look for from Bud Light year after year." "We are proud to...
An old car barn in Japan that houses a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona has attracted eyes of antique car lovers and is going to be auctioned in as-is condition. This was a special Ferrari justified by its gorgeous looks, impressive performance and appearance in Miami Vice. The car has been made extra-special because it's a one-of-a-kind aluminium-bodied Daytona built for street use. Ferrari did build a few other aluminium build Daytonas, but those five cars, according to RM Sotheby's, were meant for racing. This was the only street-ready Daytona painted in red with a black leather interior meant for normal street driving. It was first bought by the founder of an Italian automotive magazine, and then it changed hands many times within the country. In 1971, it was imported to Japan and it...
As the Middle East is readying to become a lucrative automotive manufacturing hub, UAE’s aluminium alloy ingot import is rising on per year basis. The country which is basically a net exporter of aluminium alloys has been buying a lot of this value-added light metal product from the international market over the last three years. In March this year, plan for a major new auto hub in Abu Dhabi was unveiled at the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS). The ‘Rahayel City’ developed by ZonesCorp will accommodate automotive manufacturers, parts providers, distributors, and dealers. Keeping in view the rising demand of aluminium alloys from wheels and auto parts manufacturers, UAE’s aluminium alloy import is expected to increase in the foreseeable future. {newsStudioGallery}...
Cash crunch at the month’s end has slowed down trading activities in China’s spot market for aluminium. Downstream producers in south China market have maintained a wait and watch stance against weakening SHFE ALUMINIUM. Mainstream traded prices were 16,090-16,130 yuan/tonne in Guangdong, a premium of 90 yuan/tonne over Shanghai. SHFE 1711 aluminum opened at RMB 16,320/mt on Monday and went up to RMB 16,525/mt in the afternoon. But, prices then fell back on short selling, and ended at RMB 16,450/mt. For SHFE 1711 aluminum, trading volumes rose to 283,892 lots. SHFE 1711 aluminium is expected to fluctuate at highs in the short term. Optimism in the aluminium market has proved beneficial for the stocks of major aluminium producers in China. CITIC Trust spent $700 million in buying 10% of...
Metro Mining Ltd today announced that the Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines Hon Dr Anthony Lynham has signed the three mining leases for the Bauxite Hills Mine. The company has already started the construction at the mine site. Dr Anthony Lynham said the granted leases were critical for the $35.8 million bauxite mine project to proceed into planned production. He said, “Granting these leases allows Metro Mining to consolidate and unlock the potential of the significant bauxite reserve that exists on the western Cape York Peninsula, and generate hundreds of jobs for the region.” “Granting these leases gives Metro Mining the confidence to progress the mine’s construction and begin production with the first shipments of bauxite planned for early 2018.” “The mine...
LME aluminium remained unchanged at US$2,096.50 per tonne till yesterday, August 28, as London Stock Exchange was closed due to summer bank holiday. On resuming trading today, the light metal contract is expected to fall in the range of US$2,060-2,085 per tonne. As per Shanghai Metals Market forecast, LME aluminium will meet resistance at the 5-day and 10-day moving averages on Tuesday, August 29. As on August 25, LME official cash buyer aluminium price (Bid Price) stands at US$2,095.50 per tonne, cash seller & settlement aluminium price (Offer price) is US$2,096.50 per tonne, 3M Bid Price is US$2,097 per tonne, 3M Offer Price is US$2,099 per tonne, Dec1 Bid Price is US$2,137 per tonne, and Dec1 Offer Price is US$2,142 per tonne. LME aluminium Opening Stock stands at 1321600 tonnes, total...
MetPac-SA, the new industry body representing the interests of the local metal packaging industry, will team up with packaging streams in September to encourage households to practice recycling in South Africa as part of Clean-up and Recycle SA week. Clean-up and Recycle SA Week will take place this year from 11 – 17 September 2017, according to the media release. Delanie Bezuidenhout, CEO of MetPac-SA, said, “More than a third of all the aluminium currently produced globally originates from old, traded and new scrap. The high intrinsic value of metal scrap has always been the main impetus for recycling, independent of any legislative or political initiatives. In addition to this obvious economic dimension, growing environmental concerns and heightened social responsibility, have served...
Aluminium production in India is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5 per cent over the next 2-3 years fuelled by the rising domestic demand, according to a new report by CARE Ratings. The report titled “Aluminium Industry: The Silver Knight of the Economy,” says that various central government initiatives like Smart Cities campaign along with ramping up of the existing aluminium smelter capacities would boost the overall output. Owing to its low-cost advantage, surplus primary metal stock will continue to be exported earning foreign revenues for the country. According to CARE, aluminium consumption growth in India is likely to be driven by the growth in electrical and power transmission, and automobile sector. Demand from the building and construction sector...
