Using Induction Heating to Form Recycled Aluminum - SINATRA

Purpose and goal:

The feasibility study investigates the use of recycled aluminum for sheet metal components, particularly High Strength Aluminum (HSA), which is lightweight and corrosion resistant. It aims to use induction heating as an energy efficient method to preheat recycled aluminum with specific conditions. The project concludes that induction heating is an effective method for this purpose, but an uneven temperature distribution is noted for recycled aluminum which is material dependent. In addition, a better FEA model is needed to predict the temperature stochastic distribution.

Expected results and effects:

The project limited analyses identified potential improvements in material and process, aiming for life cycle analysis (LCA) goals. The focus is using advance technology to preheating recycled aluminum and being a key argument due to energy efficiency e.g., a lower carbon footprint, resource conservation, reduced waste and frequent replacements. However, an important prerequisite for creating condition to enhance control over the secondary content of recycled aluminum material to create a reliable manufacturing process or changing the product´s performance and requirement.

Approach and implementation:

Physical tests have been carried out and the results studied against reference material. The control system and software for induction heating have been modified and adapted to aluminum material by carrying out both theoretical calculations and practical trials. The conditions of the experiment have been changed by adding heat shields and recording the heat distribution with a thermal camera.

All investigations have been documented in digital forms. Besides the project members have participated in the LCA workshop and have presented the project´s prerequisites within the subject