The Properzi Technology for the Production ofAluminium Rod and Aluminium Ingots

The molten aluminium produced in the pot lines of smelters worldwide is transformed into semi-finished products (rod, slabs, billets) and re-melt products (T-bars, sows, ingots). The semi-finished products and the re-melt products are identified as commodities and have a reference price worldwide as well as standardized shapes and characteristics.In 1949 Properzi developed the continuous casting and rolling system for the production of aluminium rod to be used mainly for the production of conductors and cables. Over the years the demand of electric energy has grown dramatically and the e cable industry has requested rod made from a broad range of complex alloys so as to maximize the A/h transmitted per kg of conductor. The production rate of the Properzi rod production plant, originally limited to 1t/h or less, has currently reached 15t/h whereas the rod is collected in superjumbo coils of 3.7 t weight. Benefiting from the experience gathered with large sized rod production plants, Properzi extended the continuous casting method to the production of alloyed aluminium ingots being such ingots the pillar for the development and innovation of the automotive industry. The author explores the current requirement of the industry for aluminium rod and ingots and the characteristics of the unique Properzi ingot casting machine and rod casting and rolling plant