Aluminium scrap

European aluminium scrap

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Learn about the standardization of European aluminium scrap and its classification according to chemical composition, pollutant level, and physical size.

Aluminium scrap standardization

Standardization of aluminium scrap has several levels [1]:

American
European
national;
individual contracts between individual manufacturers and customers.

Marketable aluminum scrap is usually classified according to several characteristics, the main ones being:

chemical composition of metals
pollutant level
physical size and shape
the degree of homogeneity, that is, the deviation of characteristics within given technical conditions.

European standard EN 13920

The European standard EN 13920 covers all types of aluminum scrap and sets standards for its classification. This standard consists of 16 parts:

1 – general technical conditions
2-16 – various types of aluminum scrap.

ISRI Specifications

This classification was developed by the American Institute of Waste and Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). Widely used internationally [3]. Classifies scrap and waste of the following materials:

non-ferrous metals, including aluminum
black metals
glass
paper
electronic products
waste car tires.

Technical conditions of national associations

Many countries have developed their own technical conditions for aluminum scrap over many years. These national specifications take the form of agreements or contracts between two parties. They are usually based on a standard classification with additional requirements that reflect the specific production conditions of both the scrap supplier or processor and its customer.

European aluminium scrap (EN 13920)

Condensed information is presented [2]
Chemical composition – in percentage mass fractions.
In the figures in brackets – compliance with the ISRI classification [3].

EN 13920-2 – Unalloyed aluminum

Yield of usable metal: usually 95%
Composition, max.: Si =0.25%; Fe = 0.4%; Cu = 0.05%; Mn = 0.05%; Mg = 0.05%; Zn = 0.07%; Ti = 0.05%; others, each = 0.05%

Figure 1 – Unalloyed aluminum – EN 13920-2
(Tablet, Tabloid)

EN 13920-3 – Wires and cables

Yield of usable metal: ≥ 95%
Non-alloy aluminum composition, max.: Si = 0.25%; Fe = 0.4%; Cu = 0.05%; Mn = 0.05%; Mg = 0.05%; Zn = 0.07%; Ti = 0.05%; others, each = 0.03%
6xxx series alloy composition, max.: Si = 0.6%; Fe = 0.3%, Cu = 0.05%; Mn = 0.05%; Mg = 0.06%; Cr =0.05%; Zn = 0.07%, Ti = 0.10%; others, each = 0.05%; others, total = 0.15%

EN 13920-4 – Single wrought alloy

Yield of usable metal: ≥ 95%
Composition: chemical composition of wrought alloy according to EN 573-3 or other registered alloy (in the form of profiles, pipes, sheets, forgings)

Figure 2 – Single wrought alloy – EN 13920-4
(Tata, Tulu, Treat)

EN 13920-5 – Two or more wrought alloys of the same series

Yield of usable metal: ≥ 88%
Composition for various bases:
– multi-purpose base
– 2xxx series base
– 3xxx series base
– 5xxx series base
– 6xxx series base
– 7xxx series base

EN 13920-6 – Two or more wrought alloys

Yield of usable metal: ≥ 88%
Alloy composition A, max.: Si = 1.0%; Fe = 0.80%; Cu = 0.80%; Zn = 0.50%; Ti = 0.20%; others, each = 0.10%.
Alloy composition B, max.: Si = 1.5%; Fe = 1.2%; Cu = 1.0%; Mn = 0.70%; Mg = 1.0%; Zn = 0.70%; Ti = 0.20%; others, each = 0.15%.

Figure 3 – “Two or more wrought alloys” – EN 13920-6

EN 13920-7 – Foundry scrap

Yield of usable metal: ≥ 90%
Composition, max.: Si = 13.5%; Fe = 1.1%; Cu = 3.5%; Mn = 0.5%; Mg = 0.3%; Ni = 0.3%; Zn = 1.2%; Ti = 0.15%; Pb = 0.2%; Sn =0.1%; others, each = 0.15%.

Figure 4 – Foundry Scrap – EN 13920-7
(Tense, Trump, Twist, Troma)

EN 13920-8 – Unsorted shredded scrap of aluminium and other non-ferrous metals

Yield of usable metal: ≥90%
Composition, max.: Si = 9.0%; Fe = 1.1%; Cu = 3.5%; Mn = 0.5%, Mg = 0.5%; Ni = 0.3%; Zn = 1.2%; Ti = 0.15%; Pb = 0.2%; Sn = 0.1%; others, each = 0.15%.

Figure 5 – Shredded scrap

EN 13920-9 – Sorted shredded scrap

Yield of usable metal: ≥ 90%
Composition, max.: Si = 9.0%; Fe = 1.1%; Cu = 3.5%; Mn = 0.5%; Mg = 0.5%; Ni = 0.3%; Zn = 1.2%; Ti = 0.15%; Pb = 0.2%; Sn = 0.1%; others, each = 0.15%.

EN 13920-10 – Used aluminum cans

Yield of usable metal: ≥88%
Composition, max.: Si = 0.3%; Fe = 0.5%; Cu = 0.2%; Mn = 1.1%; Mg = 1.3%; Ni = 0.01%; Zn = 0.05%; Ti = 0.05%; Pb = 0.01%; Sn = 0.05%; others, each = 0.05%; others, total = 0.15%

Used aluminum cans – EN 13920-10
(Talcred, Taldon)

EN 13920-11 – Aluminium-copper radiators

Yield of usable metal: not regulated
Composition, max.: Fe = 0.7%; Cu = 40%; other impurities = 0.2%; Al = rest

Aluminum-copper radiators – EN 13920-11
(Talk, Tally)

EN 13920-12 – Single alloy chips

Yield of usable metal: ≥90%
Scrap must not be oxidized
Composition tolerances, max.: 0.5% magnetic iron; 5% moisture and oils; 3% fine fragments passing through a No. 20 sieve (after drying).

Shavings of one alloy – EN 13920-12
(Teens)

EN 13920-13 – Mixed chips from two or more alloys

Yield of usable metal: ≥90%
Scrap must not be oxidized
Composition tolerances, max.: 0.5% iron; 5% moisture and oils; 3% fine fragments passing through a No. 20 sieve (after drying).