Study of the properties of refining fluxes and assessment of their effectiveness for removing impurities from alloy 1580 ingots

The article explores the critical role of refining fluxes in the purification of aluminum alloy 1580 ingots, focusing on the removal of impurities such as sodium, calcium, and hydrogen. It presents a detailed study of five different fluxes—Ecoraf Ri Flux, Ecoraf F-1, Foundry EL NA/4, Pyrotek Promag SI, and Hoesch Dursalit LM14—evaluating their chemical, molecular, and granulometric compositions, melting points, volatility, and viscosity. The research underscores the importance of understanding these properties to enhance the effectiveness of flux treatments. Experimental results demonstrate the varying degrees of impurity reduction achieved by each flux, with Foundry EL NA/4 and Pyrotek Promag SI showing particularly high effectiveness. The article also discusses the impact of hygroscopic and crystallization moisture on flux performance, highlighting the need for fluxes with minimal moisture content to avoid hydrogen saturation and oxidation of the aluminum melt. Furthermore, it provides insights into the practical applications of these findings, suggesting that optimizing flux selection can significantly improve the quality of aluminum alloy ingots, leading to better mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in the final products.