Chemical Resistance of Refractories to AI and AI‐Mg Alloys

Abstract

The chemistry of the reaction between molten aluminum alloys and some refractory oxides is discussed. High‐alumina brick containing 85, 94, and 99% Al 2 O 3 periclase brick, and magnesia spinel brick were immersed for 48 hours in three aluminum alloys containing 0, 2.4, and 7.7% magnesium, respectively. All brick were discolored, although most of the discoloration disappeared after reheating at 1000°C in an oxidizing atmosphere. Only the 85 and 94% brick, which contained silica, showed permanently darkened reaction rims. X‐ray diffraction analysis of these darkened areas showed that the alloy containing 7.7% magnesium caused periclase formation in the rim whereas the alloy containing 2.4% magnesium produced spinel. Commercial aluminum caused only a decrease in the mullite content of the darkened area. Magnesia spinel and periclase were unaffected by all the alloys tested.