Fit mix effect modelling of physio-mechanical properties of experimental al-zn-mg-cu alloy stir-cast from recycled beverage can

Abstract

The unique properties of aluminium and its alloyability with metals and non-metals made it one among most studied materials. It has vast areas of application in the automobile and aerospace industries. More than 97 % of aluminium used in beverage cans (BCs) are recoverable. Bulk of efforts were channelled to reuse of BCs to produce another can. Casting of a new Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy from BCs, adoption of Fit Mix Effect (FME) to model the physical and mechanical properties of the novel alloy were lacking in previous studies. Ingots were cast from BCs and spent batteries. Weight percent (Weight wWt. %) Zn were alternated between 4, 4.5 and 5 to produce nine (9) sections. Tensile and hardness pieces were heat treated. Largely, S3 delivered the peak UTS of 362.935 MPa, hardness of 113.06 Hv, 1.38 mm elongation and density of 2.8001 g/cm3. The empirical properties were used in delivering the FME model after fitting. The model was significant (P=0.991) and fully represent the properties of this alloy. Further studies may adopt this model to predict the properties of similar alloy and validate with experimental outcomes. Simulation of the properties are equally open for further investigations. Simulation of the properties are equally open for further investigations.