| It is the aluminum industry which is most interested in titanium diboride (TiB2) and TiB2-carbon composites (TCC). The interesting properties of TiB2 were recognized as early as the 50s.; In this study, both raw materials (anthracite, pitch and TiB2 powder) and TiB2-carbon composite were characterized. Results on a comparative microscopic evaluation between TiB2-carbon composites and conventional anthracite-based carbon cathode samples after laboratory immersion and electrolysis tests are presented.; Inclusions of alumino-silicate and iron oxide types were found in the anthracite aggregates. XRD analysis allowed to differentiate between two types of aggregates: stratified (Lc = 44 nm) and non-stratified (L c = 15 nm). The principal impurity found in the TiB2 powder was TiCN and surface analysis of the particles revealed the presence of a contaminant layer composed of C, N, O and Ti; the thickness of this layer varied from 5 nm to 15 nm.; Although pure molten aluminum wets TiB2 after a latent period and penetrates the composite to a depth of about 100 to 200 μm, the TiB 2 shows no evidence of dissolution. Liquid aluminum, in direct contact with carbon, reacts readily to form Al4C3; the carbon from baked pitch is more reactive than the coarser anthracite particles. Molten bath dissolved TiB2 grains preferentially along specific atomic planes. The extent of liquid bath penetration is very low for the anthracite carbon cathode, compared to the composite material which is completely impregnated within minutes. In the case of the composite, a ≈500 μm thick coherent layer of TiB2/Al4C3 composite is formed, the carbon being almost completely reacted in this zone.; Following the electrolysis tests, a film of electrolyte containing aluminum nodules and filaments covers the surface of the conventional carbon cathode. In the case of the TiB2-carbon composite, a continuous film of aluminum metal is observed, wetting the surface of the sample. The penetrating aluminum reacts with the carbon matrix to form a TiB2/Al4 C3 composite sealing the surface to further penetration. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
