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.
Aluminum based master alloys
In the aluminum wrought and foundry alloy world, aluminum 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 MnAl, FeAl, CrAl, CuAl, VAl 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 aluminum alloy during the solidification stage. Its role is to prevent cracking, to combat shrinkage porosity and to increase the casting speed. Examples are Aluminum-Titanium-Boron or AlTiB for short. Sometimes also referred to by brand names such as Tibor or TiBAl. Another example is Aluminum-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 Strontium-Aluminum or SrAl "Modifier". Modifiers change the structure of the SiAl 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 Boron-Aluminum or BAl or Boral is added to increase the electrical conductivity of EC grade aluminum, a procedure often referred to as boron treatment. Beryllium-Aluminum or BeAl and currently also Calcium-Aluminum (CaAl) is added to minimise oxide and spinel formation in MgAl alloys and for instance Zirconium-Aluminum is used to increase the recrystallization 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". Manganese-Copper (MnCu), Aluminum-Copper (AlCu) and Iron-Copper (FeCu) are added for composition adjustment. Boron-Copper (BCu), Copper-Aluminum-Boron (CuAlB), Zirconium-Copper (ZrCu), Titanium-Copper (TiCu) and to some extent Iron-Copper (FeCu) are used as a grain refiner for copper and certain brasses and bronzes. Magnesium-Copper (MgCu), Lithium-Copper (LiCu), Calcium-Copper (CaCu) and Phophorus-Copper (PCu) are proven deoxidizers. (More: copper based master alloys)
Nodularising alloys for the cast iron industry
For the nodular or SG cast iron industry we make Magnesium-Nickel, 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 MgNi 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 super alloy industry
We manufacture a highly sophisticated range of master alloys that are used in the production of stainless steels, special steels and super alloys for precipitation hardening, solid solution strengthening, final deoxidation and desulphurisation, nitrogen scavenging, carbide formation etc. The range includes Zirconium-Ferro (ZrFe), Niobium-Ferro (NbFe), Molybdenum-Nickel (MoNi), Calcium-Nickel (CaNi), Niobium-Nickel / Columbium-Nickel (NbNi) and Boron-Nickel (BNi). 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 Titanium-Zinc (TiZn) used for strengthening wrought zinc alloys. Other alloys find their way into the galvanizing 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 Selenium-Lead (SePb) and Calcium-Lead (CaPb) 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 aluminum alloy rod for the production of aluminum 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 aluminum 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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