Synthesis of Al-Zr Master Alloys via the Electrolysis of KF-NaF-AlF3-ZrO2 Melts

Effects of the KF-NaF-AlF3 melt composition, ZrO2 concentration and aluminothermic synthesis parameters on the conversion rate of zirconium to aluminum were investigated. The kinetics of zirconium electroreduction on glassy-carbon obtained from KFAlF3-ZrO2 melts at a temperature of 750 degrees C was studied via the cyclic voltammetry method. Parameters of the electrolysis of KF-NaF-AlF3-ZrO2 melts were derived on the basis of obtained results, and the theoretical possibility for the electrolytic production of Al-Zr master alloys (having up to 15 wt% zirconium content) was demonstrated. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.