Wetting and Reaction Characteristics of Al2O3/SiC Composite Refractories By Molten Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2007

OSTI ID:931047

Hemrick, James Gordon ^[1]; Xu, Jing ^[1]; Peters, Klaus-Markus ^[1]; Liu, Xingbo ^[1]; Barbero, Ever J ^[1]

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1. ORNL

The reactive wetting behavior in molten aluminum (Al) and Al alloy was investigated for alumina-silicon carbide composite refractory materials using an optimized sessile drop method at 900oC in a purified Ar-4% H2 atmosphere. The time dependent behavior of the contact angle and drop geometry was monitored and the wetting kinetics were determined. The initial contact angle between the liquid Al/Al alloy and the refractory substrates was found to be greater than 90 and to gradually decrease with time. For two of the materials, it was found that the contact angles decreased to and angle less than 90 by the end of the two-hour test. For the third material, the contact angle was still greater than 90 at the conclusion of the two-hour test. The difference in wetting properties among the three types of refractories is attributed to their microstructural and compositional variations. The effect of magnesium in the molten Al alloy drops on the wetting kinetics and the reaction with the refractory substrates are also discussed. The results obtained provide important understanding of the wetting and corrosion mechanisms of alumina and silicon carbide materials in contact with molten aluminum.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 931047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM
CARBIDES
CERAMICS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CORROSION
GEOMETRY
KINETICS
MAGNESIUM
REFRACTORIES
SILICON CARBIDES
SUBSTRATES