Thermodynamics of oxygen solutions in nickel melts containing aluminum and titanium

Abstract

Thermodynamic analysis of oxygen solutions in nickel melt shows that, as aluminum and titanium are added to the melt, the solubility of oxygen decreases. However, after reaching 0.205% Al and 0.565% Ti, the oxygen concentration in the melt begins to rise with increase in the Al and Ti content. The minimum oxygen concentrations in the reduction of nickel melt by aluminum (1.44 × 10^–4% O) and titanium (2.98 × 10^–4% O) are determined. On that basis, we may propose the optimal approach to alloying nickel melts with aluminum and titanium. First, the melt is reduced by adding sufficient aluminum to minimize the oxygen concentration in the melt (~0.2% Al). Then the oxide formed is removed, so as to prevent repeated oxidation of the melt. Finally, the melt is alloyed with aluminum and titanium to obtain the required alloy composition.