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The apparent solubility of aluminum in cryolite melts

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Abstract

The apparent solubility of aluminum in cryolite melts saturated with A12O3 has been determined by titration with electrolytically generated O2. The results may be expressed by wt pct Al = − 0.2877 + 0.0268 (NaF/AlF3 wt ratio) + 2.992 × 10−4 (temp °C) − 0.00192 (% CaF2) −0.00174 (% Li3AlF6) −0.00288 (% NaCl) with a standard deviation of ±0.017. Ranges covered were ratio 0.8 to 2.3, temperatures 969° to 1054°C, CaF2 ≤ 14 pct, Li3AlF6 ≤ 20 pct, and NaCl ≤ 10 pct. There was no significant effect of adding 0 to 38. pct K3A1F6 or 0 to 10 pct MgF2. It was found that solubility was approximately proportional to activity of aluminum when Al-Cu alloys were used. Possible mechanisms of solution are discussed. Monovalent aluminum is ruled out on the basis of the variation of solubility with NaF/AlF3 ratio and aAl. The favored, but not proven, mechanism involves formation of both sodium atoms and a colloidal dispersion of aluminum.

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Yoshida, K., Dewing, E.W. The apparent solubility of aluminum in cryolite melts. Metall Trans 3, 1817–1821 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02642565

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