oe Auman ley fr ph Cana intr Boron Aluminium Alloy for High Conductivity Aluminium writen by AZoM Jun 452008 Topics Covered Introdvetion Boron Aluminium Treaimenis How Boron Aluminium Treatment Works Boron Aluminium Additive Benefis of Using Boron Aluminium ‘Addition Method Introduction ‘The removal of transition metal impurities is essential in producing high-conductivity ‘aluminium for wice and cable applications. Titanium, vanadium, chromium and Zirconium and other elements — present in the metal as smelter impurities — significantly impede the electrical conductivity of aluminium. These solute impurities are ‘generally precipitated from the melt through the addition of boron aluminium master alloys, Boron Aluminium Treatments Boron aluminium treatment is an environmentally safer and more cost-effective altemative to borax addition to electrolytic cells or potassium borofluoride (KBF,) treatment of aluminium in the mixing or holding furnace. Boron aluminium treatment avoids boron contamination of electrolytic calls, and eliminates KBF, refractory attack. Sento Npctmwamncenncemmtincni-oaoe Auman ley fr ph Cana intr How Boron Aluminium Treatment Works ‘After the addition of BAI (with an AIB2 or AIB2 microstructure), solute Ti, V and other impurities react with the aluminium borides, and these particles are precipitated, ‘settling to the bottom of the melt to form a boride sludge. Clean, high conductivity Al is then decanted. Boron is trapped in the sludge at the bottom of the furnace. Adding boron in the launder in rad or cast form is an alternative, and less common treatment ‘method. In this case, borides formed would be trapped in the fiters. With either ‘method, boron recovery should nat be expected in the final alloy Boron Aluminium Additive Concentrated boron aluminium additive achieves the same impurity removal efficiency ‘as lower concentration alloys, but with a reduced boron unit cost, Boron aluminium lowers the cost of boron treatment in the casthouse, lessens material handling and reduces inventory, Excessive boron from precipitation treatment can reduce the ability to grain refine. The ‘controlled concentration, precise weight, individual piece identification and high ‘metallurgical cleanliness ensure that boron levels are controlled, and high conductivity is achieved without compromising the desired grain structure in the cast alloy. Benefits of Using Boron Aluminium Additive + Costetfective addition + High concentration + Same removal efciency as lower-concentration alloys + Ease of addition + Precise weight + Individual piaes identification + High metallurgical cleanliness Sento Npchmwamncennicemmtincninoa =oe Auman ley fr ph Cana intr + Lower inventory costs, + Less packaging Addition Method Boron Aluminium must be added to the melt at the highest practical temperature, as ‘early as possible before casting primary aluminium. Where boron adcitions are made in holding furnaces prior to casting, addition should be made at 720-750°C (1330- 1380°F), 30-120 minutes before casting. When boron aluminium is added as a trough addition (typically in rod or cast form) this may promote intermetallics in the inal cast. Original material sourced from Metallurg Aluminium Seton Mesinowamncomenicmenmaninoes