Ultrasonic refining mechanism of ternary phase in Al–Sc based alloys prepared through molten salt electrolysis

• Published in: 工程科学学报 Vol. 42; no. 11; pp. 1465 - 1472
• Main Authors: Xuan LIU, Zhi-chao GUO, Ji-lai XUE, Zeng-jie WANG, Xiang LI, Chang-wei ZHU, Peng-ju ZHANG
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: Science Press 01.11.2020
• Subjects: al–sc based alloy; molten salt electrolysis; refining mechanism; synergetic ultrasound; ternary strengthening phase
• ISSN: 2095-9389
• DOI: 10.13374/j.issn2095-9389.2019.11.28.007

Aluminum alloys are widely used in cutting-edge technologies and emerging strategic industries, namely aerospace, high-speed rail transportation, electric vehicles, advanced functional materials, new energy storage, and conversion devices. The processability as well as the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys can be improved via the addition of trace scandium. The ultrasonically assisted molten salt electrolysis is a promising, short technical route for large-scale preparation of low-cost, Al–Sc-based alloys characterized by uniform and fine strengthening phases. At present, it is still unclear if that is the case for the ultrasonic refining mechanism of the Sc-bearing ternary phase. This study aims at clarifying the ultrasonic refining mechanism on the strengthening phase containing scandium. Two Al–Sc based alloys were prepared using ultrasonically assisted molten salt electrolysis while the effect of ultrasound on the morphology and size of the Sc-bearing ternary phase was studied using optical microsc