Operational verification of reuse of returnable zinc alloy ZP0410 in the production of thick-walled castings

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, more profound implementation of circular economy elements in individual production processes is ever more emphasized. In an effort to reduce ZL0410 primary raw material consumption to produce castings made of the ZP0410 alloy, GD Druckguss s.r.o. engaged in the development of a recycling technology for returnable materials based on ZP0410. A long-term series of test melts focused on monitoring of the pre-melting process was carried out from 2019 to 2021. Samples were taken regularly from individual technological nodes of thick-walled casting production. The samples of input materials such as the primary alloy ZL0410, returnable material ZP0410, and also solidified melted mass of ZP0410 and ZP0410 castings, were analysed using optical emission spectrometry in the Q4 TASMAN system to determine compliance with chemical composition according to ČSN EN 12844. The standard reference material SRM 630 was used in the developed measurement methodology for interim checks and for corrections of the system settings. It was demonstrated that the chosen ratio of raw material (ZL0410) and returnable material (ZP0410) of 2:1 (wt.) has no negative impact on compliance with chemical composition of castings made of the ZP0410 alloy according to ČSN EN 12844.