Análisis e implementación del proceso de fundición de aleación de aluminio a partir de chatarra para la Empresa Ecuamatriz CÍA. LTDA

Abstract

According to national data, Ecuador imports 70% of its primary aluminum and only produces 30% of its secondary aluminum. This reflects a clear issue: the lack of scrap treatment for the production of new aluminum. This study aimed to analyze and implement an aluminum alloy casting process from scrap metal for Ecuamatriz Cía. Ltda. It uses a methodology with a quantitative approach due to the percentages of each element that compose the alloy melted from scrap, to determine an optimal mix that achieves secondary aluminum similar to that used by ECUAMATRIZ CIA LTDA. The research focused on conducting experimental tests to determine an aluminum scrap mix that met the company's requirements. The results showed that the use of profiles is essential, not only due to their high aluminum content (around 98%) but also because they allow for cleaner casting. With the help of fluxes, this resulted in a clean alloy without porosities that indicate contamination and that complies with standard 383 for aluminum alloys. The optimal mix was found to be 30% profiles, 25% pistons, and 45%-cylinder heads. It was concluded that engine cylinder heads are the primary source for aluminum recovery due to their silicon and aluminum content. Replacing pistons with pure silicon is recommended to prevent contamination and reduce copper content (the main impurity in the obtained alloy) to comply with standard A 413.