The process of scrap aluminum recycling primarily involves remelting it in a furnace, followed by casting, and then producing aluminum ingots. Alternatively, it can be directly converted by utilizing a small amount of scrap aluminum to adjust the alloy composition, which is typically done in an electric furnace. The furnace has two chambers: a preheating chamber and a melting chamber.

Refining is a crucial step in the recycling of scrap aluminum, involving the addition of flux to cover the surface of the molten aluminum or alloy to prevent oxidation by air, and introducing a liquid for stirring to separate impurities and hydrogen. Gases requiring refining include chlorine, nitrogen, hydrogen, and other mixed gases.

During scrap aluminum recycling, classification is particularly important. Aluminum can be effectively recycled based on its different characteristics. Aluminum alloys with different compositions have varying densities, allowing for separation by heavy media. Heavy media separation is considered an effective method, achieving finished products with lower initial investment and operating costs. Generally, the densities of aluminum-magnesium alloys and aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloys are lower than those of aluminum-zinc, aluminum-copper, and aluminum-silicon alloys.