RUSAL has completed the development of the new generation MaxiFlow cylindrical ingots (version 2.0) and started their industrial testing. RUSAL’s press service reported that the product will allow the company to increase the extrusion speed and production efficiency of its customers.
The company states that the first version, MaxiFlow, has become one of RUSAL’s most popular products.
MaxiFlow 2.0 is a cylindrical ingot consisting of the 6060 alloy of the aluminium-magnesium-silicon system and was developed by RUSAL’s own research center, the Institute of Lightweight Materials and Technologies (ILMT).
The company stated that compared to MaxiFlow, MaxiFlow 2.0 ingots will allow a 10-15% increase in extrusion speed when producing final products.
RUSAL technical director Victor Mann said that MaxiFlow, the pioneer of the new product, was introduced to the market by RUSAL in 2019.
“MaxiFlow ingots combine the fastest possible extrusion process with high strength that meets international standards such as ASTM and EN. Compared to the standard series of 6XXX series alloys, MaxiFlow has enabled RUSAL customers worldwide, from Russia and Taiwan to Turkey, Germany and Italy, to increase extrusion speed by 10-25%,” explained Victor Mann.
According to ILMiT scientific director Dmitry Ryabov, the advanced properties of MaxiFlow 2.0 are achieved through a special heat treatment technology for ingots, as well as optimization of the chemical composition of the alloy and stable ingot casting technology.
“The development of MaxiFlow 2.0 took about a year; the product confirmed its declared properties during laboratory tests and industrial tests. Industrial tests with customers will continue in the first half of 2024,” he said.
The company emphasized that the financial benefit to customers of using MaxiFlow compared to the standard ingot series ranges from 30 to 70 euros per tonne of metal.
MaxiFlow cylindrical ingots are used in the production of building profiles, design elements for architecture and design, and components for the automotive industry.