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Casting aluminum engine blocks from recycled cans

I am interested in the trade off between collecting and recycling aluminum cans vs purchasing A356 ingot for casting engine blocks. Any references, please.

Bo Engleby
Metallurgical engineer, diesel engine R&D - Ayden, North Carolina, USA
March 16, 2011

A356 is an alloy containing substantial silicon and magnesium, specifically designed for casting. Lids are pressed from 5182-H48 and lids from 3104-H19, neither of which contain enough silicon to make a decent casting.

Gather up cans, sell them for scrap, and pay to have engine blocks cast from the proper alloy.

This is definitely not a backyard project.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
March 20, 2011

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