Al-Zr alloys synthesis: characterization of suitable multicomponent low-temperature melts

Al-Zr alloys as an advanced metal matrix composite material start to be attractive for various special applications. The electrochemical preparation of aluminium-zirconium alloy from cryolite melts seemed to be very perspective. Characterization of low-temperature sodium and potassium cryolite-based systems with the different additions of ZrO2 and Al2O3 (both as an electrochemical active compounds) was realized. The electrical conductivity of NaF-AlF3-Al2O3-ZrO2 and KF-AlF3-Al2O3-ZrO2 systems as a function of the temperature was studied. The addition of AlF3 varied from 33 mol% to 42 mol% in the sodium cryolite system and from 40.0 mol% to 45.5 mol% in the potassium cryolite system. Alumina and/or zirconia were added in amounts up to 1.2 mol% and 2 mol%, respectively (sodium system), and up to 2.8 mol% and 3 mol%, respectively (potassium system). The behavior of the electrical conductivity in the studied systems was described by the regression equations valid in a large temperature and concentration ranges. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.