METALS AND ALLOYS

Master Alloys

Master Alloys are added to Non-Ferrous heats to adjust the chemistry in order to improve Physical Properties of the final product. Master alloys with a number of different titanium-to-boron or titanium-to-carbon ratios are available to accommodate special conditions which may exist in the user's plant. In selecting the proper grain refiner alloy, the user must take into consideration conditions such as the alloy to be treated, the quantity of recycle or secondary aluminum used, the desired grain size in the product, and the melting and casting practice used.

Silicon Metal

Silicon is used for electrical applications (where high conductivity is essential), and a few other special applications. Most casting alloys contain silicon as the major alloying element. Silicon forms a eutectic with aluminum at 11.7% Si, 577°C. Silicon additions improve casting characteristics by improving fluidity, feeding and hot tear resistance.

Copper Alloys

Copper Alloys improve the strength, hardness, machinability and thermal conductivity. Heat treatment is most effective with 4–6% Cu alloys. Copper decreases castability and hot tear resistance together with corrosion resistance.

Chromium Aluminum

Pure aluminum melts at 660.4°C. Chromium Aluminum is used to increase the hardness of Aluminum Alloys.

Phosphorous-Copper Shot

Is added as an alloying agent, wetting agent and deoxidizer for Copper Alloys. It is added to Aluminum as a nucleation agent to modify the silicon.

Ferro Aluminum

Occasionally used as a hardener in Aluminum alloys.

Manganese Aluminum

Improves casting soundness at levels over 0.5%. Mn controls the intermetallic form of iron in the alloy, leading to improved ductility and shrinkage characteristics.

Strontium/Silicon

Strontium/Silicon is used to adjust the final chemistries, modify the silicon, and improve physical properties of the final alloy.

Ti/B Coil, Rod Sticks, Waffles

Close control of the cast structure is a major requirement in the production of high quality aluminum alloy products. The most effective way to provide a fine and uniform as-cast grain structure is to add nucleating agents to the melt to control crystal formation during solidification.

Manganese Bronze Special Ingot

Manganese bronze is a bronze alloy - a blend of different metals - that uses manganese for strength. While the alloy is called manganese bronze, very little manganese is used in the alloy, which is mostly made from copper and zinc. The copper and zinc blend technically makes it brass instead of bronze. This metal finds use in the industrial sector, and is used to make gears, nuts, bearings and valve stems. There are several ways to join this metal, but the best way is via coated-metal arc welding, which will provide the longest lasting joint.

Flux Injectors

Flux Injectors deploy flux deep into the molten aluminum baths via the most efficient and effective manner. Cost savings can be achieved while improving the overall quality of the metal.

Flux

Chemical fluxes for aluminium have a number of functions: Covering fluxes which form a molten layer to protect the melt from oxidation and hydrogen pick-up. Drossing-off fluxes which agglomerate the oxides allowing easy removal from the surface of the melt. Cleaning fluxes which remove non-metallics from the melt by trapping the oxide particles as they float out. Fluxes which "modify" the alloy, by introducing sodium, improving its microstructure. Exothermic fluxes which ensure that aluminium liquid trapped in the dross layer is returned to the melt. Fluxes for reclaiming swarf, skimmings and turnings, giving a high metal yield. Fluxes for the removal of oxide build-up from furnace walls.