ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM

摘要

In the electrolytic production of aluminum by electrowinning or electrorefining processes, cell components such as cathode current feeders which in use are normally covered with molten aluminum are made of a composite material of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or intermetallic compound with an aluminum oxycompound, usually alumina, and possibly containing minor amounts of additives such as borides carbides, nitrides or oxides. The composite material, which remains mechanically stable and electrically conductive at 1000 DEG C., may be prepared by hot pressing powders at 1000 DEG -1700 DEG C. possibly after surface treating the alumina to improve wettability by molten Al. The components are optionally coated, e.g. with TiB2. The composite materials are also useful as non-current carrying components, including separator walls, weirs, packing elements and baffles.