The Dark Side of Light Metals: Energy Wasted and Unnecessary CO2 Emitted as a Consequence of the Re-Oxidation of Molten Aluminium

Abstract

Aluminium is often referred to (quaintly, though sometimes disparagingly) as “solidified electricity”. By this, it is implied that we need to be cautious about aluminium and question its use since it is a very energy-intensive engineering material. Fortunately, solid aluminium and its alloys have also had good press, being highly versatile and durable in service and being readily recyclable (at about 5% of the energy required to produce the primary Al initially). However, the ground is shifting again and with the present growing focus on embodied energy and carbon footprints, aluminium’s processing and use is being revisited.