Get the Most Aluminum From Melting Cans
Summary
TLDRIn this intriguing video, the host embarks on a project to extract aluminum from soda cans, addressing the common misconceptions about the quality of aluminum from cans. Despite the presence of a plastic liner and the challenges of oxidation during melting, the host demonstrates a method to minimize aluminum loss. Using a crucible, they form a pool of molten aluminum and dunk cans to reduce oxidation. The video also explores the addition of flux to separate impurities and the potential alloying with copper to improve casting and machining properties. The host concludes with tips on enhancing the aluminum's usability and the importance of distinguishing between pure and cast aluminum.
Takeaways
- đ„€ Cans are a common source of aluminum, but the aluminum obtained from them is not of high quality due to the presence of a plastic liner and oxidation issues.
- đ„ The process of melting cans involves dealing with oxidation that occurs before the aluminum melts, which can reduce the quality of the aluminum obtained.
- đź The plastic liner inside cans prevents the acidic beverage from corroding the aluminum, but it also means that around half the weight of a can is not aluminum.
- đș To minimize loss of aluminum, the process involves creating a pool of liquid aluminum and dunking the cans into it to melt them quickly.
- đ The aluminum from cans is fairly pure but lacks silicon, which is needed to improve its casting and machining properties.
- đ§Ș Using a flux, such as Morton's light salt, can help reduce the amount of dross (oxidized aluminum) and improve the purity of the aluminum obtained.
- đ ïž The video demonstrates a method to purify aluminum from cans by melting them and managing the dross to get a more workable metal.
- đ There's a noticeable difference in the appearance and properties between pure aluminum from cans and cast aluminum, with the former being shinier and less dense.
- đ© Adding elements like copper to the aluminum can improve its casting and machining properties, making it more suitable for various applications.
- đ The video provides a practical demonstration of weighing aluminum and copper to achieve the right proportions for alloying, highlighting the importance of accurate measurements in metallurgy.
- đ„ The script is from a video that not only instructs on the process but also shares the experimenter's observations and tips for successfully working with aluminum from cans.
Q & A
What is the main issue with using aluminum cans as a source of aluminum?
-The main issue with using aluminum cans as a source of aluminum is that the aluminum obtained from them isn't very good due to the presence of a plastic liner and the fact that it oxidizes before it melts, which results in a significant loss of aluminum.
Why is silicon important when melting aluminum from cans?
-Silicon is important because it helps to improve the casting and machining properties of the aluminum. The aluminum from cans lacks silicon, making it less desirable for certain applications.
What is the purpose of using a flux when melting aluminum cans?
-The purpose of using a flux is to reduce the oxidation of aluminum and to help separate impurities like the plastic liner and dross from the molten aluminum, thus improving the purity and quality of the aluminum obtained.
How does the process of dunking cans into a pool of molten aluminum work?
-The process involves melting a piece of aluminum to form a pool, and then dunking aluminum cans into this pool to melt them. This method helps to minimize oxidation and maximize the amount of aluminum salvaged from the cans.
What is the role of the plastic liner inside the cans during the melting process?
-The plastic liner inside the cans acts as a barrier to prevent the acidic content of the beverage from corroding the aluminum. However, during the melting process, it becomes part of the dross and reduces the overall aluminum yield.
Why does the video suggest adding copper to the aluminum from cans?
-Adding copper to the aluminum from cans is suggested to improve its casting and machining properties. Pure aluminum is soft and not ideal for machining, so copper is added to create an alloy that is stronger and more suitable for these purposes.
How can one determine the percentage of copper to add to the aluminum?
-One can determine the percentage of copper to add by calculating the desired total weight of the alloy and then adding the appropriate amount of copper to achieve 5% to 10% of that total weight.
What is dross and why is it a problem during the melting of aluminum cans?
-Dross is the impure residue that forms on the surface of molten metal due to oxidation and other impurities. It is a problem because it traps aluminum, reducing the yield of pure aluminum and also because it can contaminate the metal.
How does the aluminum from cans compare to cast aluminum in terms of appearance and properties?
-The aluminum from cans is purer and appears shinier compared to cast aluminum, which has a less shiny and dirtier surface. Cast aluminum also exhibits more shrinkage than aluminum from cans.
What is the significance of the non-stick coating burning off in the pan during the pouring process?
-The burning off of the non-stick coating indicates that the temperature of the molten aluminum is high enough to damage the pan's coating, which could contaminate the aluminum and also suggests that special care should be taken when choosing containers for pouring molten aluminum.
What is the final step the presenter takes to ensure the aluminum ingots are properly cast?
-The final step the presenter takes is to tighten the lid of the crucible after it has expanded due to heat, ensuring a tight seal to contain the aluminum as it cools and solidifies into ingots.
Outlines
đ„€ Melting Aluminum Cans for Recycling
The script discusses the process of melting aluminum cans for recycling purposes. The narrator explains that while cans are a common source of aluminum, the aluminum obtained from them is not of high quality due to the lack of silicon and the presence of a plastic liner. The narrator demonstrates how to melt cans to minimize the loss of aluminum, addressing issues like oxidation and dross formation. The process involves creating a pool of molten aluminum and dunking cans into it to melt them efficiently. The narrator also touches on the idea of adding elemental silicon to improve the quality of the aluminum but decides against it for the time being.
đ„ Overcoming Challenges in Melting Cans
In this paragraph, the narrator encounters and overcomes challenges while melting cans. The heat from the melting process causes the pole to get hot, and the narrator is cautious about potential fire hazards. They discuss the use of uncrushed cans and the dross problem, which refers to the impurities that form on the surface of the molten aluminum. The narrator uses a flux, Morton light salt, to help separate the aluminum from the dross. They experiment with different amounts of flux and observe the changes in the dross's appearance. The narrator also attempts to pour the molten aluminum into molds, noting the difficulty and the need to avoid losing aluminum to oxidation.
đ Improving Cast Aluminum Quality
The final paragraph focuses on the quality of cast aluminum and ways to improve it. The narrator compares the appearance of purified can ingots to cast aluminum, noting the differences in shine and surface texture. They discuss the issue of shrinkage in cast aluminum and how adding elements like copper can improve its casting and machining properties. The narrator calculates the amount of copper needed to achieve a 5-10% mixture with the aluminum and plans to use small sections of copper pipe for this purpose. The paragraph concludes with the narrator's intention to start casting actual objects and invites viewers to stay tuned for future content.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄAluminum
đĄOxidation
đĄDross
đĄFlux
đĄSilicon
đĄCasting
đĄMachining
đĄCruel
đĄPlastic liner
đĄIngot
đĄShrinkage
Highlights
Introduction to melting cans for aluminum extraction.
Cans are a common source of aluminum, but the quality of aluminum varies.
Problems with aluminum from cans include oxidation and plastic liners.
The aluminum from cans lacks silicon, which is essential for casting.
Demonstration of melting cans to minimize loss of aluminum.
Using a flux to reduce oxidation and improve aluminum recovery.
The process of creating a pool of molten aluminum for dunking cans.
Technique to dunk cans into the molten aluminum pool to reduce oxidation.
Observation of the dross formation and its impact on aluminum purity.
Using Morton light salt as a flux to improve aluminum extraction.
The importance of fluxing to remove crud and improve aluminum flow.
Pouring aluminum into molds and observing the differences between cast and can aluminum.
Comparison of the appearance and properties of cast aluminum versus aluminum from cans.
The issue of shrinkage in cast aluminum and its implications for casting.
Adding copper to improve the casting and machining properties of aluminum.
Practical advice on how to calculate the amount of copper to add for alloying.
Conclusion and a teaser for future casting projects.
Transcripts
all of this is going to die greetings
today we're going to melt the can we've
got a whole bunch of them and some more
I've heard people say cans are a great
source of aluminum and cans are a
terrible source of aluminum and they're
both true
the problem is cans really common you
can get camps I have tons of them myself
I drink a lot of soda but the aluminum
you get from them isn't very good it's
it's got one main problem no silicon and
a couple more problems to sin when you
melt it you get oxidation before it
melts and also there's a plastic liner
inside the cans it stops this super
acidic terrible for you beverage from
eating away the aluminum so half the
weight or so is like plastic not even
aluminum so I'm going to show you how to
melt it to minimize the loss to minimize
the loss of aluminum the alumina will
get caught up in the dross the crud left
behind so we got to get the most amount
of that aluminum off the dross so we can
save as much we also don't want to lose
it oxidation because once it oxidizes
it's gone forever and then once it's
melted later I'll tell you how to make
it work a little bit better as far as
casting and machining the problem with
the metal is that it's fairly pure cans
are fairly pure extruded aluminum like
heat sinks that's fairly pure sheet
aluminum is usually fairly pure and cast
aluminum like this is not it's got some
silicon in it and I don't mean silicon
like the caulk around your windows I
don't mean silica silicon dioxide which
is like glass and quartz and granite and
Flint to an extent I mean silicon
elemental silicon and I got a piece of
it here see it's kind of glassy but it
also looks like chrome like Chrome glass
so pure metallic elemental silicon
that's what it needs in it I'm not going
to put this in there because this was
sent to me by a guy whose name I didn't
ask if I could say on the internet so
I'm not going to but he's nice
and I'm going to use this later with
some other metals to alloy up from some
bronzes but yeah this is what it needs
and you're not going to add this to the
cans well the story is the metal is not
going out silicon in it so it's not
great
don't worry about that later let's say
we get so here's the deal as the can
melt they're going to oxidize before
they form a pool and that's a problem so
the best way to get rid of that it's a
form of cool first and dunk the aluminum
into the pool or that have to happen you
first need a liquid aluminum pool to
begin with so I got this it's just a
bucket a bucket into which I have put a
bunch of aluminum pieces including this
heat sink which is extruded aluminum
this plate of aluminum and I'm going to
melt one of these first to form the pool
maybe the plate and the and the heat
sink quite thick so it's not that
probably in focus it's not going to
oxidize as much so I'm going to end up
with a pool once I get a pool going
I'll start dunking cans into the pool
and as those build up they will build up
the pool so the pool is deeper and
deeper and deeper so I can dump cans
into it that's the plan now one thing to
remember the old plaster sand lining
it's fairly insulating this one is not I
just started it and the outside is
already over 100 degrees so don't touch
it for the crucible still using the
extinguisher there we do that's good
enough
perfect now that's heating up I'll add
do you think and this plate plate
doesn't fit to the whole plate and let
it burn adds more fuel even more fuel
alright
that isn't charcoal it's bark who are
they kidding alright so satisfied that
it is fueled up enough let's let it rip
on low heat that see the aluminum
smelting already that's way easier than
copper take a peek it's already a puddle
you can still sort of see the shape that
he think but it's pretty much tone
alright can time here's how I'm going to
do it I'm going to throw a can in let it
sizzle for half a second make sure all
the liquid gone I'm going to shove it
into the pool with it and watch it melt
fizzle push into the pool and their
hands gone I'm going to try a couple
more cans at a time
fizzle down into the pool little fire
careful at the fire I already see a flaw
in the system this pole is getting hot
off to the hole isn't big enough for
some of these oddly shaped crush cam
just hoping the fire doesn't alert my
neighbors you know I like uncrushed cam
better I think you can plunge them
really fast so fast my plunging stick is
getting ultra hot now the dross problem
all this crud see it's very aluminum me
and I was told if you keep flexing
eventually the aluminum will get thin
enough that the drop will be mostly pure
it won't have a lot of aluminum trapped
in it I'm going to use Morton light salt
it's half sodium fluoride half the
caffeine chloride I think as a flux
let's try adding in one table for one
teaspoon can my glove back on a toasty
in there and mix
I said mix mix that tablespoon
already the drops look slightly less
aluminum II it looks blacker just try
just a little more I got to get
something to hold this room lift here we
go hold the spoon with channellock
that's safe bill [Â __Â ] the crap out of
it and here's the drop it looks more
flaky not so aluminum II I still can't
believe that actually worked
Wow a tip with gold
now let's attempt to pour wow this is
heavy heavy and slightly glowy okay then
attempt to pour aluminium ingot burning
off the nonstick coating in the pan next
to aluminum in get I'm not going to fill
these so that's got a lot duncan it next
we want to get I'm not going to fill
these all the way up because I don't
believe I'm going to use huge chunks
like that and maybe need to use a spoon
as a strainer there we go
Lumina mingott I got struck a drop in it
Oh Oh get out of there jerk quit ruining
my metal
Wow there's so much crud in that there's
no more liquid left but I can see I want
to put it back in here try adding some
more flux see if I can extract just a
little bit more out of there like that
in good I think I'm just ending up with
saltier saltier draw I don't know if I'm
going to get any more aluminum in the
aluminum I get is going to be so flux
but the flux does that make the more
liquidy makes a poor easier more flowy
like turning it from syrup into water
kind of see if they got me a little more
a little more material oh it did check
that out some drop selling there but
we'll live anymore being a little bit
poor in yep there we go
all right I think that's about it so
there you go how to get the maximum a
lot of aluminum out of cam cool
know what I'm going to do although
they're cooling his remember how I put
this ring on the lid well it's metal
that it's expanded so I'm going to
tighten it down just so we bit and it
will form tight onto the lid getting a
little more cracking on the lid so in
the comments that I did something wrong
from pouring the concrete and shredded
more than a couple of things wrong but
thank you for the tip it should be
pretty solidified yeah
there we go
well while those are doing that I'm
going to pour out the drop see what kind
of drops I get ooh
ain't that gross look at that it's all
black and crumbly not metallicky at all
that's a good tip from another guy whose
name I did not ask if I could say on the
internet about tons of fluxing to get
all the crud off make sure we're going
to flowy flows off of the drops and you
just end up dish in the drop and not
losing as much aluminum dump this out
aluminum ingots with burned nonstick
coating on them here's a clean one so
here it is a purified can ingot for
reference here is cast aluminum melted
into ingot form see the difference
I don't but still it's important to keep
them separate so I'm going to mark these
ones with peer and these ones those cast
so I don't mix them up in my pile and
now the aftermath the foundry is totally
fine now that didn't have any problems
at all but I ended up with these a can
ingot this is pure luminol like I said
are fairly pure aluminum and it looks
different from cast aluminum previously
cast aluminum which is right here this
is a piece that I did earlier I think
out of washing machine cast aluminum
parts anyway you'll notice it's quite a
bit less shiny and the surface of the
cast piece kind of kind of dirty it and
really cleaned it up seems to have finer
lines in it as opposed to the can looks
kind of crystalline perhaps another
thing notice the shrinkage cast aluminum
cans aluminum much much more shrinkage
probably hard to see the amount of
shrinkage through a video but this one
sinks in the middle maybe like a
sixteenth of an inch or two this one
thinks a full quarter inch here I'll put
like a
great edge or something across so you
look at that look at that sink and then
that not sink so definitely more
shrinkage with the can now how do you
make it cast better
well the silicon is not really something
that's easy to add so you can add copper
multiple people have told me this you
had like 5 or 10% of copper in with that
but you have to you have to do the cams
first in the ingots to get rid of all
the drawers because you don't know how
much aluminum you're actually going to
get now once you get the pure aluminum
you can weigh it using one of these
nifty things that's really loud alright
let's weigh this 180 some things grams
180 grams that's what it said on say
this 167 grams okay now we want to add
like five to ten percent dish of copper
let's see what the copper ingot weighs
649 that's way too much way way too much
I don't know why I cast this really
really big ingot of nasty gross looking
copper but it's really too big so that
was kind of useless I cannot add this
too can aluminum because this we need to
be added to like thirty of those and I
don't have 30 of those or crucible to
handle it so let's check out the small
one the smaller disc 152 that's still
like that's like the weight of this
small one coppers a lot more dense than
aluminum
so what you can add are these things
little sections of pipe 21 grams so 21
grams if that's 5% of something that
means the total is what 400 grams 700 I
don't know probably four on the ground
Emily yes 400 so if I take this that
will be 5% of a total of 400 grams of
finished product which means 20 grams of
this plus 380 grams of that let's see
how many is 380 grams someone check my
math both of these ish close enough that
we'll put that right around 5 to 10% so
that little amount of copper into this
much molten aluminum will help it Cass
bet
a little bit better help it machine
better it won't cast as nicely as cast
aluminum but it will help it a little
bit more because just pure aluminum I
hear is kind of soft and not great for
machining so there you go that's how you
cast can reduce the amount of loss saves
as much aluminum as possible and improve
the alloy a little bit for machining
with something easy to obtain like
copper pipe two copper pipes everywhere
I hope you enjoyed I want to start
casting actual things here pretty soon
so stay tuned
[Music]
[Music]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
Voir Plus de Vidéos Connexes
The LIE of the Aluminum Can
How Are Aluminium Cans Recycled? | How Do They Do It?
Tentang Aluminium | Unsur Aluminium | Science Story
How Aluminium is made animation | Karthi Explains
GCSE Chemistry - Electrolysis P2 - Electrolysis to Extract Metals From Oxides - Explained #41
How to Make a Supercapacitor with Aluminum Foil (Step by Step, Each Detail) 500 F
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)