Effect of watering and non-watering cooling rates on the mechanical properties of an aluminum smelter's potshell

Ayoola T. Brimmo, Mohamed I. Hassan, M. O. Ibrahiem, Youssef Shatilla

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cooling time of a shutdown aluminum reduction pot depends on the cooling method. Free-convection cooling (non-watering) takes about five to nine days depending on the surrounding environment while watering the pot shortens the cooling time to less than one day. Application of watering cooling rates on the pot from a high temperature can have consequences on the final mechanical property of the potshell. Facilitating a design of a cooling system which optimizes the cooling rate of a shutdown pot without deteriorating the desired mechanical properties of the potshell is required. This study focuses on the effect of different cooling rates on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the potshell material. To this effect, samples of potshell material from a shutdown pot were collected and ASTM standard specimens for mechanical and microstructural examinations were machined. Specimens were heated up to a maximum temperature of 500°C and then cooled at various rates ranging from that of free convection cooling to water quenching cooling. Tensile and micro-hardness tests were carried out to examine the effect of these cooling rates on the mechanical properties of the material. Microstructural analysis was carried out to study the microstructural response of the material to the various cooling techniques. The variation of the thermal and thermo gravimetric properties of the potshell material with temperature has also been measured according to ASTM El461 Test Method.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationLight Metals 2012 - At the TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibition
PublisherMinerals, Metals and Materials Society
Pages845-850
Number of pages6
EditionLight Metals 2013 - At the TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibi...
ISBN (Print)9781118605721
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventLight Metals 2012 - TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibition - San Antonio, TX, United States
Duration: 3 Mar 20137 Mar 2013

Publication series

NameTMS Light Metals
NumberLight Metals 2013 - At the TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibi...
ISSN (Print)0147-0809

Conference

ConferenceLight Metals 2012 - TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibition
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio, TX
Period3/03/137/03/13

Keywords

  • Aluminum reduction potshell
  • Cooling rate
  • Mechanical test
  • Microstructure
  • Shutdown pot

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