Elemental analysis of lightweight metal scraps recovered by an automatic sorting technique combining a weight meter and a laser 3D shape-detection system

• The effectiveness of the developed automatic sorting technique was verified.
• Elemental analysis of lightweight metal scraps was conducted using an XRF analyzer.
• Without sorting, the Si and Cu contents in Al scrap greatly exceeded standard values.
• After sorting, the necessary dilution rate using virgin Al ingot greatly decreased.
• The developed sorting technique also contributes to the recycling of Mg scrap.

To verify the effectiveness of a new automatic sorting technique that combines a weight meter and a laser 3D shape-detection system, elemental analysis of lightweight metal scraps generated in end-of-life vehicle (ELV) shredder facilities was conducted using a handheld XRF analyzer. According to their 3D shape and chemical composition, aluminum scraps were classified into cast alloy (Alc) and wrought alloy (Alw) fragments, and magnesium scraps were classified into irregularly shaped and rod-like fragments. The average chemical composition of a group of fragments was estimated before and after the separation test using the developed automatic sorting technique. The results show that the production of wrought aluminum alloy from the mixture of Alc and Alw fragments is not realistic because the contents of some alloying elements greatly exceed the standard values, although these alloying elements greatly decrease after the Alc fragments are separated out. For the magnesium scraps, after the rod-like magnesium fragments originating from the steering column were separated from the irregularly shaped fragments, the average chemical compositions of the rod-like products and the irregularly shaped products clearly approached the standard compositions of AM60B and AZ91D alloys, respectively. Thus, it was confirmed that the developed automatic sorting technique contributes to recycling of lightweight metal scrap in the automobile industry.