New, clean, uncoated aluminium clippings and solids of two or more alloys, min. 0.015″ thick. Low-dross factory scrap favoured by smelters, billeters and sheet producers.

ISRI Grade Name: Tough

ISRI Description and Specification

Tough is defined as new, clean, uncoated, unpainted aluminium scrap consisting of two or more alloys in solid or clipping form. The minimum thickness requirement is 0.015 inches (approximately 0.38 mm), which excludes foil and very thin sheet material. The “new” classification means that Tough scrap originates from manufacturing operations as factory offcuts, skeleton scrap, press clippings, or trim rather than from post-consumer or post-industrial use. The material must not include wire, excessive dirt, small punchings (under 0.015″ thick), or non-aluminium contamination. As with other clean new grades, the absence of coating or paint is critical — Tough is a clean, uncoated scrap, distinguishing it from coated grades like Taboo.

Who Uses Tough Scrap

Secondary smelters, extrusion billeters, and aluminium sheet producers who require clean, new-generation scrap as a charging component use Tough. Because it is new and uncoated, Tough carries lower dross generation and organic contamination risks than old scrap grades. Manufacturing facilities in the automotive stamping, appliance, packaging, and construction sectors generate Tough scrap as a byproduct of their production operations. In India, aluminium sheet and foil rolling mills, packaging film manufacturers, and automotive body part pressers are typical generators. Secondary ingot producers who supply casting alloy manufacturers, and extrusion billet producers who blend new scrap into their melt mix, are the principal buyers.