Anodic behaviour of oxidised Ni–Fe alloys in cryolite–alumina melts

Abstract

Nickel-iron alloys have been identified as promising inert anode candidates for the Hall–Héroult process. In this study, binary Ni–Fe alloys of various compositions were subjected to short-term galvanostatic electrolysis in a cryolite–alumina bath at 960 °C. Prior to electrolysis, the anodes were oxidised at 800 °C for 48 h, forming a protective scale. Fe 2O 3, Ni x Fe 3− x O 4 and Ni x Fe 1 − x O were identified as the major scale components using a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Anodes having Ni content of 50–65 wt% performed adequately during short-term electrolysis, operating at a steady potential of 3–3.5 V vs. AlF 3/Al. Overall, it was found that the pre-formed oxide scale was effective in reducing anode wear and fluoridation. In the absence of a pre-formed scale, anodes were shown to undergo appreciable internal corrosion and/or passivation due to metal fluoride formation. Analysis of the anodes following electrolysis was performed using XRD and electron microprobe analysis (EPMA).