Overview
ISO 115:2003 - Unalloyed aluminium ingots for remelting - Classification and composition - defines the requirements, classification and designation of unalloyed aluminium ingots intended for remelting. The standard covers production and quality-control responsibilities, chemical composition limits for common grades, sampling and test methods, marking, packaging and delivery documentation. It is essential for aluminium refiners, remelters, foundries and purchasers specifying ingots for further processing or casting.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and order information: Specifies what must be included in an order (grade designation, form, mass/dimensions, quantity, certificates and any special requirements).
- Grades and designations: Defines two systems:
- High-purity grades designated as “Al” followed by percentage purity (e.g., Al 99,995, Al 99,98). Electrotechnical grades use an “E” suffix (e.g., Al 99,7E).
- General grades without specified minimum Al using the PXXXXA format (e.g., P1020A), where digits encode Si and Fe limits.
- Chemical composition: Tables provide maximum mass-percent limits for main impurities (Si, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, Zn, Ti, Ga, V, etc.). Compositions are maximum values and results must be rounded to the same decimal places as the table entries.
- Production and quality control: Manufacturer discretion for processes unless otherwise ordered; supplier responsible for inspections and tests before shipment. Testing is traceable to international reference materials.
- Sampling and analysis: Requires representative melt sampling (at least two samples per melt) and averaging procedures; analytical methods at supplier’s discretion but internationally acceptable. Trace impurities (e.g., Cd, Hg, Pb, As) may have special test frequency requirements.
- Contamination & safety: Ingots must be free from asbestos, hazardous materials and show no increased radioactivity. Purchaser must dry/preheat ingots before remelting to avoid explosions from trapped water.
- Marking, packaging & delivery: Identification of manufacturer, grade, melt number and unit mass; bundles should be strapped and usually correspond to one melt. Delivery documents must include analysis results and melt numbers.
Applications and who uses it
- Aluminium remelters and recyclers specifying ingots for melting.
- Foundries and casting houses requiring consistent chemistry for downstream alloys or electrical applications.
- Metal suppliers and procurement teams creating purchase orders and conformity certificates.
- Quality managers and laboratories conducting chemical analysis and traceability for ingot batches.
Related standards
- ISO 9001 (quality assurance practices referenced for sampling and QA procedures)
- ISO/TC 79 (technical committee on light metals referenced in the foreword)
ISO 115:2003 provides a practical framework for specifying, testing and documenting unalloyed aluminium ingots for remelting, helping ensure chemical consistency, safety in handling and clarity of supply-chain documentation.