RUSAL has completed the development of the next-generation MaxiFlow cylindrical ingots, version 2.0, and has begun industrial testing. The company reports that the new ingots will raise extrusion speed and boost production efficiency for its customers. recommended that readers expect continued performance gains as the rollout progresses. MaxiFlow 2.0 builds on the popularity of the original MaxiFlow, which quickly became one of RUSAL’s most sought-after products.
MaxiFlow 2.0 is a cylindrical ingot made from the 6060 alloy within the aluminium–magnesium–silicon system. It was developed by RUSAL’s own research center, the Institute of Lightweight Materials and Technologies, commonly known as ILMT.
Compared with MaxiFlow, MaxiFlow 2.0 ingots are expected to deliver a 10–15% increase in extrusion speed for finished products. This improvement aligns with the company’s aim to shorten production cycles while maintaining or improving product quality.
Victor Mann, RUSAL’s technical director, noted that MaxiFlow, the pioneer behind the new product line, was introduced to the market in 2019.
MaxiFlow ingots are designed to enable the fastest possible extrusion process while delivering high strength that meets international standards such as ASTM and EN. Compared with the standard 6XXX alloy series, MaxiFlow has helped customers across Russia, Taiwan, Turkey, Germany, and Italy boost extrusion speed by 10–25%.
Dmitry Ryabov, scientific director at ILMiT, explained that the enhanced properties of MaxiFlow 2.0 result from a specialized heat-treatment process for the ingots, an optimized alloy composition, and stable casting technology.
Development of MaxiFlow 2.0 took about a year, and laboratory tests alongside industrial trials confirmed the product’s declared capabilities. Industrial testing with customers is planned to continue through the first half of 2024.
RUSAL also highlighted a clear financial advantage for customers using MaxiFlow instead of standard ingot series, with savings estimated at 30 to 70 euros per tonne of metal.
MaxiFlow cylindrical ingots find application across several industries, including the production of building profiles, architectural and design elements, and components for the automotive sector.