COMMENT :
Aluminium contributes to fuel efficiency, corrosion resistance & low cost maintenance
Aluminium’s contribution to sustainable modern living cannot be denied. This is a young and modern metal having only been produced on an industrial scale since 1886 when Hall and Héroult independently discovered how to produce aluminium through electrolysis. In 1900 annual output of aluminium was one thousand tonne. The metal makes a key contribution to fuel-efficient engines in cars and trucks as well as to high speed rail and sea travel. By reducing the vehicles weight, it cuts down on fuel consumption and emissions without compromising the size or the safety of the vehicles.
NEWS CORNER
Siroll Alusix: New Six-high Roll Stand Increases Output and Improves Product Quality - Siemens Expands Portfolio for Aluminum Cold Rolling Mills
Siemens VAI Metals Technologies is adding the Siroll Alusix six-high roll stand to its range of products. Compared to conventional four-high stands, this type of stand has a wider control range. This ensures flexible rolling scheduling and thus increased productivity, especially in cases where there are frequent changes in widths or products.
REFRACTORY
Development of Zonal Lining for 320MT Torpedo Ladle
In India, most of the integrated steel plants have either been modernized or are being modernized in order to increase capacity & productivity and to reduce cost. The capacity of different operating units like blast furnace, torpedo ladle etc. has increased considerably. Large capacity torpedo ladles have already been installed in some of the steel plants in India where as several other steel plants are in process of introducing torpedo ladles. Due to the increasing demand of torpedo ladles with enhanced capacity, it Has become essential to develop suitable refractories lining design in order to achieve consistent and reliable performance.
SPECIAL COVERAGE
Indian aluminium sector in a mood to expand & diversify
Indian primary aluminium industry is highly concentrated, a pattern much similar to the global aluminium sector, with five large integrated companies (Hindalco, Indal Nalco, Malco and Balco) operating in a substantially low-cost environment, compared to its global peers. With the process of consolidation moving at a faster pace, since 2000, the domestic aluminium segment was marked by significant changes (Indal was acquired by Hindalco and Balco was taken over by the Sterlite Industries). However, mid 2000 onwards, the Indian aluminium sector experienced a slowdown, following the turmoil in the global aluminium industry (with the collapse of APA combine and 9/11 disaster in the United States).
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
Aluminium 2008 at Eesen, Germany is the most successful new industrial trade fair
ESSEN. It shone and posted new records: Hans-Joachim Erbel, the Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH, had every reason to smile. That’s because the outcome, that he was able to present, of this year’s ALUMINIUM was exceptional even for trade fair organisers who are used to success. With a 27 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors, an increase in area of 15 per cent and an almost ten per cent increase in visitor numbers, ALUMINIUM achieved double-digit growth rates for the seventh time in succession. “As a result, ALUMINIUM is the most successful new industrial trade fair to have come to the market worldwide since the end of the 1990’s,” stated Hans-Joachim Erbel on Thursday in Essen.
Alcan Engineered Products showcases lightweight materials and recycling solutions for key industry
eco-challenges at ALUMINIUM 2008 fair in Essen, Germany
Alcan Engineered Products – a business unit of Rio Tinto Alcan and an international leader in engineered aluminium, lightweight materials and technology – presents its broad portfolio of innovative multi-material products and sustainability solutions at the ALUMINIUM 2008 fair in Essen (Germany) from 23 to 25 September 2008.
Participation from 15 Countries at India’s Largest Ever Mining Expo – IMME 2008
Responding to the business opportunities and the current initiatives of the Government of India in the Mining Sector, the 9th International Mining & Machinery Exhibition (IMME’08) has surpassed all previous records of exhibitor participation – more than 100% increase in the size of the show. Over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries will be showcasing the latest products and technologies in an area of 50,000 sqmtrs of indoor and outdoor space (the total available space fully booked with few companies still wait-listed) at this international event scheduled from 5th to 8th November, 2008 at the Salt Lake Stadium Grounds, Kolkata, India. The special focus, this time, is on Mining Construction, Material Handling and Mineral Processes.
TECHNOLOGY/PROCESS REVIEW
Application of Modeling Techniques for Aluminum Casting and Rolling Process Development
The direct chill (DC) casting process is the predominant process for ingot production in aluminum sheet manufacture. The production cost and ingot quality are largely determined by facility design and processing parameters such as casting temperature, speed, and water cooling rate. One major problem encountered during the DC casting process is hot cracking of ingots. This problem is of increasing concern as the industry moves toward larger ingot cross sections and higher casting speeds to increase overall productivity.
Aluminum Alloys for Rail Car Applications
The global demand for energy is growing and coal fired power plants represent an efficient, relatively inexpensive source
force this demand. In the United States, more than 49% of the energy is produced via coal1. As a result the demand for coal
is high and consequently the demand for efficient transportation from mine to power plant has become the commercial driver
for aluminum-designed coal hauling railroad cars. The aluminum designed coal cars increase payload, improve track efficiencies
and require fewer locomotives due to the lightweight designs made possible by aluminum alloys. In order to lightweight transportation vehicles
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