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Microstructural Evolution of Cast Iron Used for Cathode Rodding in Aluminium Electrolysis Cell

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Light Metals 2013

Abstract

The microstructure of cast iron sealed to the steel collector bar through casting process was investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopes equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer in as cast condition and after 3 and 9 hours electrolysis tests in laboratory scale. Thermodynamic study was also carried out using Factsage software and the results were compared with DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) test to reveal the solidification behavior of the cast iron. The micro structural observation indicated a significant change particularly at the interface of cast iron-steel after the electrolysis tests due to the time dependent diffusion of the elements, mainly carbon and phosphor, from cast iron into the steel. The diffusion zone inside the steel collector bar with pearlitic micro structure can be visually detected and separated from the regular (non diffused) ferritic steel by etching the metallographic samples using Nital reagent.

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Barry A. Sadler

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© 2016 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

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Hekmat-Ardakan, A., Soucy, G., Rivoaland, L. (2016). Microstructural Evolution of Cast Iron Used for Cathode Rodding in Aluminium Electrolysis Cell. In: Sadler, B.A. (eds) Light Metals 2013. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65136-1_220

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