Background

As the global leader in the development and production of aluminium grain refiners, aluminium master alloys, metal treatment alloys and compacted alloying products, Metallurg Aluminium is constantly developing innovative products to improve casthouse efficiency. Our unique 8% boron aluminium master alloy, known as 8BAl™, is breaking new ground in cost-effective transition metal removal.
The Importance of Transition Metal Impurities

The removal of transition metal impurities is essential in producing high-conductivity aluminium for wire 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 alternative to borax addition to electrolytic cells or potassium borofluoride (KBF4) treatment of aluminium in the mixing or holding furnace. Boron aluminium treatment avoids boron contamination of electrolytic cells, and eliminates KBF4 refractory attack.
How Boron Aluminium Treatment Works

After the addition of BAl (with an AlB2 or AlB12 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 rod or Castcut™ form is an alternative, and less common treatment method. In this case, borides formed would be trapped in the filters. With either method, boron recovery should not be expected in the final alloy.

AZoM - Metals, ceramics, polymers and composites - schematic representation of how the boron aluminium addition removes impurities from molten aluminium
8BAl The Cost-Effective Solution

Metallurg Aluminium’s concentrated 8BAl™ boron additive achieves the same impurity removal efficiency as lower concentration alloys, but with a reduced boron unit cost. 8BAl™ lowers the cost of boron treatment in the casthouse, lessens material handling and reduces inventory.
8BAl The Specifically Designed Additive

Excessive boron from precipitation treatment can reduce the ability to grain refine. 8BAl™’s 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.

AZoM - Metals, ceramics, polymers and composites - time required for transition elements to react with boron additive

Sufficient boron addition is required to ensure all transition elements react, and are thus removed.

Our world-wide technical services team can help you achieve effective metal impurity removal with 8BAl™ boron treatment master alloy. Its cost-effectiveness, combined with Metallurg Aluminium’s experience in boron treatment, can enhance your production and improve your bottom line.
Benefits of Using Metallurg Aluminium’s 8BAl

8BAl™ benefits:

· Cost-effective addition

· High concentration

· Same removal efficiency as lower-concentration alloys

· Ease of addition

· Precise weight

· Individual piece identification

· High metallurgical cleanliness

· Lower inventory costs

· Less packaging
Addition Method

8BAl™ should be added to the melt at the highest practical temperature, as early as possible before casting primary aluminium. Where boron additions are made in holding furnaces prior to casting, addition should be made at 720-750°C (1330-1380ºF), 30-120 minutes before casting. When boron aluminium is added as a trough addition (typically in rod or Castcut™ form) this may promote intermetallics in the final cast. However, the cost of treatment maybe less, due to reduced cycle times. Contact your Metallurg Aluminium representative for further information on 8BAl™.
Product Forms and Packaging

· 8BAl™ 8% boron aluminium master alloy is available as Castcut™ – nominal 3kg (6.6 lbs) pieces. A waffle form of 8BAl™ is also available.

· 8BAl™ Castcut™ is supplied in nominal 1,680kg (3,704 lb) lots, shrink-wrapped and strapped to a pallet. Color code is yellow/black.

· Metallurg Aluminium’s range of metal treatment alloys also includes 3%, 4% and 5% boron aluminum master alloys. These products are also available in rod, waffle and Castcut™ forms.

Alloy


AA*/CEN** Designation

3% BAl


H2203 / 90500

4% BAl


H2204 / 90502

5% BAl


H2217 / 90504

8% BAl


- / -

*AA - The Aluminum Association / **CEN - Comité Européen de Normalisation Products produced as an AlB12 microstructure.

All aluminium master alloys are carefully packaged to ensure delivery of clean, dry, clearly identified material.

Note: Never add wet product to molten metal.

Ensure that all materials are dry prior to addition.

AZoM - Metals, ceramics, polymers and composites - 8BAl additive
Product Quality

Metallurg Aluminium’s pursuit of the highest level of quality is reflected in the rigorous ongoing assessment of all our metal treatment alloys and aluminium master alloys. Our products are inspected, examined for consistency and metal cleanliness and tested to international standards.

Metallurg Aluminium’s world-wide production facilities at London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM) in England, Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corporation (SMC) in the United States and Companhia Industrial Fluminense (CIF) in Brazil are each registered to the ISO 9001:2000 quality standard. Our Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy and commitment to quality assure our customers that all of our products meet exacting standards.
Global Logistics and Delivery

Metallurg Aluminium’s global logistics and production ensure reliable delivery of our master alloys, metal treatment alloys, grain refiners and compacted alloying products. Responsive technical support and process expertise mean our products will meet the demands of your specific application with high performance and economy.