As part of the German Research Foundation (DFG), the LUF is researching another friction-induced forming process in addition to friction spinning. The continuous recycling process enables the direct recycling of scrap from the field of machining. To ensure a continuous process, an impeller is used that is driven by a powerful geared motor. The material to be recycled in the form of aluminium chips is continuously fed into the circulating groove. A mould insert continuously reduces the cross-sectional area of the groove so that the chips are compressed and reshaped and finally extruded through a shaping opening. Initial investigations have validated the direct and, compared to conventional processes, energy-efficient recycling of aluminium chips into a wire-shaped semi-finished product with good optical and mechanical properties. As part of further investigations, the influence of changes in the process parameters and impurities will be analysed.

Due to the many process-specific similarities to the friction spinning process, which is being researched in both completed and news research projects at the LUF, the aim is to transfer knowledge. In both processes, the heat required for forming or plasticising is friction-induced and generated in the process without the use of external heating elements. The long-term goal of the investigations at the LUF is therefore a combination of recycling and friction spinning processes to establish an energy-efficient and direct link to the production of customised workpieces from metal scrap.