Advancements in Refining Techniques for Improving Liquid Metal Quality in Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum is a metal widely used in many industries due to its lightweight, durability, and resistance to corrosion. Its unique combination of properties, including high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, makes it a material of choice in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and packaging.

This chapter investigates the impact of refining processes on the quality of liquid metal in the production of aluminum alloys, with a particular focus on the 6060 alloys. It examines how the presence of oxide compounds during aluminum processing affects the liquid metal's quality and evaluates the effectiveness of various refining methods aimed at removing these compounds.

The study involved casting samples made from 6060 aluminum alloy, and exploring how variables such as flux amounts, cleaning times, and nitrogen gas pressure influence the quality of the liquid metal. To assess metal quality, three key metrics were analyzed: the density index (DI%), bifilm index (BI), and hydrogen level (ml/100g Al), using the solidification under vacuum (RPT) method. Additionally, the chapter delves into microstructural analysis, considering factors such as grain size, grain number, and homogeneity ratio, with a focus on identifying optimal parameters that lead to superior liquid metal quality. The findings underscore the critical role of optimizing refining processes to enhance the quality of liquid metal, emphasizing the significance of these methods in aluminum production.

In conclusion, this chapter highlights the essential refining techniques that can lead to improved metal quality, which is crucial for the manufacturing of high-performance aluminum alloys.