Impact Factor:

18.9

DOI number:

10.1038/s41467-024-53062-2

Journal:

Nature Communications

Abstract:

Although recycling secondary aluminum can lead to energy consumption reduction compared to primary aluminum manufacturing, products produced by traditional melt-based recycling processes are inherently limited in terms of alloy composition and microstructure, and thus final properties. To overcome the constraints associated with melting, we have developed a solid-phase recycling and simultaneous alloying method. This innovative process enables the alloying of 6063 aluminum scrap with copper, zinc, and magnesium to form a nanocluster-strengthened high-performance aluminum alloy with a composition and properties akin to 7075 aluminum alloy. The unique nanostructure with a high density of Guinier-Preston zones and uniformly precipitated nanoscale η‘/Mg(CuZn)2 strengthening phases enhances both yield and ultimate tensile strength by >200%. By delivering high-performance products from scrap that are not just recycled but upcycled, this scalable manufacturing approach provides a model for metal reuse, with the option for on-demand upcycling of a variety of metallic materials from scrap sources.

Co-author:

Zehao Li, Tingkun Liu, Xiang Wang, Arun Devaraj, Cindy A Powell

First Author:

Tianhao Wang

Correspondence Author:

Xiao Li,Jorge F Dos Santos

Discipline:

Engineering

Document Type:

J

Volume:

15

Issue:

1

Page Number:

10664

Translation or Not:

no

Date of Publication:

2024-12-10

Included Journals:

SCI

Links to published journals:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53062-2