Oxidation of powdered alloys of aluminum and cerium during heating in air

The effect of cerium on the oxidation of powdered alloys of aluminum and ce rium during heating in air at temperatures up to 1773 K was studied using d erivatography, x-ray phase analysis, and thermal desorption of argon. It is established that the rate and completeness of the oxidation of aluminum in crease if it is alloyed with cerium. The effect of cerium is due to its pol yvalence, high reactivity, and surface activity toward aluminum. Structural and phase nonuniformities that arise during the growth of oxide phases on the surface of oxidized particles of the alloys enhance the interaction of these particles with air oxygen. It is shown that the assumptions that the surfaces of the alloys have a micrononuniform structure and are enriched wi th CeAl2 and CeAl4 groups are valid.