Effect of the Technological Parameters of the Aluminothermic Reduction of Erbium Oxide in Chloride–Fluoride Melts on the Transition of Erbium to a Master Alloy

Abstract

The methods used for the preparation of an Al–Er master alloy as a promising addition to aluminum alloys for enhancing their physical and mechanical characteristics are analytically reviewed. Thermodynamic analysis of the processes that occur during master alloy fabrication in chloride–fluoride melts containing erbium oxide is carried out. Since the data on erbium complexes are lacking or restricted, the thermodynamic values are determined by indirect methods. The study of the phase composition of the chloride–fluoride melts shows that the melting of a salt mixture results in the fluorination of erbium oxide and the formation of the KEr₃F₁₀ complex, which is a precursor for erbium reduction and intermetallic compound Al₃Er formation. The effect of the flux composition and the technological parameters of aluminothermic reduction on the transition of erbium to the master alloy is studied.