Aluminium-titanium-carbon Master Alloy，Aluminium titanium carbon Alloy，AlTiC Alloy，E FORU

**Product Datasheet: Aluminium-Titanium-Carbon Master Alloy (Al-Ti-C Alloy)** **Version:** 1.0 | **Date:** 2025-04-02 --- ### **1. General Overview** Aluminium-Titanium-Carbon Master Alloy (Al-Ti-C Alloy) is an advanced grain refiner designed as a superior alternative to conventional Al-Ti-B alloys, particularly for aluminium alloys containing zirconium, chromium, or other transition elements that poison TiB₂-based refiners. By utilizing TiC particles as nucleation sites, Al-Ti-C provides excellent grain refinement without suffering from the poisoning effects that limit Al-Ti-B performance in certain alloy systems. --- ### **2. International Standards** Al-Ti-C master alloys are recognized in several international specifications: - **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) - **GB/T:** GB/T 8734 (Aluminium alloy master alloys) - **Typical Master Alloy Grades:** Al-3Ti-0.15C, Al-5Ti-0.2C, Al-3Ti-0.3C, Al-5Ti-0.4C --- ### **3. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** Typical composition ranges for Al-Ti-C master alloy: | Element | Content (%) | Role & Remarks | |---------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------| | Titanium (Ti) | 2.0 – 6.0 | Primary grain refining element | | Carbon (C) | 0.05 – 0.5 | Forms TiC nucleation sites | | Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.20 | Impurity control | | Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.15 | Impurity control | | Boron (B) | ≤ 0.01 | Critical impurity control | | Other Impurities | ≤ 0.10 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 | TiC, Al₃Ti, Al₄C₃ | | Thermal Conductivity | 100 – 150 W/m·K | | Electrical Conductivity | 35 – 50 % IACS | | Vickers Hardness | 70 – 140 HV | | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 20–23 × 10⁻⁶/K | --- ### **5. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Poisoning Resistance:** Effective in alloys containing Zr, Cr, V, Mn - **Excellent Grain Refinement:** Achieves 75–90% grain size reduction - **Stable TiC Particles:** TiC maintains stability in molten aluminium - **Improved Fade Resistance:** Longer effective refinement period (6–10 hours) - **Enhanced Mechanical Properties:** Superior strength and ductility combination - **Reduced Cluster Formation:** TiC particles less prone to agglomeration --- ### **6. Product Applications** - **High-Strength Alloys:** 7xxx series alloys with zirconium additions - **Aerospace Components:** Airframe structures, forged components - **Automotive Applications:** Crash-relevant structural components - **Marine Alloys:** Al-Mg alloys with chromium additions - **Extrusion Billets:** Improved surface quality and extrusion speed - **Foundry Castings:** Complex castings requiring fine grains - **Recycled Alloys:** Effective in alloys with high transition metal content --- ### **7. Available Forms** - **Wire:** 9.5mm diameter rods for continuous feeding - **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 - **Melt Temperature:** 730–790°C - **Holding Time:** 20–40 minutes for optimal TiC dispersion - **Feeding Rate:** 1–2 meters per minute for wire feeding - **Treatment Window:** Effective refinement for 6–10 hours - **Ti:C Ratio:** Optimal performance at 10:1 to 20:1 ratio --- ### **9. Performance in Poisoning-Prone Alloys** | Alloy Type | Transition Elements | Al-Ti-B Performance | Al-Ti-C Performance | |------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------| | **7075** | Zr, Cr | Poor | Excellent | | **5083** | Cr, Mn | Fair | Very Good | | **2024** | Mn | Good | Excellent | | **6061** | Cr | Fair | Very Good | --- ### **10. Comparison with Al-Ti-B Refiner** | Parameter | Al-Ti-B | Al-Ti-C | Advantage | |-----------|---------|---------|-----------| | **Poisoning Resistance** | Poor | Excellent | Al-Ti-C | | **Fade Time** | 4–8 hours | 6–10 hours | Al-Ti-C | | **Particle Stability** | Good | Excellent | Al-Ti-C | | **Cost** | Medium | High | Al-Ti-B | | **General Applications** | Excellent | Very Good | Al-Ti-B | --- ### **11. Grain Refinement Efficiency** | Application | Grain Size (μm) | Grain Reduction (%) | Typical Ti:C Ratio | |-------------|----------------|-------------------|-------------------| | **7xxx Alloys** | 25–60 | 80–90 | 15:1 | | **5xxx Alloys** | 30–70 | 75–85 | 12:1 | | **6xxx Alloys** | 20–50 | 80–90 | 10:1 | | **Foundry Alloys** | 40–80 | 70–80 | 18:1 | --- ### **12. Quality Control Parameters** - Precise Ti:C ratio control (±0.02%) - TiC particle size distribution (0.1–1.5 μm) - Freedom from boron contamination - Grain refinement efficiency certification - Chemical composition verification --- ### **13. Health, Safety & Handling** - **Standard Handling:** Similar precautions to other grain refiners - **Dust Control:** Avoid inhalation during processing of powder forms - **Personal Protection:** Standard foundry PPE required - **Ventilation:** Adequate fume extraction recommended - **Storage:** Dry conditions to prevent moisture absorption - **Disposal:** Follow standard metal disposal protocols --- ### **14. Metallurgical Mechanisms** - **TiC Nucleation:** TiC particles act as heterogeneous nucleation sites - **Particle Stability:** TiC maintains structural integrity in molten aluminium - **Wettability:** Good wetting by aluminium promotes effective nucleation - **Distribution:** Homogeneous TiC distribution ensures consistent refinement --- ### **15. Economic Considerations** - **Premium Cost:** Higher cost compared to Al-Ti-B refiners - **Value Justification:** Essential for poisoning-prone alloy systems - **Process Benefits:** Reduced scrap in critical applications - **Quality Premium:** Enables production of high-quality aerospace components --- ### **16. Research & Development Trends** - **Nanocomposite Refiners:** Development of nano-TiC particle dispersions - **Multi-phase Refiners:** Al-Ti-C-B combined systems - **Additive Manufacturing:** Grain control in 3D printed aluminium components - **Recycling Optimization:** Improved performance in recycled alloy systems - **Process Monitoring:** Advanced real-time grain size 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. Al-Ti-C grain refiners command a premium price but provide essential performance benefits in poisoning-prone alloy systems. Users are advised to conduct thorough testing to determine the optimal grain refiner for their specific applications and to verify cost-effectiveness for their particular production requirements. Always follow good foundry practices and safety guidelines, and consult with materials engineering specialists for critical applications in aerospace and automotive sectors.

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 2319 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.