Aluminum Dross (356 Aluminum)

[pare6496]

I was just wondering if it is normal for aluminum wheel suppliers to charge for dross and melt loss. I always thought manufacturers of Aluminum products could offset the cost of lost material by either recycling or selling their dross (but maybe this is not possible with AL 356?). Any information pertaining to this questions or dross in general would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kenvlach]

I have only limited aluminum casting experience (research work), but from observing commercial practises, I think you will end up paying one way or another. Either a direct charge as you report, or it is built into their overhead and pricing.
However, some foundaries run 'cleaner' than others (reduced dross formation) by protective gas shielding, use of master alloys & faster analyses for less holding time at temperature while achieving alloy composition, etc.

There may not be a market for the dross; it can only be recovered by the few primary producers who electrolytically smelt purified alumina. The alloying elements Si, Fe, etc., are certainly undesirable in primary 99% ingot. Secondary or alloyed 90% ingot, as from recycled metal, normally sells at a lower price, by $20-$90/ton.

 

[etch]

Okay, dross can be melted by secondary producers and some will pay good money for it, if they are sticking by thier guns, ask them for the dross back and sell it directly to a secondary aluminium producer, because that is what they will do.

Melt loss is generally built into cost price, at quotation stage. typically about 5-10%

 

[matsSjostrand]

The best way is to briquett the chips.
In this way you get a higher price due to that the remelting losses in form of dross / gases (from emulsion) decrease.
The price will be the same as for scrap.
One can achive up to 98% recovery in the meltingprocess like this.
Buy a briquetter

mats

 

[arunmrao]

If you are supplying the raw material for making castings,then you have every right to ask for the dross and melting loss,rejections related issues. Conversion jobs are a lot tricky and are not straight forward.

The other scenario where you buy the castings,is a lot simpler. Dross,melting loss etc are the problems of the foundry.You cannot ask for any of the details. You only need to look into cost,quality and delivery.