Effects of Na2B4O7 on the elimination of iron from aluminum melt

A new approach for iron removal from commercial aluminum by the addition of Na2B4O7 was studied. The iron composition decreased from 0.33 to 0.18 wt.% after purification. X-ray diffraction analysis of the sludge indicated that the chemical reaction between B and Fe in the aluminum melt to form Fe2B is the main reason for the reduction in Fe. Thermodynamic calculations also prove the formation of an iron boride phase in the melt.