Method Developed for Quantitative Assessment of Inclusions in Aluminium Billets

摘要

A technique, based on sodium hydroxide hot macro etching, has been developed to deep etch non-metallic inclusions in a way that makes them visible on a macro scale. The distribution of inclusions in transverse sections along DC-cast aluminium billets could thus be studied. The technique has obvious advantages over other common analysis methods in giving a macroscopic spatial distribution of inclusions in a relatively simple way. The paper describes the development of the new technique and some applications. An analysis was made of how different inclusions behave during prolonged strong etching. Light optical microscopy, TEM and SEM/EDX have been used to identify specific inclusions.