Applications of our master alloys

After decades of production experience we still find new applications on a regular basis. The field is extremely diverse and the master alloy range is correspondingly wide. We would like to give you an idea of some typical applications.

Aluminium based master alloys

In the aluminium wrought and foundry alloy world, aluminium based master alloys are usually separated into different groups.

There are those added for composition adjustment to meet the final chemical specification. They are often added to strengthen the alloy and are therefore referred to as “hardeners”. Examples are AlMn, AlFe, AlCr, AlCu, AlV etc. either in the form of waffle ingot or as a powder compact, i.e. alloying tablets or briquettes.

Another important group is "grain refiners", alloys that are added for structure control. A grain refiner influences the aluminium alloy during the solidification stage. Its role is to prevent cracking, to combat shrinkage porosity and to increase the casting speed. Examples are Aluminium-Titanium-Boron or AlTiB for short. Sometimes also referred to by brand names such as Tibor or TiBAl. Another example is Aluminium-Titanium-Carbon or AlTiC for short, sometimes also called Ticar or TiCAl. These alloys are predominantly used in the form of coiled rod for continuous inoculation during casting. A rod feeding unit (rod feeder) ensures accurate addition rates.

For foundry alloys an important master alloy is the Aluminium-Strontium or AlSr "Modifier". Modifiers change the structure of the AlSi eutectic from a needle into a globular shape thereby markedly increasing alloy ductility. Strontium modification today has largely replaced previous Na-modification and is an essential part of modern melt treatment.

Finally some master alloys are added for specific purposes other than the ones listed above. For instance Aluminium-Boron or AlB or Boral is added to increase the electrical conductivity of EC grade aluminium, a procedure often referred to as boron treatment. Aluminium-Beryllium or AlBe and currently also Aluminium-Calcium (AlCa) is added to minimise oxide and spinel formation in AlMg alloys and for instance Aluminium-Zirconium is used to increase the recrystallisation temperature of the 7000 series alloys.    (More: aluminium based master alloys)

Copper based master alloys

In copper, brasses and bronzes one can make a similar subdivision into "hardeners", "grain refiners" and "special alloys". Copper-Manganese (CuMn), Copper-Aluminium (CuAl) and Copper-Iron (CuFe) are added for composition adjustment. Copper-Boron (CuB), Copper-Aluminium-Boron (CuAlB), Copper-Zirconium (CuZr), Copper-Titanium (CuTi) and to some extent Copper-Iron (CuFe) are used as a grain refiner for copper and certain brasses and bronzes. Copper-Magnesium (CuMg), Copper-Lithium (CuLi), Copper-Calcium (CuCa) and Copper-Phophorus (CuP, PCu) are proven deoxidisers.   (More: copper based master alloys)

Nodularising alloys for the cast iron industry

For the nodular or SG cast iron industry we make Nickel-Magnesium, NiMg or NiMag for short. The range also includes Fe and Si containing alloys such as FeNiMg with or without Ce (MM).  Their task is to provide  a very consistent and reliable Mg-source for graphite nodularisation in ductile cast iron. The use of NiMg or FeNiMg creates less flare and gives lower Mg losses than pure Mg or FeSiMg. (More: nickel/cobalt/iron based master alloys)


Additives for the iron, steel and superalloy industry

We manufacture a highly sophisticated range of master alloys that are used in the production of stainless steels, special steels and superalloys for precipitation hardening, solid solution strengthening, final deoxidation and desulphurisation, nitrogen scavenging, carbide formation etc. The range  includes Ferro-Zirconium (FeZr), Ferro-Niobium (FeNb), Nickel-Molybdenum (NiMo), Nickel-Calcium (NiCa), Nickel-Niobium / Nickel-Columbium (NiNb) and Nickel-Boron (NiB). These delicate alloys must usually meet extremely tight specifications for impurity levels and are subject to very stringent quality assurance procedures. (More: nickel/cobalt/iron based master alloys )

Zinc based master alloys

Perhaps less well known but no less important is our remarkable range of zinc master alloys such as Zinc-Titanium (ZnTi) used for strengthening wrought zinc alloys. Other alloys find their way into the galvanising industry with the aim of improving zinc coating properties. (More: zinc based master alloys)

Lead based master alloys

For the battery makers we produce master alloys such as Lead-Selenium (PbSe) and Lead-Calcium (PbCa) for improving the properties of grid and plate alloys and for reducing the aging effects of repeated draining/charging cycles. (More: lead based master alloys)

Special alloys

KBM Affilips has developed many special, non-standard binary, ternary and complex alloys in close consultation with the end users. Worth mentioning is our capability to manufacture small batches (5-50 mt) of aluminium alloy rod for the production of aluminium welding rod and wire for special purposes such as flame spraying, sputtering and vapour deposition. An offshoot of our experience with boron containing alloys is the production of wear resistant aluminium composites.

We therefore encourage you to discuss your metallurgical requirements with us. Our capabilities are described in more detail on our special alloys page. 

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