BS EN 1676:2020 covers the grades, classifications, designations, conditions, properties and identification marks of alloyed aluminium ingots intended for remelting. Last published in 2010, the standard has now been updated. This blog post explains what’s in the standard and what’s new.
BS EN 1676:2020 Aluminium and aluminium alloys – Alloyed ingots for remelting – Specificationsdefines requirements for grades of alloyed aluminium ingots intended for remelting. It specifies the classifications and designations that apply to these grades, the conditions in which they are produced, their properties and the marks by which they are identified. This standard was first published in 1997 and then revised in 2010. The 2020 standard is its second revision.
The standard first sets out its scope, normative references and terms and definitions. It then moves on to outline ordering information and to the biggest section in the standard (Section 5) which is on requirements. This covers production and manufacturing processes and quality control before tackling chemical composition. This clause is the core of the standard and features a six-page long table (Table 1) on chemical composition of ingots that has been updated – see details below.
The subsequent clauses deal with freedom from defects and the form of products. Section 6 then deals with product inspection and testing methods including chemical analysis, chemical composition limits and rounding rules for determination of compliance.
The concluding sections deal with inspection documents, marking of products and packaging, and delivery documents. The final section covers dealing with complaints.
Updating the standard
BS EN 1676:2020 was revised to bring it up-to-date with current methodologies. The standard is prepared by a European technical committee, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR, the French national standards body. In fact, the revision was due to be published in October 2020, but has published in April 2020 instead – six months early.
The revisions are confined to Table 1 of the standard which details the chemical composition of ingots. In comparison with BS EN 1676:2010, alloys EN AB-21200 [EN AB-Al Cu4MnMg] and EN AB-43100 [EN AB-Al Si10Mg(b)] were deleted, and six new alloys were added, namely: EN AB-42300 [EN AB-Al Si7(Mg)], EN AB-42400 [EN AB-Al Si7MnMg], EN AB-44600 [EN AB-Al Si10Mn], EN AB-45600 [EN AB-Al Si7Cu1Mg0,6], EN AB-47200 [EN AB-Al Si12(Fe)] and EN AB-48200 [EN AB-Al Si15Cu3MgFe].
In addition, the maximum limit for lead has been reduced to 0,29 % and the chemical composition limits of the alloys EN AB-43000 [EN AB-Al Si10Mg], EN AB-43300 [EN AB-Al Si9Mg] and EN AB-51300 [EN AB-AlMg5] have been modified. Finally, Table 1’s footnotes have been added to and modified.
Now that the standard is up to date, it’s hoped that its use continues to create a level playing field between castors, producers and designers and at the end of the day it helps all concerned to produce better products in which end-users can have a lot of confidence.
