ABSTRACT
Figure 3.1 illustrates the life cycle in which raw materials are processed to generate consumer products and then disposed of after the life of those products ends (Henstock 1996). In the case of aluminum, the raw materials are the bauxite ore from which the metal is generated, the petroleum coke used to produce anodes and cathodes, and the other chemicals used in the Bayer process and the electrolytic cells. Primary production is the process by which aluminum is extracted from the bauxite, electrowon from a molten-salt electrolyte, refined and cast into ingot or billet, and shipped to customers. The Engineering materials generated by this process include pure aluminum and the alloys described in Chapter 2. Manufacturing is the process by which the ingot or billet is transformed into consumer products; as mentioned in Chapter 2, most aluminum placed in service is classified either as cast or wrought product. The types of products made from aluminum, and their usage patterns, have significant impacts on recycling technology and will be discussed in greater detail.
