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Potassium Aluminum Fluoride (KAlF4)
Potassium Aluminum Fluoride (KAlF4) – KB Alloys' potassium aluminum fluoride is a commercial grade fused solid, inorganic salt comprising of a mixture of potassium hexa- and tetrafluoroaluminates (K3AlF6 and KAlF4). The material serves as an alternative to conventional fluoride salts for a variety of applications, a few of which are listed below.
Fluxes - Potassium Aluminum Fluoride is often the primary constituent in salt fluxes for metal cleaning, either as a stand-alone addition or combined with other salts such as NaCl and KCl. The addition of fluoride enhances the general performance of the salt flux. The function of the salt flux is to separate metals from oxide and dross and to prevent incendiary burning of the aluminum, thereby maximizing yields. When Potassium Aluminum Fluoride is added to a mixture of NaCl and KCl the resulting flux is more fluid. This increased fluidity better covers the exposed molten metal and facilitates the release of metals entrapped in the dross. The active fluoride will also remove magnesium in the melt, improving metal purity. Some aluminum foundry alloy producers use KAlF as their exclusive magnesium remover (in lieu of dangerous chlorine gas)
Other - In powder form Potassium Aluminum Fluoride is used in the manufacture of grinding wheels (filler/binder) and other abrasive products. KAlF is a common additive to roofing shingles as an alkaline Ph adjuster and color additive to the coatings for roofing granules as well as aiding in flame retardant characteristics. Glass producers use the KAlF for opacification, or to cloud the glass giving it a milky white color.
Potassium Fluoborate (KBF4)
Potassium Fluoborate (KBF4) is a white crystalline salt material. It is offered in granular and fine powder. KBF4 is a key ingredient in grain refining salts for aluminum, and can be used separately or combined with Potassium Titanium Fluoride (K2TiF6) to form a grain refining flux. Titanium and other elements to form TiB2 and other borides, that act as grain nucleating agents, providing a cast structure of fine grain. Grain refiners improve mechanical properties and prevent cracking in aluminum castings.
KBF4 is also used as a cleansing flux for nonferrous metals like aluminum and magnesium. In the molten state on the surface of molten metal it will absorb oxides and other surface debris. Once absorbed the oxide can be removed out of the furnace by surface skimming. It can also be combined with other salts to form fluxes. The fluorine content from the KBF4 increases fluidity of any molten flux. In addition, it is used as an atmospheric barrier over molten magnesium providing an inert cover, preventing rapid oxidation of the molten magnesium. KBF4 can also be used as an ingredient in welding, brazing, and soldering fluxes.
KBF4 is used as a binder/filler in abrasive products. It has a melt point that is ideal for use in grinding wheels and other abrasives where baking of the product is involved. In the semi-solid state it, in effect, glues the various grits together providing a matrix for the particle.
KBF4 is a key ingredient in "Boronizing" steel. This hard-faced steel is used in applications in which wear resistance is important, such as in oil and gas fields, drilling equipment, and more.
KBF4 is a common ingredient in refractories that are pressed or formed into complex shapes for the nonferrous casting industry. These shapes include spouts, baffles, and other parts used in foundries.
DuraBraze™ CAB flux
DuraBraze™ flux is an engineering material, which has been formulated specifically for "Controlled Atmosphere Brazing (CAB) of aluminum heat exchanger components. DuraBraze™ flux is fully compatible with today's CAB brazing equipment and aluminum brazing alloys. DuraBraze™ is a cost effective, non-corrosive brazing flux custom designed for CAB brazing radiators, condensers, evaporators, heater cores or change air coolers.
DuraBraze™ is a fused salt with as chemical formulation based upon the potassium fluoride + aluminum fluoride system (see KF+AlF3 phase diagram on page 2). With reference to the phase diagram, there is a low melting point, eutectic region located at 45 and 50-mole % AlF3, which has a melting range of 565-577 ° C, ideal for today's aluminum brazing alloys. On the basis of this system DuraBraze™ is manufactured as fused fluoroaluminate salts consisting of K3AlF6 and KAlF4, formulated to yield this same low temperature, 565-577 ° C, eutectic composition.