The European Green Deal poses a two-pronged challenge for the automotive industry: migrating to solutions based in light structures, requiring light weight concepts and light materials, while at the same time avoiding dependence towards the importation of these advanced materials.

Aluminium is a lightweight and cost-effective material, that can successfully cover the requirements of many structural applications, however production of Aluminium alloys requires consumption of bauxite and other Critical Raw Materials (CRM), such as Si and Mg. Aluminium alloys are a fully recyclable material, but scraps are normally contaminated and their use is related to an increment of impurities, tramp element and undesired inclusions. Traditionally, the use of secondary alloys has been restricted to low performance applications.

The present work analyzes the effect of well-calibrated micro additions of chemical elements like Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn on foundry Aluminium alloys belonging to EN AB 43500 family with 2 different levels of Mg content.

The impact of those additions was analyzed by studying their effects on melt fluidity and microstructure and mechanical properties of the cast material. The fluidity of the melt was assessed with an own developed mould and technique. The remaining melt was cast in an open permanent mould. The microstructure of the cast material was examined and tensile test specimens were extracted. Tensile tests were carried out, obtaining the values of yield strength (σys), ultimate tensile strength (σUTS), and elongation at fracture (At)

The results obtained suggest that the presence of Zn has an important impact on melt fluidity. The rest of the additions seem to not significantly affect any of the alloy properties considered on this study.