The effect of electroslag refining on iron reduction from commercial aluminum was investigated.Cast electrodes of commercial aluminum were electroslag refined using KCl-NaCl-Na3AlF6 slag containing Na2B4O7.Experimental results indicate that the iron content decreases with increasing Na2B4O7 addition and remelting time,and the iron content decreases from 0.400% to 0.184% under 9% Na2B4O7 addition for 30 min remelting.The elastic modulus,yield strength and ultimate tensile strength commercial aluminum are improved,and the tensile elongation is increased by 43% after electroslag refining.The chemical reaction between melt and slag to form Fe2B is the main reason for iron reduction and the thermodynamic calculation of the chemical reaction theoretically accounts for the formation of Fe2B.
In-situ TiB2 particles reinforced 2014 aluminum alloy composite was prepared using an exothermic reaction process with K2TiF6 and KBF4 salts. The effects of CeO2 additive on the microstructure and properties of in-situ TiB2/2014 composite were investigated. The results showed that CeO2 at high temperature exhibits the same function as Ce. When 0.5% （mass fraction） CeO2 additive was added, the dispersion of TiB2 particles in the matrix is improved significantly, and particles have no obvious settlement. The dispersing mechanism of TiB2 particles in 2014 Al alloy matrix was explained. Compared with the composite without CeO2, the hardness, tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the composite with CeO2 addition are greatly increased in as-cast condition.
