Effect of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties of Recycled Aluminium

Abstract

Aluminium can recycle reduces waste, saves energy, conserves resources, and generates revenue while minimizing landfill use. This paper presents the effect of adding Magnesium (Mg) on the tensile strength and hardness of recycled aluminium from used beverage cans (UBCs). The UBCs were converted into aluminium ingots, various percentages of ingots/as-received magnesium ribbon (3 wt%, 6 wt%, 8 wt%, and 10 wt%) were die casted to Al-Mg alloys. Tensile and Hardness tests were conducted according to the ASTM Standards; ASTM B557 – 15 and ASTM E10 – 12 using Universal and Brinell Hardness, Testing Machines. The tensile strength is improved significantly with the increase in magnesium for all alloys; highest being 33.5Mpa (97.06% increase) for 90 wt% Al-10 wt% Mg (Al-10Mg) and the lowest being 20.8 Mpa (22.35% increase) for 97 wt% Al-3 wt% Mg (Al-3Mg) but the hardness was maximum at (Al-3Mg); 52BHN (160% increase) and minimum at 94 wt% Al-6 wt% Mg (Al-6Mg); 30.5BHN (52.50% increase). These results demonstrate that the present of magnesium particles as dispersion hardening material has impede dislocation movement, enhancing the recycled Al-Mg alloys’ mechanical properties; specifi-cally tensile strength and hardness. Hence, the alloy of Al-10Mg configuration is recommended for high tensile strength applications, while that of Al-3Mg is recommended for high hardness applications.