Microstructural Master Alloys Features of Aluminum–Erbium System

Aluminum master alloys with rare earth metals are widely studied by many scientists around the world, but research on production of Al-Er is still limited. The purpose this work to study microstructure parameters aluminum-erbium obtained metallothermic reduction salt mixtures containing erbium oxide or fluoride. structural features were investigated optical and scanning electron microscopy, dependence microhardness eutectic solid solution fields content in alloy was determined. Studies have shown that compounds from chloride–fluoride melts characterized a uniform distribution Al3Er intermetallic volume double [(Al) + Al3Er] strong grain refinement effect. analysis showed structure varies depending erbium. When up 6 wt.%, preserved. 8 wt.% more, becomes individual inclusions various shapes compounds.