1、 Aluminum is . Strong and lightweight Repeatedly recyclable for environmental sustainability Resistant to corrosion Good conductor of heat and electricity Tough and non-brittle, even in very low temperatures Easily worked and formed, can even be rolled to very thin foil Safe for use in contact with
2、a wide range of foodstuffs Highly reflective of radiant heat Highly elastic (an advantage in structures under shock loads) Receptive to coatings Attractive in appearance The Aluminum Vision is intended to stimulate a wide variety of Rs . ,!-,.-E ability to be repeatedly recycled with no loss of qual
3、ity and only 5% of the energy and emissions of original production. -zdz; -1 3- 1 an increasingly ecology-minded public. I. for retaining this “banked energy and should be promoted vigorously Recycling, in essence, is tapping into a convenient “unrban mine99 of material that enables reuse while savi
4、ng energy and reducing environmental impacts. 0 Recovery rates will increase with improved technologies. Advanced technologies capable of sorting cast from wrought aluminum and separating alloys will boost recovery of containers, automobiles, and building materials and will extend recovery operation
5、s to additional products. Imports of foreign scrap and primary aluminum may be needed. Given the limited availability of domestic scrap and the long product life cycles of aluminum in construction and autos, North American producers may increase imports of foreign scrap and primary aluminum. 0 The n
6、eed for primary aluminum will endure. The domestic supply of recycled aluminum will be insufficient to satisfy the growing need for aluminum, requiring new primary production or increased imports. Changing dynamics in regional markets are affecting primary production centers. Periods of volatility i
7、n electricity availability and cost could influence the geographic distribution of smelting operations. For the near to mid term, operations will continue to be attracted to locations that offer stable, affordable electricity, whether it is provided by low-sulfur-cod, advanced hydropower, or alterna
8、tive power-generating options. Technology advances could preserve primary production capacity. Global economic factors will make it highly unlikely that any new Hall-Heroult smelters will be built in the United States. Continued operation of existing facilities will depend on the availability of rel
9、iable, competitively priced electricity and process optimization of existing reduction cells. Facility upgrades such as installation of advanced anodes and cathodes could play a key role in this optimization process. Revolutionary new technologies could re-stimulate domestic production capacity in N
10、orth America. MAN U FACTURI N G Technology-driven productivity gains will be a powerful source of growth. Application of new technologies to the manufacturing process will optimize processes as never before. Aiuminum products of the future will offer better quality, greater reliability, and a consis
11、tently higher level of engineering performance. Advances in casting and extrusion technologies will push aluminum ahead in automotive and other applications. Advanced casting and extrusion technologies have attracted the interest of the research community. Developments in these areas, such as wide-s
12、heet casting technology, new or enhanced extrusion capabilities, and other innovations, will increase aluminum use in automotive applications. Producers will enter agreements with automakers and other customer industries to directly supply customized aluminum components. “Smart” fabrication systems
13、wili integrate power, sensors, and controls. Such systems eventually will control the manufacturing process from beginning to end, continuously monitoring and adjusting process conditions and optimizing system efficiency. Technology innovations will enable design and production of aluminum with spec
14、ial properties. Advances in manufacturing technologies will make it possible to build special capabilities into aluminum products, uniquely tailoring the material to meet specified needs. Examples include specific micro-structural textures in sheet products and unique profile cross-sections in extru
15、sions. Nano-technology will create “super” materiais. Manufacturing of new materials at the molecular level will enable aluminum producers to create innovative, high- performance materials for highly specialized use in transportation, computers, energy, and communications. Nano-technology goods and
16、services will be first introduced to industries in which users place a premium on new or improved performance, such as the aerospace industry. Smart materiais wiii be in demand for high-performance applications. New materials for construction and other uses will be able to give warnings when they de
17、tect excessive stress. For instance, materials in bridges or ofice buildings could change color before conditions become unsafe. Automobile parts could give a similar warning when approaching the point of breakdown. - ENERGY Periods of volatile electricity availability will challenge primary aluminu
18、m producers. Over the longer term, however, electricity supply should remain relatively stable. Long-term industriai electricity prices wiii be reasonably stable. As shown in Figure 7, electricity prices for the industrial sector are expected to decline 0.6 percent nationwide over the period 1999-20
19、20, with some regional variation. They are projected to increase by 0.3 percent in the Northwest Power Pool and to fall by 0.5 percent in the East Central Area Reliability (ECAR) Council. On average, electricity prices will drop from 2001 until approximately 2008, hold steady until about 2015, and b
20、egin rising through 2020. Electricity prices will be volatile during Figure 7 Electricity Price Projections for Industry . ._. . 1999 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 restructuring. Although restructuring is expected to lower long-term electricity prices, price volatility is likely over the next five to sev
21、en years. Electricity prices will increase in some parts of the country and decrease in others-a result of regional differences in demand, natural gas prices, transmission capacity, and other market conditions.* New electrical power capacity will be built. The United States will need to build betwee
22、n 1,300 and 1,900 new power plants by 2020. Currently, large amounts of new generating capacity are slated for installation around the country between 2001 and 2004. However, a geographic mismatch exists between where energy will be generated and needed. Environmental issues will exert a major impac
23、t on the availability and cost of electricity. Risk-reduction strategies will be popular. Some firms are already planning for a radically altered future by building their own power plants and switching their focus from basic aluminum to higher-tech products. Aluminum producers will need to work with
24、 end-users seeking long-term contracts and other financial instruments to reduce their exposure to the volatility of electricity supply. Renewable resources will make a contribution. Alternative distributed energy resources (wind, solar, and other) will offer new opportunities for electricity in the
25、 2020 time frame. . HUMAN RESOURCES Y - I. . .,. I The energy-intensive smelting process converts electrical energy into a usable and stable material: in essence, aluminum is an “energy bank.” Aluminums amazing recyclability ensures that deposits made to this bank will preserve value. While more ene
26、rgy-efficient smelting technologies are being developed, the energy put into aluminum production remains intact in the recycling loop. The industry will cut smelting energy use to 11 kWh/kg or less by 2020 and achieve additional energy targets set by existing and future industry roadmaps. Technology
27、 advances in cell design and materials such as non-consumable anodes will conserve resources, reduce emissions, and eliminate disposal issues. While technology development is underway to cut energy use in primary production, aluminum will continue to reduce fuel use by an average of 5-8 percent for
28、every 10-percent reduction in the weight of todays vehicles. By 2050, the industry will reduce its energy consumption until it eliminates any energy disadvantage in competing with other materials on a full life-cycle basis. At that point, far more efficient smelting technology will have replaced the
29、 Hall-Heroult process. TECH NO LOGY By employing some of the best talent in all of manufacturing, the aluminum industry will pioneer new technologies for enhancing aluminums unique properties to meet customer needs. Material engineering will require advanced understanding of microstructures and the
30、creation of extensive technical databases for predicting the properties that can be achieved in various alloys and composites. The industry will actively build such databases through corporate efforts or through public-private R&D partnerships in conjunction with universities and national laboratori
31、es. In addition to its own technology developments, the aluminum industry will look to other process industries for solutions to some of its key technical issues. Advancements in modeling techniques, sophisticated control systems, and materials treatment and handling may be tailored to improve alumi
32、num processing and product design. State-of-the-art design techniques and processing technologies will help the aluminum industry stay ahead of the curve with regard to emerging technical requirements and markets. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH All , I Much of aluminums success in the global markets of tomo
33、rrow will depend on the industrys ability to effectively communicate aluminums life-cycle value. It must clearly imprint aluminum as “sustainable” in the minds of investors, users, employees, politicians, regulators, and other stakeholders. Toward this end, the industry will launch an ambitious comm
34、unications campaign that reaches out to schools (K-l2), broadcast media, associations, non-government organizations, and other groups. To support the effective communication of consistent messages, the industry may maintain authoritative and easily accessible information products and databases and g
35、enerate engaging website tutorials. HUMAN CAPITAL The ambitious technical progress envisioned for the aluminum industry will require a highly educated and skilled work force. Educational initiatives will stimulate early interest by talented graduates, and their achievements will help build the indus
36、trys reputation as a clean, innovative, and high-tech industry. To build a pool of qualified candidates, the industry will join with government, professional associations, universities, and others to launch a variety of PRODUCTS AND MARKETS Deliver superior value in engineered material solutions tai
37、lored to customer needs. S U s TAI N AB I LI TY Exceed the recycling rate of all other materials and establish the industry as a leader in sustainability. Make a positive net impact on the environment over the life cycle of aluminum products. Produce zero net emissions of greenhouse gases on a life-
38、 cycle basis. ENERGY AND RESOURCES Meet or exceed a target of 11 kWh/kg for smelting and achieve additional energy targets established by industry roadmaps. Generate a net energy advantage over the life cycle of aluminum products. TECH NO LOGY Achieve universal recognition as a technology leader app
39、lying cutting-edge technology to create innovative products, improve the environment, and contribute to economic growth. Aggressively seek out technical innovations in other industries and apply them to improve aluminum processing and products. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Achieve broad public understandi
40、ng and acceptance of the life-cycle value of aluminum, its key role in technology innovation, and its essential contributions to modern lifestyles. Fortie academic programs to develop and attract top science, engineering, and business graduates. HUMAN CAPITAL Employ one of the most highly skilled an
41、d best educated work forces in the process industries-one that reflects the populations cultural and linguistic diversity. Exceed the health and safety records of all similar processing industries. educational initiatives. Examples of such initiatives might include curriculum development, mentoring,
42、 and grant programs to encourage studies in advanced metallurgy and related fields. The industry will similarly reach out to skilled workers of diverse cultural backgrounds to engage their interest in working with this progressive industry. The industry will aggressively facilitate the worldwide adoption of environmental, safety, and health best practices, building the best safety record of any processing industry.
