Refining performance and recession of Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners

Abstract

Abstract Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners were synthesized by the in-situ exothermic dispersion method using TiO2, C, Al and La2O3 powders as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the microstructures of the Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners. Commercial pure aluminum was refined by the Al–TiO2–C–La2O3 refiners, aimed at investigating refining performance and the resistance to recession. The results show that the Al–TiO2– C–La2O3 refiner with 0.2% La2O3 is composed of α-Al, blocky Al3Ti, dispersive Al2O3 and TiC, which has a better refining effect on commercial pure aluminum than the Al– TiO2–C refiner. The average grain size refined by the above refiner is about 80 μm and it performs better and has a longer refining effect. The grain structure refined by Al–TiO2– C–La2O3 becomes finer within 5 min and remains the same after 120 min, while refined by the Al–TiO2–C refiner the equivalent times are 10 min and 30 min respectively.