The global leader in aluminium production, RUSAL in association with Kamensk-Uralsky Metallurgical Works J.S.Co (KUMZ), one of the largest downstream companies in Russia has successfully debuted the production of various rolled and pressed semi-finished products from an aluminium-magnesium-scandium alloy of grade 1581.
_0_0.jpg)
The semi-finished products supplier in aluminium and magnesium alloys, KUMZ, as a part of this collaboration organised the commercial production of plates and sheets from ingots, produced by the Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter following a specially developed rolling technology.
However, such semis are in demand amongst Russian customers from the transport-engineering sector, who develop and produce products for the railway and shipbuilding industries.
The alloy of grade 1581, developed by experts of the Institute of Light Metals and Technologies (ILM&T), the RUSAL research and production centre, is an alternative to traditional aluminium alloys. By adding scandium, it was possible to enhance its properties by more than 30% compared to AMg5 alloys, while maintaining a high level of corrosion resistance and weldability, which allows the material to be used in welded structures. At the same time, due to the small content of scandium, the cost of this product is significantly reduced relative to existing scandium-containing solutions, which makes it competitive against traditional aluminium solutions.
Viktor Mann, Chief Technical Officer at RUSAL said: “Launching the production of this material and its successful entry into the Russian Maritime Shipping Register is the next step in implementing RUSAL’s strategy, to develop and promote innovative scandium-containing products and expand applications of aluminium in high-tech industries.”
Rusal floated its new brand of aluminium-scandium solutions, ScAlution in April 2021. The technological, physical and mechanical properties of these alloys contribute to making vehicles lighter in weight, reducing fuel consumption and air emissions.
Responses
