Ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced micro-channel flat tube profile and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of aluminum processing, in particular to a ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced micro-channel flat tube profile which comprises the following components in percentage by mass: less than 0.12% of iron, silicon (Fe and Si), 0.4-0.8% of manganese (Mn), 0.5-1% of yttrium (Y), 0.01-0.1% of ceramic particles, less than 0.02% of other single impurities, less than 0.1% of total impurity content and the balance of aluminum (Al). The mass ratio of iron to silicon is 2-3, manganese Mn and yttrium Y are aluminum-based intermediate alloys, the ceramic particles are TiC ceramic particles, and the size of the TiC ceramic particles is smaller than or equal to 20 microns. The components of the aluminum alloy are redesigned, the impurity content of Fe and Si is reduced by controlling raw materials, the content of Mn is optimized and adjusted, rare earth Y is added, a large amount of TiC ceramic particle reinforcements which are uniformly dispersed in grains and grain boundaries are obtained, and the precipitated phase of the alloy is fine and uniform.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of aluminum processing, more particularly, to a ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced micro-channel flat tube profile and a preparation method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, the use of pure electric vehicles has become more and more common. In the process of normal operation of the vehicle, the lithium battery will generate a lot of heat, in order to ensure the safe operation of the lithium battery, the lithium battery of the electric vehicle needs to be managed, and the automobile condenser is an important part of the new energy vehicle thermal management system. The 1 series and 3 series aluminum alloy has good corrosion resistance and extrusion performance, is easy to punch and bend, has excellent weldability, and the micro-channel flat tube profile made of the same is a core component of the automobile condenser.

[0003] With the increase of the cruising range of new energy vehicles and the requirements of consumers for comfort and battery safety, the automobile condenser is developing towards lighter weight and higher thermal efficiency.

[0004] The traditional R22 refrigerant has high heat exchange efficiency, and the burst pressure is about 5 MPa, but the greenhouse gas effect is obvious, so more and more environmentally friendly refrigerants R134a, R407C and R410a are used in the industry. With the increase of heat exchange efficiency, the ultimate burst pressure of the micro-channel flat tube also rises to more than 11.5 MPa.

[0005] At present, the performance of 1 series and 3 series materials has been developed to the extreme, and in the case of unchanged condenser structure, in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency by using environmentally friendly refrigerants, new aluminum alloy materials must be developed, which have the characteristics of corrosion resistance, excellent heat exchange performance and higher burst pressure. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the 1 series and 3 series micro-channel flat tube profiles in the automobile condenser, the present application aims to provide a ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced micro-channel flat tube profile and a preparation method thereof. By controlling the composition and the production process, the internal organization uniformity of the product is improved, and the product has good pressure resistance and corrosion resistance.

[0007] The purpose of the present application is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0008] On the one hand, the present application provides a ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced micro-channel flat tube profile, and the composition components are as follows in terms of mass percentage:

[0009] Fe+Si <0.12%, Mn 0.4-0.8%, Y 0.5-1%, ceramic particles 0.01-0.1%, other single impurity content <0.02%, total impurity content <0.1%, and the balance is aluminum Al.

[0010] Furthermore, the mass ratio of iron to silicon is 2-3.

[0011] Furthermore, both manganese (Mn) and yttrium (Y) are aluminum-based master alloys.

[0012] Furthermore, the ceramic particles are TiC ceramic particles.

[0013] Furthermore, the TiC ceramic particle size is less than or equal to 20 μm.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] By redesigning the aluminum alloy composition, controlling the raw materials to reduce Fe and Si impurity content, optimizing the Mn content, and adding rare earth element Y, a large number of uniformly dispersed TiC ceramic particles within and at grain boundaries were obtained as reinforcements, resulting in fine and uniform alloy precipitates. In this invention, Mn can refine the aluminum matrix grains and provide excellent corrosion resistance, while Y can purify the melt and prevent the precipitation of second phases at grain boundaries, thus preventing the alloy from weakening its corrosion resistance. Most importantly, the TiC ceramic particles are smaller than 20 μm, have good bonding with the aluminum matrix, and exhibit excellent strength stability as a ceramic phase.

[0016] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a method for preparing the above-mentioned ceramic particles and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile, comprising the following steps:

[0017] S1. Add raw materials other than ceramic particles to a melting furnace and mix and melt to obtain alloy aluminum liquid. Then, purify the alloy aluminum liquid to obtain aluminum melt.

[0018] S2. Ceramic particles are added to the aluminum melt online, and aluminum alloy rods are obtained by continuous casting and rolling.

[0019] S3. Microchannel flat tube profiles are obtained by continuously extruding aluminum alloy rods.

[0020] Furthermore, in step S1, the purification process employs an inert gas blowing refining agent method. The inert gas is argon with a purity higher than 99.99%, and the flow rate is controlled at 10-20 L / min. The refining agent composition includes KCl and KF, and the refining time is controlled at 20-40 min.

[0021] Furthermore, in step S2, the method of adding ceramic particles is to add them to the chute using aluminum alloy wire containing TiC ceramic particles.

[0022] Furthermore, in step S2, the casting temperature of the continuous casting and rolling method is 730-780℃, the diameter of the aluminum rod is 9.5mm, and the aluminum rod winding temperature is above 200℃.

[0023] Furthermore, in step S3, the aluminum alloy rod is subjected to a Carmion continuous extrusion process with an extrusion roller diameter of 300 mm and a continuous extrusion speed of 10-20 rpm / min.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0025] By designing the aluminum alloy composition and introducing ceramic particles through a specific method, the aluminum alloy profile has excellent compressive strength. The resulting microchannel flat tube profile has a yield strength ≥50MPa and a burst pressure greater than 12MPa. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the preparation method of the ceramic particles and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this invention.

[0028] Figure 2 SEM image of uniformly distributed TiC ceramic particles in the ceramic particles and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile of this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1:

[0031] The ceramic particles and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this embodiment have the following composition by mass percentage: Fe 0.1%, Si 0.04%, Mn 0.41%, Yttrium (Y) 0.55%, TiC ceramic particles 0.02%, other individual impurities <0.02%, total impurities <0.1%, and the balance is aluminum (Al). The TiC ceramic particles have a size of 2 μm.

[0032] The preparation method of the ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0033] S1. Pure aluminum ingots, aluminum-manganese alloy, and aluminum-yttrium rare earth alloy are put into the melting furnace. After all the furnace materials are melted, they are stirred evenly. Then, argon gas is used to blow a refining agent with KCl and KF as the main components into the melt. The amount of refining agent is 2 kg / t. Before casting begins, the melt temperature is controlled at 750℃.

[0034] S2. Continuously add aluminum alloy wire containing TiC ceramic particles into the chute between the smelting furnace and the casting machine. The addition point is before the filter box. Introduce the composite aluminum melt into the continuous casting and rolling production line to make an aluminum alloy rod with a diameter of 9.5 mm. Control the casting temperature to 735℃ and the take-up temperature to 210℃.

[0035] S3. The aluminum alloy rod is made into a microchannel flat tube by continuous extrusion at a speed of 10 rpm / min.

[0036] Example 2:

[0037] The ceramic particles and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this embodiment have the following composition by mass percentage: Fe 0.08%, Si 0.04%, Mn 0.55%, Yttrium (Y) 0.71%, TiC ceramic particles 0.06%, other individual impurities <0.02%, total impurities <0.1%, and the balance is aluminum (Al). The TiC ceramic particles have a size of 10 μm.

[0038] The preparation method of the ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0039] S1. Pure aluminum ingots, aluminum-manganese alloy, and aluminum-yttrium rare earth alloy are put into the melting furnace. After all the furnace materials are melted, they are stirred evenly. Then, argon gas is used to blow a refining agent with KCl and KF as the main components into the melt. The amount of refining agent is 2 kg / t. Before casting begins, the melt temperature is controlled at 760℃.

[0040] S2. Continuously add aluminum alloy wire containing TiC ceramic particles into the chute between the smelting furnace and the casting machine. The addition point is before the filter box. Introduce the composite aluminum melt into the continuous casting and rolling production line to make an aluminum alloy rod with a diameter of 9.5 mm. Control the casting temperature to 740℃ and the take-up temperature to 250℃.

[0041] S3. The aluminum alloy rod is made into a microchannel flat tube by continuous extrusion at a speed of 12 rpm / min.

[0042] Example 3:

[0043] The ceramic particles and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this embodiment have the following composition by mass percentage: Fe 0.08%, Si 0.04%, Mn 0.6%, Yttrium (Y) 0.98%, TiC ceramic particles 0.09%, other individual impurities <0.02%, total impurities <0.1%, and the balance is aluminum (Al). The TiC ceramic particles have a size of 20 μm.

[0044] The preparation method of the ceramic particle and rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0045] S1. Pure aluminum ingots, aluminum-manganese alloy, and aluminum-yttrium rare earth alloy are put into the melting furnace. After all the furnace materials are melted, they are stirred evenly. Then, argon gas is used to blow a refining agent with KCl and KF as the main components into the melt. The amount of refining agent is 2 kg / t. Before casting begins, the melt temperature is controlled at 760℃.

[0046] S2. Continuously add aluminum alloy wire containing TiC ceramic particles into the chute between the smelting furnace and the casting machine. The addition point is before the filter box. Introduce the composite aluminum melt into the continuous casting and rolling production line to make an aluminum alloy rod with a diameter of 9.5 mm. Control the casting temperature to 745℃ and the take-up temperature to 250℃.

[0047] S3. The aluminum alloy rod is made into a microchannel flat tube by continuous extrusion at a speed of 15 rpm / min.

[0048] Comparative Examples 1 to 3:

[0049] The difference between Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 is that the mass percentages of manganese and yttrium are different, and the specific performance parameters of the resulting aluminum alloy profiles are shown in Table 1.

[0050] The differences between Comparative Examples 2 and 3 and Example 1 are as follows: the mass percentages of manganese and yttrium, the mass percentage of ceramic particles added, and the extrusion speed of the profiles are different. The specific performance parameters of the resulting aluminum alloy profiles are shown in Table 1.

[0051] Comparative Examples 4 to 6:

[0052] Comparative Examples 4 to 5 did not introduce TiC ceramic particles. The mass percentages of manganese and yttrium, extrusion speeds, and the performance parameters of the resulting aluminum alloy profiles are shown in Table 1.

[0053] Comparative Examples 7 to 9:

[0054] Comparative Examples 7 to 9 did not introduce rare earth yttrium (Y), and the mass percentages of manganese and TiC ceramic particles, the extrusion speed of the profiles, and the performance parameters of the resulting aluminum alloy profiles are shown in Table 1.

[0055] Table 1

[0056]

[0057] The results of the above embodiments and comparative examples show that, in this invention, by redesigning the aluminum alloy composition, the composite strengthening effect of rare earth elements and ceramic particles TiC on the microchannel flat tube profile is brought into play, resulting in an aluminum alloy material containing a large amount of uniformly dispersed ceramic reinforcement within and at the grain boundaries. This improves the yield strength and burst pressure of the microchannel flat tube profile made of this material, and has no significant negative impact on the corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity of the profile.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the concept and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile, characterized by, The composition ingredients are as follows in percentage by mass: Iron + silicon Fe+Si <0.12%, manganese Mn 0.4-0.8%, yttrium Y: 0.5-1%, ceramic particles 0.01-0.1%, other single impurity content <0.02%, total impurity content <0.1%, the balance being aluminum Al.

2. The ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 1, wherein, The mass ratio of iron to silicon is 2-3.

3. The ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 2, wherein, Manganese Mn and yttrium Y are both aluminum-based master alloys.

4. The ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 3, wherein, The ceramic particles are TiC ceramic particles.

5. The ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 4, wherein, The size of the TiC ceramic particles is less than or equal to 20 μm.

6. A method of producing a ceramic particle, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube profile according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: S1. Adding raw materials other than ceramic particles into a smelting furnace to mix and smelt to obtain an alloy aluminum liquid, purifying the alloy aluminum liquid to obtain an aluminum melt; S2. Adding ceramic particles to the aluminum melt on-line to obtain an aluminum alloy rod by continuous casting and rolling; S3. Continuously extruding the aluminum alloy rod to obtain a micro-channel flat tube profile.

7. The method of making a ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 6, wherein, In step S1, the purification uses the method of inert gas blowing refining agent, the inert gas is argon with a purity higher than 99.99%, the flow rate is controlled at 10-20 L / min, the refining agent composition includes KCl and KF, and the refining time is controlled at 20-40 min.

8. The method of making a ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 7, wherein, In step S2, the method of adding ceramic particles is to use an aluminum titanium carbon alloy wire containing TiC ceramic particles to add in a chute.

9. The method of making a ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 8, wherein, In step S2, the casting temperature of the continuous casting and rolling method is 730-780℃, the aluminum rod diameter is 9.5 mm, and the aluminum rod take-up temperature is above 200℃.

10. The method of making a ceramic particulate, rare earth composite reinforced microchannel flat tube section of claim 9, wherein, In step S3, the aluminum alloy rod is subjected to a Kangfeng continuous extrusion process, the extrusion wheel diameter is 300 mm, and the continuous extrusion speed is 10-20 rpm / min.

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