Inert anodes: An update

Abstract

This overview covers the development of inert anodes for the primary aluminium industry in the period 2010 -2013. It continues the review of cermets, including their mechanical and physical properties, their behaviour and their manufacture, especially Cu (NiO-NiFe2O4) cermets in cryolite melts. However, the overview focuses particularly on the manufacture and behaviour metal anodes, including steels and Ni-Fe alloys. Low-temperature electrolytes are essential to avoid aggravated corrosion; KF-based electrolytes have proved suitable for low-temperature electrolysis. Inert anodes were tested on laboratory and bench scales, and Rusal announces industrial scale tests in the near future. Copyright © 2014 by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.