Preparation of Al - Li Alloy by molten salts electrolysis
A new process for the electrolytic production of Al - Cu - Li master alloy from LiCl - LiF - Li2O melt was investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and linear voltammetry were employed to investigate the electrode reaction on various electrodes. At an Al-Cu electrode, the electroreduction of Li (I) takes place at more positive potential values than at an inert W electrode, and with slower kinetics than at an Al electrode. During electrolysis, lithium carbonate was generated if graphite was used as anode. Carbonate ion was reduced to carbon at more positive potentials than lithium. Finally, Al - Cu - Li master alloys were produced by galvanostatic electrolysis at 570°C. The process showed great promise in providing Al - Cu - Li master alloy for industrial Al - Li alloys production.