Formation of the solid layer on the top of molten aluminum

Lucas Nana Wiredu Damoah, Lifeng Zhang, Nathaniel Femi Adegboyega

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The formation of the top solid layer on the molten aluminum in launders during refining and casting, constituting production loss, were experimentally, thermodynamically and kinetically investigated in the current study. The effects of humidity and composition of the metal on the oxide layer were discussed. The thickness of the top thin oxide layer was only 1 - 5 μm, and the rest of the top layer averaging 350μm were mainly composed of aluminum matrix with MgO clusters, other inclusions and Fe-rich precipitated phases. Two most feasible reactions were determined to be responsible for the formation of the thin oxide layer: (1) the oxidation of molten aluminum by water vapor in humid air and (2) the oxidation of dissolved magnesium by O2. Higher humidity enhanced the oxidation of molten aluminum while lower humidity favored dissolve [Mg] oxidation. Increasing the humidity reduced the thickness of the oxide layer, however, resulted in more hydrogen in the molten metal.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLight Metals 2010 - Proceedings of the Technical Sessions Presented by the TMS Aluminum Committee at the TMS 2010 Annual Meeting and Exhibition
Pages773-778
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventLight Metals 2010 - TMS 2010 Annual Meeting and Exhibition - Seattle, WA
Duration: 14 Feb 201018 Feb 2010

Publication series

NameTMS Light Metals
ISSN (Print)0147-0809

Conference

ConferenceLight Metals 2010 - TMS 2010 Annual Meeting and Exhibition
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period14/02/1018/02/10

Keywords

  • Aluminum
  • Humidity
  • Magnesium
  • Oxides
  • Top Layer

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