Term

Description

Agglomeration  

Term commonly used to describe sticking together of grain refiner particles.

Alumina or Aluminium oxide.

A mixture containing more than one element.

An element that is added to metal to change its physical characteristics and properties.

Aluminium oxide (commonly used to make CFFs and the filtering component of DBFs).

(Aluminum) The 13th element in the periodic table , and the earth's most abundant metallic element, aluminium was discovered in 1827. Aluminium has an atomic weight of 26.98, a melting point of 660.32 C (1220.576 F), and a boiling point of 2529 C (456 F). Aluminium is an abundant, light metal with a silvery appearance, used in the manufacture of products requiring light weight, resistance to corrosion and electrical conductivity.

A heat treatment commonly used to soften an aluminium alloy.

Positive electrode made of carbon in electrolytic cells used in the smelting process.

(also Anodic Oxidation) Coating aluminium by a treatment that creates a thin and extremely hard layer of aluminium oxide on the surface of the metal. Dye-colored coatings can be applied during the process.

A soil type and ore derived from the weathering of granite (sialic parent rock), and depleted of nearly all soluble elements. Aluminium oxides are virtually all that remain after calcium, potassium, sodium and silicon have been leached out. Bauxite is the principle ore of aluminium, and is predominantly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

A cylindrical aluminium ingot used to make extrusions.

Negative electrode in electrolytic cells used in the smelting process.

Pouring molten metal into moulds at any stage of the fabrication and manufacturing process.

Ability to conduct electricity.

Term often applied to twin roll casting, where thin strip is cast directly from molten metal.

Salts-based flux (e.g. potassium aluminium fluoride).

Direct-chill casting, a common method used in the wrought industry to produce slabs and billets.

The act of reducing the hydrogen level of molten aluminium. It is often used to also remove inclusions as well as reduce the levels of Na and Ca in the molten aluminium.

The act of dissolving, especially applied to compacted additives.

Forcing a flat metal blank into a die under pressure from a metal ram. This process is used in the manufacture of aluminium 'hollowware'.

The measure of a material's ability to deform elastically and plastically without fracturing. 

In alloy systems with eutectics, this can be the lowest melting point phase and so the last to solidify when casting. In Al-Si casting alloys, the eutectic is often modified to alter its structure to enhance ductility.

The act of deforming solid aluminium, usually in the form of a cylindrical billet, by pushing it from an enclosed container through a die to form a product of consistent cross section.

Removal of inclusions from the molten metal (see also CFF, DBF).

Ability to flow and fill a mould.

There are several types of fluxes used in the aluminium industry, having different applications, for example to reduce hydrogen gas levels or to remove dross.

The act of deforming solid aluminium into either a particular shape by hammering or squeezing in a closed die, or deforming between flat platens.

Term often used to distinguish a producer of shaped castings from a wrought (e.g. billets, slabs) producer.

Method used to alter an alloys properties (e.g. annealing is to soften, whilst other treatments are to harden).

The only gas which dissolves to any extent in aluminium.

Metal cast in a shape that is convenient for handling, storage, shipping and remelting. Ingots may be small enough to be stacked and handled by one person, or in the case of a larger T-ingot, may be designed to be handled by a forklift.

A term used for forcing molten metal into a die, also used to describe introduction of powder alloying additives to a furnace of molten metal.

International standard for quality system management.

Aluminium readily forms oxides which are generally unwanted inclusions.

The presence of pores in a cast structure. The only gas which dissolves to any extent in aluminium is hydrogen. When molten aluminium is solidified the level of hydrogen that can remain in solution is reduced, so porosity may result.

The act of controlling the key parameters of a process to try to ensure product consistency.

Rapid cooling of a metal from an elevated temperature.

A high melting point material, various refractories exist in the industry with many applications including the direct containment of molten aluminium.

For an alloying additive this refers to how much of the alloying element in the master alloy or compacted additive ends up in the final alloy.

The act of squeezing between two rollers to form a flat plate, sheet or foil section. Rolling is often first done "hot" to reduce thickness of the cast section in as few passes as possible. "Cold" rolling provide strength benefits as well as being used to achieve final dimensional tolerances.

Process of producing molten aluminium by the reduction of alumina.

A measure of how well an additive dissolves in molten aluminium (can also be applied to solid solutions)