Hazards and optimal utilization of iron in low-carbon recycled aluminum alloys
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Laichang Zhang: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0661-2051
Abstract
Driven by the proposed new circular economy goals and “dual carbon” strategy (carbon peak and carbon neutrality), the inherent recyclability of aluminum and its alloys makes their secondary utilization critical for green and sustainable development. Owing to its controllable source, scrap aluminum produced by manufacturing industries, such as the automobile, aerospace, and electronics industries, represents a high-value resource that will be critical for the global supply of aluminum and its alloys. However, large amounts of impurity elements (Fe, Si, Mg, Cu, and others) are introduced into scrap aluminum during the recycling process, among which Fe is the most harmful. Consequently, recycled aluminum is largely restricted to lower-grade applications, precluding its comprehensive substitution of primary aluminum. This article reviews the detrimental effects of Fe and the resulting Fe-rich phases (FRPs) on aluminum alloys, summarizes existing Fe removal and deterioration mitigation methods, and evaluates the industrial feasibility of these methods to provide comprehensive theoretical guidance for future FRP control technology. Moreover, this review provides guidance for resolving the impediments to the grade preservation and subsequent use of industrial recycled aluminum.
Keywords
Aluminum melt, iron removal, iron-rich phase, recycling, service performance
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
4-1-2026
Volume
33
Issue
4
Publication Title
International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials
Publisher
Springer
School
Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing / School of Engineering
Funders
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52401048), the Science and Technology Development Program of Jilin Province, China (No. 20260102102JC), the ECU DVC strategic research fund (No. 23965), and the Cooperative Fund for Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (SPMI2024-05).
Copyright
free_to_read
First Page
1031
Last Page
1066
Comments
Gao, Y., Dong, B., Yang, H., Cai, Z., Liu, T., Zhong, X., Cong, P., Shu, S., Meng, J., Qiao, J., Zhu, M., Kang, J., Liu, L., Qiu, F., Jiang, Q., & Zhang, L. (2026). Hazards and optimal utilization of iron in low-carbon recycled aluminum alloys. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 33, 1031–1066. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-025-3271-y