Preparing Al-Sc-Zr alloys in aluminum electrolysis process

Abstract

Al-RE Alloys have attracted much attention in recent years due to their great potential in many advanced applications. In this work, Al-Sc-Zr alloys were prepared in a laboratory electrolysis cell. Effects of Sc2O3 and ZrO2 additions and the electrolysis time on Sc-Zr contents and their ratio in the alloys were investigated in Na3AlF6 based melt at 960 °C. SEM and ICP-AES show that Sc and Zr contents in the alloy produced were 0.25–0.32 wt% and 0.26–1.24 wt%. SEM-EDS analysis reveals that Al3(Sc,Zr) particles form in Al alloy prepared by electrolysis. Cyclic voltammetry results demonstrate that Zr4+ proceeds a two-step process electrolysis at -0.7V and -1.05V, respectively, while no single peak appears for Sc deposition.