Effects of synergetic ultrasound on the Sc yield and primary Al3Sc in the Al-Sc alloy prepared by the molten salts electrolysis

Abstract

In this work, ultrasound has been employed to help prepare Al-Sc alloys using the molten salt electrolysis. The effects of synergetic ultrasound on the Sc content and primary Al3Sc particles of Al-Sc alloys are specifically investigated. Ultrasound can strongly promote the Sc content of the electrolytic Al-Sc alloy and transform the large Al3Sc phase clusters into fine cubic particles. Meanwhile, it also homogenizes the distribution of Al3Sc phase. The Sc content increases by 74.4% up to 1.43 wt% when applying ultrasound during both electrolysis and solidification process. It also transforms the molten salts/liquid Al interface by enhancing the wettability. The huge primary Al3Sc phase clusters transform into fine cubic particles by ultrasound. The average particle size reduces from 77 ± 36 μm down to 21 ± 8 μm. The concerned mechanism have been discussed in detail.