Abstract: ALUMINIUM-BASED GRAIN REFINER, which contains zinc, titanium and carbon, synthesized by means of aluminium fusion and the subsequent addition of titanium, zinc and carbon. The microstructure of the master alloy is comprised by an alpha-aluminium matrix, intermetallic phase of TiAl3 and fine particles of a ternary compound of titanium-zinc-carbide. The titanium content is at least 1% and at the most 20%, the carbon content is at least 0.01% (100 ppm) and at the most 3% and the zinc content is equal to or over 1%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an alloy containing titanium carbide particles, the method comprising thoroughly dispersing carbon powder particles into a metal melt, and causing the dispersed carbon particles to react with titanium within the metal melt so as to produce a dispersion of fine particles comprising titanium carbide within the melt. A preferred use for alloys produced by the invention is as a grain refiner for aluminium-based metals, especially those containing zirconium, chromium and/or manganese, which tend to poison current titanium-boron-aluminium grain refiners.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an alloy containing titanium carbide particles, the method comprising thoroughly dispersing carbon powder particles into a metal melt, and causing the dispersed carbon particles to react with titanium within the metal melt so as to produce a dispersion of fine particles comprising titanium carbide within the melt. A preferred use for alloys produced by the invention is as a grain refiner for aluminium-based metals, especially those containing zirconium, chromium and/or manganese, which tend to poison current titanium-boron-aluminium grain refiners.