Abstract: In the electrolytic production of aluminum by electrowinning or electrorefining processes, cell components such as cathode current feeders which in use are normally covered with molten aluminum are made of a composite material of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or intermetallic compound with an aluminum oxycompound, usually alumina, and possibly containing minor amounts of additives such as borides carbides, nitrides or oxides. The composite material, which remains mechanically stable and electrically conductive at 1000.degree. C., may be prepared by hot pressing powders at 1000.degree.-1700.degree. C. possibly after surface treating the alumina to improve wettability by molten Al. The components are optionally coated, e.g. with TiB.sub.2. The composite materials are also useful as non-current carrying components, including separator walls, weirs, packing elements and baffles.

Abstract: A method of electrowinning a metal such as aluminum from e.g. a cryolite based melt containing alumina employs an enode having as its operative surface a protective coating which is maintained by the presence of constituents of the coating dissolved in the melt. The protective coating is preferably a fluorine-containing cerium oxycompound electro-deposited in-situ from cerium species dissolved in a fluoride-based melt.

Abstract: A component for an aluminum production cell comprising a refractory matrix having a rigid porous structure substantially filled with aluminum.