During steel melting and refining, contact with air and high-heat chemical reactions create oxygen. This oxygen mixes directly into the liquid steel. If left untreated, gas pockets will form when the steel solidifies. This makes the steel brittle. It reduces mechanical strength and fails technical standards.
To solve this completely, metallurgical plants use a strong deoxidizer. Aluminum is the perfect choice. When dropped into molten steel, aluminum reacts with oxygen instantly. This creates aluminum oxide. This compound is lighter than steel. It floats to the surface as a slag layer. Workers can easily remove it. This restores the purity and solid structure of the steel batch.
Why Is Aluminum Ingot 96 The Most Cost-Effective Choice?
Direct manufacturing plants worldwide are shifting away from highly expensive 99.9% pure aluminum. They are now switching to Aluminum Ingot 96 (around 96% purity). This choice offers superior economic benefits and high compatibility.
1. Analyzing the 4% Minor Elements in Aluminum Ingot 96
Many people mistakenly think the remaining 4% in Aluminum Ingot 96 are harmful impurities. In reality, these are mainly alloy elements. They include Iron (Fe), Silicon (Si), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn). In a steel furnace above 1500°C, these elements react in very beneficial ways:
- Iron (Fe): Steel is essentially an Iron-Carbon alloy. Therefore, the iron present in the aluminum ingot dissolves naturally into the liquid steel. It does not alter the physical properties of the final product.
- Silicon (Si) and Manganese (Mn): In metallurgy, Silicon and Manganese are common deoxidizers. They are often added as Ferrosilicon or Ferromanganese. The Si and Mn in the ingot work together with Aluminum. They capture excess oxygen. This creates oxide slags that float to the surface. This helps clean the steel batch faster.
- Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn): Zinc boils at a low temperature (around 907°C). When dropped into a 1500°C steel furnace, these trace elements vaporize. They travel into the dust collection system or dissolve into the slag. They do not cause gas pockets or make the steel brittle.
2. The Waste Paradox of Buying Pure Aluminum vs Aluminum Ingot 96
Raising aluminum purity from 96% to 99.7% or 99.9% takes massive electrical energy. This electrolysis process drives the price extremely high. The sole purpose is to completely remove Fe, Si, or Mn.
However, steel plants often buy this costly 99.9% pure aluminum as a deoxidizer. Then, they throw it into a furnace already full of Iron, Silicon, and Manganese. Paying a premium price to remove elements that are naturally compatible with steel furnaces is a huge waste of money. Aluminum Ingot 96 completely solves this paradox. It drops your input material costs to a minimum.
Operating and Size Advantages of Aluminum Ingot 96
Aluminum Ingot 96 is usually cast in a compact size. A standard dimension is 60cm x 10cm x 9cm (weighing about 14 – 15kg). This size provides absolute flexibility for the operating team:
- Workers can easily control the weight. They can accurately measure how many ingots to drop into the steel batch.
- It is easy to cut or mill into smaller pieces. This allows for even distribution on the liquid steel surface. The chemical reaction happens evenly and thoroughly.
Green Material from Recycled Aluminum Ingot 96
Using Aluminum Ingot 96 made from recycled aluminum is a mandatory trend for industrial groups. This process saves up to 95% of energy compared to refining bauxite ore. It also minimizes environmental waste. This is a crucial “ticket” for steel plants to easily earn green manufacturing certificates. It highly boosts your competitive edge when exporting to strict global markets.
Ensure a Direct Supply Chain with Minh Dung Holdings
Minh Dung Holdings specializes in producing and directly supplying Aluminum Ingot 96 and Aluminum Billets to factories. We use high-quality recycled aluminum. With large volume supply capabilities and a standard casting process that strictly controls the component ratio, we guarantee a sustainable and highly effective material solution for your steel furnaces.
Contact Minh Dung Holdings today to receive a detailed B2B quote and set up a long-term material supply chain!
Kevin Nguyen
Export Specialist
Phone/WhatsApp: +84 373 486 719
