Raw Metals Alloying Metals for Aluminum
The elements that turn aluminum into an alloy. Silicon for castability, magnesium for strength, copper for hardness, zinc for the high-strength series, manganese and chromium for grain structure and corrosion behavior. Some go straight into the melt as metal; others reach it through master alloys and tablets. Either way, it starts with the raw metal at a known purity.
Chelora Chemicals is a raw metals supplier and sourcing partner serving aluminum foundries, casthouses and alloy producers across the United States. We supply magnesium, silicon, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium with a batch analysis, and the origin and tariff position confirmed at quotation.
- Magnesium
- Ingot · 99.8% / 99.9% Mg
- Silicon
- Lump · 553 / 441 / 3303 grades
- Copper
- Cathode · Grade A
- Zinc
- Ingot · SHG 99.995%
- Manganese
- Electrolytic flake · 99.7%
- Chromium
- Metal lump · per grade
- Used for
- Direct additions · master alloys · tablets
- Origin & tariff
- Confirmed at quotation
- Documentation
- Batch analysis
Note: origin is part of the specification. Some of these metals from certain countries carry US antidumping or Section 232 duties. We state origin and duty in the quote.
How each metal reaches the melt
Some elements go straight in; others go in via master alloys or tablets made from the same raw metal.
Why it matters: the purity of the raw metal sets the impurity floor of the alloy. Iron in silicon metal, lead in zinc and residuals in copper all carry through to the casting
What these metals do in aluminum
Each of the six does a distinct job. Silicon improves fluidity and castability and is the basis of most casting alloys. Magnesium adds strength and, with silicon, makes alloys heat-treatable. Copper adds strength and hardness. Zinc, with magnesium, is the basis of the highest-strength series. Manganese and chromium control grain structure, offset the effect of iron and improve corrosion behavior.
How each gets in depends on its melting point and reactivity. Magnesium and zinc go straight into the melt as metal. Silicon goes in as lump silicon metal, and copper as cathode or via an aluminum-copper hardener. Manganese and chromium melt far higher and are usually added through master alloys or alloying tablets, which are themselves made from these raw metals.
What to tell us when you order
- The metal and grade. For example 99.9% Mg, 553 silicon, SHG zinc or 99.7% electrolytic manganese.
- The form. Ingot, lump, cathode or flake, and any size requirement for your charging practice.
- Impurity limits. Iron, lead and other residuals your alloy specification cannot tolerate.
- Origin requirements. Some origins carry US antidumping or Section 232 duties.
Handling character
Every metal added to molten aluminum must be dry and preheated. Moisture on a cold ingot is a steam explosion risk. Details in the Safety section.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Magnesium ingot | 99.8% or 99.9% Mg |
| Silicon metal | 553 · 441 · 3303 (Fe/Al/Ca limits) |
| Copper cathode | Grade A |
| Zinc ingot | SHG, 99.995% Zn |
| Electrolytic manganese | 99.7% Mn flake |
| Chromium metal | Aluminothermic or electrolytic grade |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Magnesium | CAS 7439-95-4 · melts 650 °C |
| Silicon | CAS 7440-21-3 · melts 1,414 °C |
| Copper | CAS 7440-50-8 · melts 1,085 °C |
| Zinc | CAS 7440-66-6 · melts 420 °C |
| Manganese | CAS 7439-96-5 · melts 1,246 °C |
| Chromium | CAS 7440-47-3 · melts 1,907 °C |
| Aluminum, for reference | Melts 660 °C |
Melting points are rounded reference values for the pure elements. Grade, purity, impurity limits and form are set per order and stated on the producer's analysis. Treat the table as orientation, not as a specification.
Where these metals go to work
Alloy production in foundries, casthouses, remelters and additive producers.
Foundry casting alloys
Silicon, copper and magnesium additions to aluminum-silicon casting alloys.
- 553 or 441 silicon
- Mg ingot plunged
- Batch analysis
Wrought casthouses
Magnesium, manganese, chromium, copper and zinc for 2xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx alloys.
- Grade per impurity limit
- Consistent lot chemistry
- Origin confirmed
Secondary & remelt
Correcting scrap-based melts up to specification with direct metal additions.
- Ingot and lump forms
- Clear purity grades
- Trial lots available
Master alloy & tablet producers
Raw metal feedstock for aluminum master alloys and compacted alloying tablets.
- Manganese flake
- Chromium metal
- Copper cathode
Origin & tariff coordination
Certain origins of these metals carry US antidumping or Section 232 duties; we confirm the position at quotation.
- Origin stated per lot
- Duty position in the quote
- Broker coordination
Scheduled supply
Alloy producers consume these metals continuously, so contracted volume with call-off matters.
- Annual contracts with call-off
- Price basis agreed up front
- Second source held in reserve
Delivered to US plants and ports
We ship raw metals to nominated delivery points across the United States. The regions below are destinations we serve — Chelora Chemicals is a sourcing and supply partner, not a US manufacturer, and does not hold US stock.
Gulf Coast
The largest US chemical cluster, and the usual entry point for bulk consignments.
- Houston & Galveston, TX
- New Orleans & Baton Rouge, LA
- Mobile, AL
Northeast
Container and bulk delivery into the mid-Atlantic and New England manufacturing belt.
- Newark & Elizabeth, NJ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
Southeast
Port-side delivery for the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida processing plants.
- Savannah, GA
- Charleston, SC
- Jacksonville, FL & Norfolk, VA
Midwest & Great Lakes
Inland rail and truck forwarding from the nearest coastal port to the industrial Midwest.
- Chicago, IL
- Detroit, MI
- Cleveland & Columbus, OH
West Coast
Pacific routing for West Coast processors and formulators.
- Los Angeles & Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Seattle & Tacoma, WA
Southwest & Mountain
Inland delivery to interior states, forwarded from the Gulf or Pacific gateway.
- Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Denver, CO
Importing into the United States
These metals are chemical elements listed on the TSCA Inventory, and under TSCA section 13 the importer of record, or its authorized agent, must certify to US Customs and Border Protection that each shipment complies with TSCA or is not subject to it; we agree in writing who files that certification. More important commercially, some of these metals from certain origins are subject to US antidumping or countervailing duty orders, and copper and aluminum products can fall within the Section 232 program, most recently amended effective April 6, 2026. We confirm origin, HTS classification and duty position in the quotation rather than assume them.
Which party carries that duty follows the Incoterm. On FOB, CFR or CIF terms it is usually the US buyer; on DDP terms it can be the seller or its agent. Safety data sheets and labels are supplied to OSHA's updated Hazard Communication Standard, and the transport transport documentation is prepared before booking.
| Item | How it works |
|---|---|
| Delivery points | Any nominated US plant, terminal or port of discharge |
| Incoterms quoted | FOB · CFR · CIF · DDP |
| Importer of record | Agreed in writing before the first shipment |
| TSCA certification | Section 13 positive certification filed at entry |
| Documentation | Batch COA, SDS, packing list, certificate of origin |
| Pack formats | Bundled ingot, bagged lump and flake, strapped cathode |
Note: regional coverage describes where we deliver, not where we hold inventory. Lead time depends on producer scheduling and ocean transit to your nominated US port — we confirm both in the quotation.
How we supply raw metals
Chelora Chemicals is a raw metals supplier and sourcing partner, not a producer. We place your order with qualified producers whose grade, form and origin fit your alloy and your duty position.
With these metals the purity grade is only half the specification. Impurities — iron in silicon, lead and cadmium in zinc, residuals in copper — carry straight into your alloy, so we match the grade to the limits your alloy specification sets.
The other half is origin. The same metal can carry very different US duties depending on where it was produced. We state the origin and the duty position in the quote, so the price you compare is the landed price.
- Six alloying metals from one desk. Magnesium, silicon, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium.
- Grade matched to your impurity limits. Not just the headline purity.
- Origin and duty stated in the quote. Antidumping and Section 232 positions checked.
- Batch analysis with every lot. Purity and the impurities that matter to you.
- Form to suit your charging. Ingot, lump, cathode or flake.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
Ingot, lump, cathode or flake
Each metal in its standard trade form, with full documentation.
Strapped ingot bundles
Magnesium and zinc ingots strapped in bundles for forklift handling.
Lump in FIBCs
Silicon metal and chromium lump in bulk bags.
Flake in drums
Electrolytic manganese flake in sealed drums.
Strapped cathode
Copper cathode in strapped bundles.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to.
Scheduled deliveries
Annual volume released against your production schedule.
Solid metal going into molten metal
In massive form these metals are stable solids. The hazard is at the furnace: moisture on any metal added to a melt can cause a violent steam explosion. Magnesium deserves particular care — it burns intensely once ignited and must not be fought with water — and fines or powders of several of these metals can be flammable. The summary below is orientation only; the safety data sheet for each metal is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H₂OMoist or cold metal added to molten aluminum: risk of violent steam explosion.MgMagnesium burns intensely; never use water on a magnesium fire.FinesTurnings, granules and powders may be flammable; classified separately.PELEach element carries its own workplace exposure limits.SDSPer-metal SDS supplied with every lot.
The foundry rule that matters most. Water and molten aluminum must never meet. Metals shipped by sea can arrive cold and pick up condensation in a warm shop: store them dry, let them reach shop temperature and preheat every addition. Keep a Class D extinguishing agent, not water, where magnesium is handled.
Storage
Store indoors in a dry area, off the floor, segregated by metal. Keep magnesium away from water, acids and oxidizers, and away from ignition sources. Keep manganese flake and other fine forms sealed. Avoid moving cold metal straight into a warm, humid shop where it will sweat.
Handling
Preheat ingot, lump and cathode before adding them to the melt, and add with dry tools. Plunge magnesium below the surface rather than dropping it on top. Wear a face shield, heat-resistant gloves and protective clothing. Control dust and fines. Follow each metal's SDS and your own foundry safety program.
Transport
Massive ingot, lump and cathode generally ship as non-dangerous goods. Fine forms are classified on their own properties — magnesium turnings, granules and powders, for example, are regulated as flammable solids. We confirm and document the classification for each metal, form and destination before booking.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Alloy family, melt temperature, application method and the grade chemistry confirmed against your process before the order is placed.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS, TSCA position and transport classification checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
Why some metals need a carrier
Aluminum melts at about 660 °C, and most melts are held not far above that. Magnesium melts at about 650 °C and zinc at about 420 °C, so both go straight in as metal, magnesium plunged under the surface to limit oxidation. Copper and silicon melt far higher but dissolve readily into molten aluminum, which is why copper cathode and lump silicon metal are added directly in many shops.
Manganese, at about 1,246 °C, and chromium, at about 1,907 °C, are a different matter. Added as lumps, they dissolve slowly and recover poorly, so they usually reach the melt through a carrier: an aluminum master alloy, or a compacted alloying tablet with flux. Those carriers are made from the same electrolytic manganese and chromium metal sold here.
For the buyer, that means two routes for the same element. Buy the raw metal if you add it directly or make your own additives; buy the master alloy or tablet if you want the element ready to dissolve. We supply both and will tell you which suits your practice.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Metals | Mg · Si · Cu · Zn · Mn · Cr |
|---|---|
| Direct additions | Mg, Zn, Si, Cu |
| Usually via a carrier | Mn, Cr |
| Key grades | 99.9% Mg · 553 Si · SHG Zn · 99.7% Mn |
| Origin | Stated per lot |
| US duties | Confirmed at quotation |
Related foundry & alloying products
Alloying inputs and melt-treatment products supplied from the same desk.
Raw alloying metals, answered
Which raw metals do you supply for aluminum alloying?
What grades are available?
What do the silicon metal grade numbers mean?
Which metals can be added directly to molten aluminum?
Why does origin matter?
Do you also supply master alloys and alloying tablets?
How should magnesium be handled?
Are these metals dangerous goods?
What safety precautions apply at the furnace?
Do you produce these metals?
Get a quote on raw metals
Tell us which metals you need, the grade and form, monthly volume and any origin requirements. We will quote with the batch analysis basis, origin and US duty position stated.