From metallurgy to food processing, dissolved gases in liquids or melts are stealthy menaces—ruining the texture of foods, disrupting chemical reactions, or making mechanical parts go awry. A degassing machine is a device designed to remove dissolved or entrained gases from materials for process stability and product quality. Though it has numerous applications, the aluminium degassing machine is a specialized metalworking machine that serves the particular requirements of purifying molten aluminium for high-performance applications.
The Basic Definition: What Is a Degassing Machine?
Basically, a degassing machine removes gases that reduce the strength of materials. The gases may be dissolved in the material (e.g., oxygen in water) or acquire them during processing (e.g., hydrogen in molten metal). The machine creates the conditions to evolve, adsorb, or separate these kinds of gases, as appropriate to the material properties.
In aluminum production, the aluminium degassing machine is highly specialized. It is directed at hydrogen—the principal impurity in liquid aluminium—and non-metallic inclusions (e.g., oxides). Liquid aluminium collects hydrogen from damp raw materials or damp air; as the metal solidifies, the solubility of hydrogen drops abruptly, with bubble formation causing porosity, cracking, or poor strength in finished components. By extracting the impurity from the melt, between the holding furnace and the casting line, this issue is eliminated by the aluminium degassing machine, and it has therefore become an indispensable machine in foundries today.
How Does a Degassing Machine Work? (With Special Reference to Aluminium)
Degassing machines adapt their method according to the material, but the aluminium degassing machine applies the conventional inert gas flotation principle— Optimised for high-temperature metal treatment:
- Inert Gas Injection: Pure argon or nitrogen (≥99.99% purity, dried to prevent contamination) is injected into the molten aluminium. Argon is used for high-purity alloy since it does not react, and nitrogen offers an economic option for general application.
- Microbubble Generation: A rotating blade—commonly graphite or corrosion-resistant Si₃N₄—releases the gas in very small bubbles (≤5mm diameter). Here is the key step: small bubbles provide 10–20 times more surface area for gas absorption than large bubbles.
- Adsorption & Diffusion of Gas: Hydrogen in the melt diffuses into the bubbles (because of partial pressure gradients, as the pressure of hydrogen within the bubbles is near zero). Meanwhile, non-metallic inclusions are drawn to the surfaces of the bubbles by surface tension.
- Separation: Hydrogen and impurities are transferred to the surface by bubbles and build up slag, which is then skimmed off. newer aluminium degassing machine designs incorporate baffles or float stoppers that prevent slag from re-introducing itself into the purified melt.
Top-of-the-line models can be equipped with ultrasonic technology, utilizing the power of cavitation to degas hydrogen without the aid of inert gas—a great option for the eco-conscious manufacturer. Top manufacturers like Jinan Hydeb Thermal Tech Co., Ltd. (HYDEB) have taken the process to new heights: their degassing systems utilize precision-engineered graphite or silicon nitride rotors to produce ultra-fine bubbles (0.1–0.3mm diameter), which optimize gas-liquid contact for maximum purification results.
Primary Degassing Machine Types (Aluminium being the Main Concern)
Degassing machines are categorized by application and operation mode, and three primary types are common in aluminium processing—each being represented by HYDEB's field-proven products:
1. Rotary Degassing Machines
The most common aluminium degassing machine, it uses a motor-driven rotor to distribute gas. It is offered in fixed and mobile varieties and is thus appropriate for batch production (e.g., crucible furnaces) or small foundries. Mobile variants can treat the melt directly in transfer ladles and are more versatile.
HYDEB Application Case: A mid-size Chinese Shandong foundry that manufactures auto parts had been suffering from chronic aluminium alloy wheel hub porosity, with a 12% scrap rate. By using HYDEB's mobile rotary degassing units—equipped with isostatic pressed graphite-silicon carbide rotors for superior wear resistance—the foundry achieved 60%+ degassing efficiency. The 3+ month service life of the rotors (2–3 times longer than that of standard graphite rotors) reduced downtime by 80%, and precise gas control reduced inert gas consumption by 20%. Scrap rates dropped to 2.8% after installation, which represented a material saving of $120,000 per annum.
2. Online Degassing Units
Installed between furnaces and casting machines in continuous casting lines, this aluminium degassing machine treats high volumes (up to 65 mt/h) without halting the process. It often features multi-rotor designs (1B1R to 3B3R) and sealed enclosures with high-silicon linings to prevent secondary oxidation—aerospace or automobile alloys suitable.
HYDEB Application Case: An aerospace parts manufacturer in Europe (supplying to Airbus suppliers) required stable hydrogen levels ≤0.1 mL/100g Al for high-precision turbine components. HYDEB supplied its BDU series box-type inline rotary degassing units with complete sealed chambers and melt surface anti-turbulence control. Rotor speed (100–500 RPM) and gas flow were controlled in real time by the system's PLC-based intelligent controls, and component wear was monitored remotely (as part of HYDEB's Jinan智能制造试点示范项目/Intelligent Manufacturing Pilot Project) with 72 hours' notice. The equipment delivered repeatable degassing performance in 24/7 continuous production, enabling the producer to meet aerospace-grade material specifications and secure a $2.3M annual supply contract.
3. Vacuum Degassing Machines
Used to achieve extremely low hydrogen content (≤0.05 mL/100g Al), this technology utilizes reduced pressure to force gas out of the melt. May be used in conjunction with an aluminium degassing machine for pre-heat, bulk hydrogen removal before vacuum treatment. Necessary for high-precision components like fan blades for jet engines.
HYDEB Application Case: An Indonesian high-purity aluminium foil producer was facing pinhole defects caused by residual hydrogen. HYDEB's hybrid system combined a pre-treatment rotary degasser (for bulk hydrogen removal) and a vacuum degassing unit. The pre-treatment phase reduced hydrogen content from 0.35 mL/100g Al to 0.12 mL/100g Al, minimizing the load on the vacuum system. Nano-insulated equipment components of HYDEB's equipment reduced melt temperature loss by 40%, eliminating re-heating and reducing gas costs by $30,000 annually. The final product was pinhole counts <2 per m², which is acceptable for food packaging export markets.
Major Parts of an Aluminium Degassing Machine
The functionality of an aluminium degassing machine depends on precision-engineered high-temperature (680–750°C) resistant components:
- Rotors: The heart of the machine. HYDEB offers two industry-best options: cost-saving graphite rotors (3–6-month service life) and high-performance silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) rotors with zero-wear properties and 2–5-year service life—Ideal for continuous high-stability production.
- Sealing & Insulation: HYDEB's closed-type furnaces utilize nano-insulation layers and high-silicon linings to seal in warmth and exclude air, lowering melt temperature and degassing efficiency. Their tiltable box structure also resolves residual aluminium build-up issues.
- Controls: PLC systems regulate rotor speed (300–600 RPM), gas flow, and treatment time. HYDEB enhances reliability through gas shortage alarms and remote运维平台/remote operation and maintenance platforms, reducing unplanned downtime by 70%.
Why the Aluminium Degassing Machine is Indispensable
The aluminium degassing machine delivers tangible value throughout the production process—benefits consistently achieved by HYDEB's installations:
- Quality Improvement: HYDEB systems always reduce hydrogen content to ≤0.1 mL/100g Al, porosity is avoided and tensile strength improved by up to 30%.
- Cost Savings: Customers realize scrap rate reduction of 15% to <3%, and 20–30% in inert gas and energy consumption. A medium-sized aluminium company melting 10,000 tons of melt per annum saved $45,000 in energy cost alone through HYDEB's insulation and smart gas control.
- Application Versatility: From micron-thin foil (pinhole prevention) to aerospace turbine parts (high structural integrity), HYDEB's 120-patented technologies are versatile to accommodate different production needs, addressing the requirements of 8+ countries' customers.
Conclusion
A degassing machine safeguards the material's integrity, and the aluminium degassing machine is a staple of modern metal manufacturing. HYDEB reset industry standards when they made inert gas purification an exacting, cost-effective process—eliminating the insidious threat of hydrogen and inclusions with 22 years of focused expertise. For batch casting or continuous aerospace production, HYDEB degassing systems prove equipment can be more than a machine: it's an investment in quality, productivity, and competitiveness.
As lightweighting and new materials drive industry growth, the use of sophisticated aluminium degassing machines can only increase. Players like HYDEB will continue to lead this growth, taking aluminium to new levels with intelligent design, longer-lasting components, and environmental friendliness.
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