Aluminium-titanium-boron Master Alloy，Aluminium titanium boron Alloy，AlTiB Alloy，E FORU

**Product Datasheet: Aluminium-Titanium-Boron Master Alloy (Al-Ti-B Alloy)** **Version:** 1.0 | **Date:** 2025-04-02 --- ### **1. General Overview** Aluminium-Titanium-Boron Master Alloy (Al-Ti-B Alloy) is the industry standard for grain refinement of aluminium and its alloys. This ternary master alloy combines titanium and boron to form TiB₂ and Al₃Ti intermetallic particles that serve as potent nucleation sites during solidification. It is the most widely used grain refiner globally, providing exceptional grain size control, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced casting characteristics across all aluminium product forms. --- ### **2. International Standards** Al-Ti-B master alloys are specified in numerous international standards: - **ASTM:** ASTM B179 (Standard Specification for Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and Molten Forms) - **ISO:** ISO 209-1 (Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys) - **EN:** EN 1676 (Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Master alloys) - **AA:** Aluminum Association standards for grain refinement - **JIS:** JIS H 2118 (Aluminium alloy master alloys) - **GB/T:** GB/T 8734 (Aluminium alloy master alloys) - **Typical Master Alloy Grades:** Al-3Ti-0.2B, Al-5Ti-1B, Al-3Ti-1B, Al-5Ti-0.2B, Al-5Ti-0.6B --- ### **3. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** Typical composition ranges for Al-Ti-B master alloy: | Element | Content (%) | Role & Remarks | |---------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------| | Titanium (Ti) | 2.0 – 6.0 | Primary grain refining element | | Boron (B) | 0.1 – 1.5 | Grain refining enhancement | | Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.25 | Impurity control | | Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.20 | Impurity control | | Vanadium (V) | ≤ 0.05 | Critical impurity control | | Zirconium (Zr) | ≤ 0.05 | Critical impurity control | | Other Impurities | ≤ 0.15 total | — | | Aluminium (Al) | Balance | Base metal | --- ### **4. Physical Properties** | Property | Value / Range | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Density | 2.8 – 3.3 g/cm³ | | Melting Range | 660 – 1650°C | | Intermetallic Phases | TiB₂, Al₃Ti, (Al,Ti)B₂ | | Thermal Conductivity | 100 – 150 W/m·K | | Electrical Conductivity | 35 – 50 % IACS | | Vickers Hardness | 65 – 130 HV | | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 20–23 × 10⁻⁶/K | --- ### **5. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Superior Grain Refinement:** Achieves 80–95% grain size reduction - **Excellent Nucleation Efficiency:** TiB₂ particles provide ideal nucleation sites - **Long Fade Time:** Effective grain refinement for 4–8 hours - **Improved Mechanical Properties:** Enhances strength, ductility, and toughness - **Reduced Hot Tearing:** Significantly minimizes casting defects - **Enhanced Surface Quality:** Produces superior casting surfaces --- ### **6. Product Applications** - **DC Casting:** Billets, slabs, and foundry ingots production - **Shape Castings:** Sand, permanent mold, and die castings - **Wrought Products:** Sheet, plate, foil, extrusions, and forgings - **Automotive Components:** Wheels, engine blocks, structural parts - **Aerospace Structures:** Airframe components, structural castings - **Building Materials:** Architectural extrusions, structural members - **Consumer Goods:** Packaging foil, cookware, electronics --- ### **7. Available Forms** - **Wire:** 9.5mm diameter rods for continuous feeding (most common) - **Master Alloy:** Ingots, notch bars, waffle plates - **Special Forms:** Tablets, granules for specific applications - **Standard Sizes:** 5–15 kg ingots, 200–500 kg wire coils --- ### **8. Technical Guidelines for Use** - **Addition Rate:** 0.5–2.0 kg per tonne of aluminium (wire form) - **Melt Temperature:** 720–780°C - **Holding Time:** 15–30 minutes for optimal dispersion - **Feeding Rate:** 1–3 meters per minute for wire feeding - **Treatment Window:** Effective refinement for 4–8 hours - **Ti:B Ratio:** Optimal performance at 5:1 ratio --- ### **9. Grain Refinement Performance** | Alloy Type | Grain Size (μm) Unrefined | Grain Size (μm) Refined | Improvement (%) | |------------|---------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------| | **1xxx Series** | 200–400 | 50–100 | 75–85 | | **3xxx Series** | 150–300 | 40–80 | 70–80 | | **5xxx Series** | 100–250 | 30–70 | 65–75 | | **6xxx Series** | 80–200 | 20–50 | 70–80 | --- ### **10. Comparison with Other Grain Refiners** | Grain Refiner | Efficiency | Fade Time | Cost | Poisons | |---------------|------------|-----------|------|---------| | **Al-Ti-B** | Excellent | 4–8 hours | Medium | Zr, Cr, V | | **Al-Ti-C** | Excellent | 6–10 hours | High | None | | **Al-Ti** | Good | 2–4 hours | Low | None | | **Al-B** | Fair | 1–3 hours | Low | Ti | --- ### **11. Quality Control Parameters** - Precise Ti:B ratio control (±0.05%) - TiB₂ particle size distribution (0.5–2.0 μm) - Grain refinement efficiency testing - Low gas content (hydrogen < 0.12 ml/100g) - Chemical composition certification --- ### **12. Health, Safety & Handling** - **Wire Handling:** Use appropriate feeding equipment for wire forms - **Dust Control:** Avoid inhalation of fine particles during processing - **Personal Protection:** Standard foundry PPE required - **Ventilation:** Adequate fume extraction recommended - **Storage:** Dry conditions to prevent oxidation - **Disposal:** Follow standard metal disposal protocols --- ### **13. Metallurgical Mechanisms** - **Peritectic Reaction:** L + Al₃Ti → α-Al at 665°C - **TiB₂ Nucleation:** TiB₂ particles act as heterogeneous nucleation sites - **Particle Size:** Optimal TiB₂ size range 0.5–2.0 μm - **Distribution:** Homogeneous particle distribution essential for effectiveness --- ### **14. Economic Benefits** - **Cost Efficiency:** Most economical high-performance grain refiner - **Quality Improvement:** Significant enhancement of product quality - **Yield Increase:** Reduced scrap rates and improved productivity - **Process Efficiency:** Continuous wire feeding enables automation --- ### **15. Research & Development Trends** - **Nanoscale Particles:** Development of nano-sized TiB₂ particles - **Optimized Compositions:** Improved Ti:B ratios for specific alloys - **Additive Manufacturing:** Grain control in 3D printed aluminium - **Recycling Applications:** Enhanced performance in recycled alloys - **Real-time Monitoring:** Advanced process control systems --- ### **Disclaimer** This information is provided for technical reference only. Properties and performance may vary based on specific application conditions, processing parameters, and alloy composition. The presence of elements such as zirconium, chromium, or vanadium can "poison" the grain refinement effect. Users are advised to conduct thorough testing to determine optimal addition rates and parameters for their specific applications. Always follow good foundry practices and safety guidelines, and consult with materials engineering specialists for critical applications.

Packing of Standard Packing: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 2318 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.