Investigation of The Refining Process of Aluminum Casting Alloys
Abstract
This study examines the refining processes of aluminum alloys aimed at improving melt quality by removing impurities, dissolved gases, and non-metallic inclusions. Key methods, including flux treatment, gas purging, and chloride-based refining, were analyzed, with particular attention to the effectiveness of chloride–fluoride fluxes in reducing oxidation and enhancing melt cleanliness. The results show that introducing fluxes using bell-type devices significantly improves refining efficiency compared to surface application. While chlorine refining is highly effective, its use is limited due to toxicity; therefore, alternative chloride-based agents such as hexachloroethane are widely applied. The refining mechanism involves the formation of aluminum chloride bubbles that remove inclusions through flotation. Optimized refining conditions lead to improved microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloys, providing a basis for more efficient and safer refining technologies.