METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM-SCANDIUM MASTER ALLOY Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy of rare metals; technology of aluminum alloys with rare-earth elements: scandium, yttrium and lanthanides. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes reduction of fluorine- containing compounds of scandium by aluminum in presence of potassium and sodium chlorides and fluorides at heating under layer of covering flux from sodium and potassium chlorides. Prior to reduction, granules of metallic aluminum having size of particles of 2-7 mm are mixed with sodium hexafluoroscandiate and sodium fluoride taken at the following ratio (weight): aluminum granules: sodium hexafluoroscandiate: sodium fluoride equal to 8.7-9.1:1:1.2-1.8. Charge thus obtained is placed in crucible and molten mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride is poured forming covering flux layer, 20 to 30 mm thick; reduction is performed at heating to temperature of 700- 750 C followed by holding at heat for 60-90 min for separation of master alloy. EFFECT: possibility of obtaining homogeneous ingots; enhanced stabilization and simplification of process. 1 tbl