Kaiser Aluminium files patent on recycled aluminium alloy sheet with enhanced tensile properties

Kaiser Aluminum has submitted a patent application for an aluminium alloy sheet that incorporates no less than 50% recycled material in its composition. The patent application (Publication Number: US20230257853A1) was filed recently, describing an aluminium alloy sheet comprising recycled and non-recycled materials. The patent also encompasses the methods for manufacturing the alloy sheet and an aluminium package.

This sheet boasts an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) range of 37 to 52 ksi and tensile yield strength (TYS) range of 34 ksi to 47 ksi. The alloy composition comprises a first component made from recycled material and a second component made from non-recycled material.

Some of the salient features of Kaiser's patented aluminium alloy are:

• The aluminium alloy sheet has at least 50% recycled content.
• The ultimate tensile strength ranges from 37 to 52 ksi, while the tensile yield strength ranges from 34 to 47 ksi.
• The alloy composition may also include a third component made from mill scrap.
• The recycled content of the alloy composition can be increased to at least 70%.
• The recycled material used in the first component of the alloy sheet can be sourced from various scrap aluminium associations. The non-recycled material in the second component of the alloy sheet can be prime aluminium, an alloying element, or a combination thereof.
• The aluminium alloy composition has specific weight percentages for each element.
• The patent also describes a method of making an aluminium package using the aluminium alloy sheet.
• The sheet is formed into the desired shape to create an aluminium alloy package.
• The aluminium package can be used for processed food applications.

This patent unequivocally describes an aluminium alloy sheet with an impressively high recycled content, offering unparalleled specific tensile strength properties. The alloy composition can be meticulously adjusted to meet an extensive range of application requirements, and the method of manufacturing aluminium packages using this alloy sheet is also explicitly disclosed.

If you wish to learn about aluminium usage in the sustainable packaging industry, please have a look at AL Circle's special report, Aluminium Foils and its End Uses.