Investigation Of High-performance Aluminum Conductor

The usage of heat-resistant Al conductor is investigated at home and abroad, and the beneficial effects of zirconium (Zr) and rare earths (RE) are introduction. A project of producing Al conductor with Zr and RE by electrolysis is putted forward.The electrochemistry processes of directly electrolytic heat-resistant Al-Zr-Ce conductors are investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results show that the processes of deoxidation of Zr and Ce on the graphite electrode have two steps in the melts of cryolite. The processes of deoxidation of Zr are reversible, and two electrons per step are transferred at -0.7 Volt and -1.1 Volt in the reduction process of Zr element; however, the processes of deoxidation of Ce are nonreversible and the reduction potentials of Ce are -0.3 Volt and -1.3 Volt. The processes of deoxidation of Zr and Ce are independence and they are not affected each other. The reduction potentials of ZrO₂ and RE₂O₃ are close to the reduction potential of Al₂O₃, so the oxide don't be accumulated in electrolyte, and the electrolysis will be circulate jar less when electrolyzing Al-Zr-RE alloy.In laboratory, Al-Zr-RE alloy is electrolyzed at industrial electrolysis parameters, and the difference has been investigated between laboratorial and industrial. The experiment lasts 7 hours in 10A current, and there is 15.5g alloy which is electrolyzed with 1.18% zirconium and 0.77% cerium. The current efficiency is 66.0% in this progress, which is equal to the current efficiency of pure aluminum in the same qualification. The balance consistence of Zr and Ce are 0.51% and 0.24%, and the solubility of aluminum in electrolyte won't be influenced at this balance consistence.On the base of the theory hereinbefore, the industrial experiment of aluminum conductor with Zr and RE on 160KA electrolytic cell has been investigated. The results show that the electroanalysis of Al alloy with Zr and RE in it is feasible, when the proper addition of ZrO₂ and RE₂O₃ is adopted. After 4 days producing, there is 10t alloy which is been produced, and there is 0.11% to 0.12% Zr and 0.12% to 0.15% RE in it. The parameter of electrolytic cell is similar to that in the process of electrolyzing pure Al. It is feasible that Al alloy with 0.1% Zr and 0.1% RE is electrolyzed in the technology of electrolyzing pure Al.The conductivity of heat-resistant wire made by electrolysis alloy is equal to which made by melting Al-Zr and Al-RE master alloys, but the strength and heat-resistance are superior to which by melting.In conformity with request of one cable company, the heat treatment parameter of Al-Mg-Si high-strength alloy would be optimized, to adapt the preparation of the high-strength aluminum conductor, and it's performance reaches the national standard. After solution heat-treatment, the performance of the Al-Mg-Si high-strength alloy by cold working has been improved, and it could be drawn smoothly, and there are not breakings, peelings and barbs in the wire. The intensity and toughness of the high strength aluminum alloy meet requirements for national standard after 0.5 hours solution heat-treatment under 520℃and 8 hours aging heat-treatment under 150℃.