Abstract: To find solutions to recovery and reuse of end-of-life vehicles and household appliances (ELV and ELHA), on the basis of the working principle of shredders and dynamic model of shredding process, the experimental shredding installation for light metal scrap is constructed. By way of test and analysis, the mechanical characteristics of the material of test specimen are obtained. With the help of a photoelectrical microscope with 50× magnification, the feature of light metal scrap surface appearance, including surface scratches, is acquired before and after testing, respectively. Through analysis and investigation of experimental results, some conclusions are reached. Under the action of continuous impact by shredding tools, the initial surface defects and small cracks of the light metal scrap with most concentrated stress and strain, take the lead in loss of stability, extension, connection and perforation until large fragments (200 mm×200 mm) are torn off from the light metal scrap. On this basis, by combining theoretical analysis with simulation, the shredding process of light metal scrap is further studied, the shredding damage law is theoretically clarified, and the corresponding shredding modes are presented, which lays the foundation for the establishment of the theoretical system of light metal shredding with independent intellectual property rights.

Key words: End-of-life vehicle, Light metal scrap, Numerical simulation, Shredding mode