CHARACTERIZATION OF AL-SI-NI TERNARY ALLOY SYNTHESIS FROM REDUCTION OF SODIUM- FLUOSILICATE AND NICKEL OXIDE

A new Al-Si-Ni high-temperature processed alloy has been obtained using sodium fluosilicate as a source of Si and nickel oxide as a source of Ni. Throughout the study, we tested the optimum parameters affecting the preparation of Al-Si-Ni ternary alloy; bath temperature, Na_2SiF_6/Altotal w.t ratio, Ni_2O_3/Altotal and reaction time. The optimum processing parameters are; temperature 950^oC, Na2SiF6/Altotal wt. ratio is 1, Ni_2O_3/Altotal wt. ratio is 0.082 and reaction time is 25 min. Some tests such as chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and microstructure examination were carried out on the produced alloys. The obtained results indicate that the produced alloys containing up to 10.75% Si and 2.86 Ni in the form of Al3Ni. The presence of eutectic Si and eutectic Al3Ni could form interconnected system and it can be used as high-performance alloys at elevated temperature.