Guide to Flux Solutions for Melting Nonferrous Metals

In the metal smelting industry, professionals consistently face challenges including zinc volatilization, impurity removal, furnace wall scaling, and the flammable nature of magnesium alloys. These issues not only impact metal purity and recovery rates but also drive up production costs and safety risks. This comprehensive guide explores specialized fluxes that address these critical pain points across various smelting processes.

Designed specifically for brass containing over 8% zinc (excluding manganese bronze), AlucoFlux YB forms a dry, powdery slag layer that effectively minimizes zinc loss. This protective covering simultaneously absorbs impurities, resulting in cleaner molten metal with improved fluidity for casting.

This multi-purpose flux serves various copper and bronze alloys by maintaining furnace cleanliness, reducing zinc volatilization, minimizing fume generation, and creating glass-like slag for easy removal. Its comprehensive benefits extend to improved working conditions and extended equipment lifespan.

As an oxidizing flux for copper, brass, and bronze, AlucoFlux PC effectively removes aluminum and iron impurities while reducing hydrogen content through oxidation. Post-treatment with deoxidizers is essential to achieve optimal metal quality.

This high-efficiency deoxidizer eliminates the need for nitrogen degassing in copper-nickel alloys, aluminum bronze, manganese bronze, and pure copper. It additionally clears oxide buildup in induction furnace channels, maintaining optimal equipment performance.

Specialized for high-zinc brass alloys, this flux creates a protective barrier against zinc volatilization while aggregating non-metallic impurities for easier skimming, resulting in higher metal purity.

Effective for both gas-fired and electric induction furnaces, this flux cleans furnace walls, crucibles, and induction channels while dissolving suspended oxides. Its molten covering layer prevents excessive oxidation and reduces gas absorption.

This upgraded version offers superior oxide and slag removal capabilities, ensuring cleaner equipment and more efficient smelting operations for aluminum bronze alloys.

Specifically formulated for reverberatory furnaces, this flux melts and softens oxide and slag-metal deposits without damaging alumina refractories, facilitating easier removal and maintaining furnace efficiency.

This economical version is optimized for flux gun applications, effectively removing oxide buildup across various aluminum smelting equipment (excluding resistance rod furnaces).

Containing fluoride compounds, this powerful cleaner tackles stubborn deposits on furnace walls and crucibles, restoring surfaces to optimal conditions.

This dual-purpose flux prevents oxide accumulation on reverberatory and resistance rod furnaces while serving as an effective cover flux to minimize magnesium loss during addition processes.

These specialized fluxes create liquid protective layers that prevent oxidation and combustion while purifying metal by combining with oxides. The series includes:

• MG-1: Forms highly fluid protective layers (minimum 1/4" thickness) with fire prevention capabilities
• MG-5: Environmentally friendly barium-free formulation
• MG-8: Modified version producing thicker, more viscous protective layers

This exothermic flux creates lightweight, powdery slag for easy removal in zinc, lead, tin, and antimony alloys. Optimal results are achieved when used with power mixers.

Formulated for pre-flux baths (20°-30° Baumé hot water solutions), this environmentally conscious solution minimizes fume generation while improving coating quality and corrosion resistance.

This low-fume option creates a flowing liquid cover that rapidly reforms after workpiece immersion, ensuring continuous galvanizing efficiency.

Modern metal smelting operations rely on specialized fluxes to address critical challenges including material loss, impurity contamination, equipment maintenance, and safety concerns. The strategic selection and application of these solutions significantly enhance production efficiency, product quality, and operational safety across various metallurgical processes.