The Effects of Iron, Silicon, Nickel and Copper on the Reaction of Aluminum Subchloride Process

Abstract

The effects of iron, silicon, nickel and copper on the reaction of aluminum subchloride process were investigated by the flow method of aluminum trichloride at reduced pressure and in the temperature range of 900∼1100°C.
In all cases, the extraction rate of aluminum decreased with increasing contents of alloying elements, and increased as the temperature and supplying rate of aluminum trichloride were raised. The extraction rate of aluminum could be expressed by the following equation including the activity of aluminum and the partial pressure of aluminum trichloride.
V=1.28a_Al²·P_AlCl3^4⁄3·e^{−11800⁄RT} (Al g/cm²·min)
The contents of silicon and iron in the deposited aluminum were about 0.2% and 0.05%, respectively, and a minute amounts of copper and nickel transfered to the products. In addition, the experimental results were discussed on the basis of thermodynamic calculation.