Surface interactions and compatibility between Al-Si alloy and ceramic materials

Abstract

The high latent heat of fusion and high volumetric energy density of some metals and metallic alloys makes them perfect for their use as phase change materials in compact Thermal Energy Storage systems. However, one of the main challenges for this application is finding a compatible material that can withstand the contact with the metallic alloy when it is molten without degrading. The interactions on the contact interface between Al-12.6%Si (wt.%) and two different ceramic materials (alumina and cordierite) have been studied as a means to assess the compatibility of both materials when the metallic alloy is molten. Two different purity grades of alumina were analyzed to determine the impact of impurities on the potential interactions. The existence of a reaction and the formation of new phases occurring at the interface when after holding the system at temperatures above the melting point of the metallic alloy were studied. The type and extent of those phases were also identified with SEM and EDX.