Processing Al-Sc Alloys at Liquid Aluminum Cathode in KF-AlF_3 Molten Salt

摘要

Al-Sc Alloys have showed many advanced properties for a wide range of engineering applications, which is usually produced using thermal reduction process. This work presents a study on electrochemical preparation of Al-Sc alloys at liquid aluminum cathode in KF-AlF_3 (CR=1.3) molten salt at 750°C. Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry were employed to investigate the electrode reaction. The electro-reduction of Sc (III) takes place on the surface of the aluminum liquid cathode at more positive potential values (0.6 V) than at the inert Mo cathode. SEM and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis of the product indicated that Al-Sc alloys were made of α-Al and Al_3Sc phases; when the anode current density was 0.5～2.0 A/cm~2, Sc content was 0.44～0.73%. The obtained results show a promising method to make Al-Sc alloy electrochemically.