Covering Flux vs Refining Flux vs Furnace Cleaning Flux: What Is the Difference?
Author : Jack wang | Published On : 18 Sep 2026
Covering flux, refining flux, and furnace cleaning flux are three different types of aluminum melt-treatment fluxes, and they should not be treated as interchangeable products. Covering flux is primarily used to protect the surface of molten aluminum from oxidation and gas absorption; refining flux is used to assist molten-metal purification, including degassing and inclusion or slag removal; furnace cleaning flux is formulated to remove accumulated oxide and slag from furnace walls and bottoms. The correct choice depends on the aluminum alloy, melt condition, treatment objective, furnace condition, and casting process.
AdTech China manufactures aluminum melt-treatment products including covering flux, refining flux, deslagging flux, furnace cleaning/oxide removal flux, granular flux, and recycling-related fluxes, together with online degassing equipment, ceramic foam filters, deep-bed filtration equipment, cartridge filters, launders, and other aluminum casting products.
The simplest way to understand the difference is:
| Flux Type | Primary Purpose | Main Treatment Target |
|---|---|---|
| Covering Flux | Protect the molten-metal surface | Oxidation, gas exposure, metal loss |
| Refining Flux | Purify molten aluminum | Hydrogen, oxides, non-metallic inclusions, slag |
| Furnace Cleaning Flux | Clean the furnace | Oxide and hard slag deposits on walls and bottom |
These three products can be used in the same aluminum production process, but they perform different jobs.
Covering Flux vs Refining Flux vs Furnace Cleaning Flux at a Glance
Before looking at the details, the difference can be summarized as follows:
Covering Flux
Protect the aluminum melt.
Covering flux is applied to the surface of molten aluminum to form a protective layer that reduces contact with oxidizing gases and helps reduce oxidation-related metal loss.
Refining Flux
Clean and refine the aluminum melt.
Refining flux is introduced into the molten aluminum to promote contact between the flux and metal and assist in removing gases, oxides, and other non-metallic impurities.
Furnace Cleaning Flux
Clean the furnace itself.
Furnace cleaning flux is used against accumulated oxide and hard slag on furnace walls and bottoms. It is intended to improve furnace cleanliness and restore usable furnace volume and metal-flow conditions.
The key distinction is therefore:
Covering flux treats the surface environment, refining flux treats the molten metal, and furnace cleaning flux treats the furnace deposits.
1. What Is Covering Flux?
Covering flux is an aluminum casting flux designed primarily to protect the surface of molten aluminum.
Aluminum readily oxidizes when exposed to the atmosphere. During melting and holding, continuous exposure of the molten-metal surface can contribute to oxide formation and metal loss.
A properly selected covering flux melts and spreads across the surface, forming a protective layer.
AdTech describes its covering flux as a product intended to prevent oxidation and gas absorption during aluminum-alloy casting. Its published product information explains that the flux is heat-treated to remove absorbed and crystal water and screened to obtain a relatively uniform particle size.
Main functions of covering flux
Covering flux can be used to:
- Protect the molten aluminum surface
- Reduce oxidation
- Reduce oxidation-related metal loss
- Reduce additional oxide formation
- Help maintain melt cleanliness during holding
- Provide a barrier between molten aluminum and the furnace atmosphere
- Help prevent gas reabsorption after refining
AdTech's published covering-flux information specifically describes the formation of a dense protective layer over the molten aluminum surface.
How Does Covering Flux Work?
After the aluminum has melted, covering flux is distributed over the molten-metal surface.
The flux melts and spreads across the surface.
The resulting layer acts as a physical barrier between:
Molten Aluminum
and
Oxidizing Furnace Atmosphere
This can reduce direct exposure of the aluminum surface to the atmosphere.
The principle can be represented as:
Molten Aluminum + Oxygen Exposure
↓
Oxidation / Oxide Formation
versus:
Molten Aluminum
↓
Covering Flux Layer
↓
Reduced Atmospheric Exposure
The purpose is therefore mainly surface protection, not deep filtration.
Covering Flux Is Not the Same as Refining Flux
This is one of the most important distinctions for aluminum foundries.
Covering flux primarily works at or near the surface.
Refining flux is intended to interact with the molten metal more directly.
Therefore, a covering flux should not automatically be substituted for a refining flux when the objective is hydrogen or inclusion control.
Likewise, a refining flux should not automatically be used as a furnace-surface covering product.
The formulation, melting behavior, application method, and intended metallurgical function can be different.
AdTech Covering Flux
AdTech's published covering-flux portfolio includes 560CF and 580CF.
The product information describes different applications according to alloy chemistry.
For example, the published information describes:
- 550CF as a sodium-containing type for aluminum and lower-magnesium aluminum alloys.
- 580CF as a sodium-free type for higher-magnesium aluminum alloys and strontium-modified aluminum alloys.
The listed recommended dosage is approximately 0.5–1.5 kg per ton of aluminum under the stated conditions.
This illustrates an important purchasing principle:
Covering flux should be selected according to the aluminum alloy, not simply according to the generic term “aluminum covering flux.”
2. What Is Refining Flux?
Refining flux is used to treat molten aluminum and assist in removing unwanted gases, oxides, inclusions, and slag.
Unlike covering flux, refining flux is intended to interact with the molten metal rather than simply remain as a protective surface layer.
AdTech's published refining-flux information describes gas-carried injection, using nitrogen or argon to transport the flux into molten aluminum. The resulting fine bubbles increase contact between the treatment medium and molten aluminum, while components of the flux can interact with oxides and impurities and help bring them toward the surface for removal.
The basic principle can be represented as:
Refining Flux + Carrier Gas
↓
Injection Into Molten Aluminum
↓
Gas / Flux / Metal Contact
↓
Hydrogen + Oxides + Other Impurities
↓
Float to Surface
↓
Dross Removal
What Does Refining Flux Remove?
Depending on the formulation, refining flux can assist with:
- Dissolved hydrogen
- Oxide inclusions
- Non-metallic inclusions
- Slag
- Certain alkali metals
- Specific alloy-related impurities
The exact performance depends heavily on the formulation and application conditions.
It is therefore incorrect to assume that every refining flux removes exactly the same impurities.
A professional aluminum flux manufacturer should specify:
- Intended alloy
- Treatment temperature
- Dosage
- Carrier gas
- Injection method
- Target impurities
- Recommended treatment time
- Expected application results
Refining Flux and Hydrogen Removal
Hydrogen is an important concern in molten aluminum because dissolved hydrogen can contribute to porosity during solidification.
Refining flux can assist with gas removal under suitable treatment conditions.
However, refining flux should not automatically be described as equivalent to an online rotary degassing system.
These are different technologies.
Refining Flux
Uses chemical and physical flux treatment, often combined with a carrier gas.
Online Degassing Equipment
Uses a rotor to disperse fine inert-gas bubbles through molten aluminum.
AdTech manufactures both refining flux and online degassing equipment, so these technologies can be considered as complementary parts of a broader aluminum melt-purification process.
For demanding aluminum casting operations, the process may therefore be:
Flux Refining → Online Degassing → Filtration
rather than treating flux and degassing as mutually exclusive alternatives.
Refining Flux and Inclusion Removal
Refining flux can also assist in removing oxide and other non-metallic inclusions.
This is particularly important because aluminum can generate oxide films during melting and transfer.
The flux can interact with these materials and help bring them to the surface for removal.
However, refining flux should not be confused with a ceramic foam filter.
Refining Flux
Chemical + physical melt treatment
Ceramic Foam Filter
Physical filtration of suspended inclusions
These technologies can complement each other.
For example:
Refining Flux
↓
Online Degassing
↓
Ceramic Foam Filter
↓
Casting
can provide multiple stages of melt treatment.
3. What Is Furnace Cleaning Flux?
Furnace cleaning flux, also called oxide removal flux in some applications, is specifically designed to remove accumulated oxide and hard slag from the interior surfaces of aluminum melting or holding furnaces.
This is fundamentally different from treating the molten aluminum itself.
During repeated aluminum melting cycles, oxide and slag can accumulate on:
- Furnace walls
- Furnace bottom
- Corners
- Metal-contact areas
- Refractory surfaces
Over time, these deposits can reduce effective furnace volume and interfere with molten-metal movement.
AdTech's STOVE360 oxide removal flux is specifically developed for removing oxide deposits from furnace walls and bottoms after aluminum or aluminum-alloy melting. Its published description states that accumulation can reduce refractory life, reduce usable furnace volume, and negatively affect molten-aluminum flow.
How Does Furnace Cleaning Flux Work?
AdTech's published STOVE360 process uses the flux at elevated furnace temperature.
The documented process includes:
- Complete aluminum melting.
- Increase furnace temperature to approximately 850–950°C under the stated application procedure.
- Spray the oxide-removal flux onto the furnace bottom and walls where slag has accumulated.
- Close the furnace gate for approximately 5–10 minutes.
- Allow the flux to react with the accumulated deposits.
- Open the furnace.
- Gently stir the flux/slag mixture.
- Remove the loosened slag.
The product information recommends approximately 2.5–3.0 kg per ton of aluminum for the specified application.
These figures are product-specific operating instructions and should not be generalized to every furnace-cleaning flux.
Why Does Furnace Cleaning Matter?
Furnace cleaning is not simply a housekeeping task.
Accumulated oxide can affect the operating condition of the furnace.
Potential consequences include:
- Reduced effective furnace volume
- Poorer molten-metal flow
- Increased refractory contamination
- Increased manual cleaning requirements
- Reduced furnace availability
- Potential impact on furnace service life
AdTech specifically states that its oxide-removal flux is intended to support continuous aluminum alloy casting, improve quality and output, extend furnace service life, and reduce manual labor.
Therefore, furnace cleaning can be considered part of process maintenance and production efficiency, rather than merely waste removal.
Covering Flux vs Refining Flux vs Furnace Cleaning Flux
The following table provides the most useful purchasing-level comparison.
| Parameter | Covering Flux | Refining Flux | Furnace Cleaning Flux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary target | Melt surface | Molten aluminum | Furnace deposits |
| Main purpose | Surface protection | Melt purification | Furnace cleaning |
| Reduces oxidation exposure | Yes | Not primary purpose | No |
| Assists hydrogen removal | Limited/application dependent | Yes, depending on formulation | No |
| Removes oxide inclusions | Limited | Yes | Removes furnace deposits |
| Removes furnace-wall oxide | No | No | Yes |
| Used directly on melt surface | Yes | Usually injected/distributed into melt | Applied to furnace deposits |
| Typical carrier gas | Optional | N₂ / Ar for suitable systems | Can use gas as carrier for spray application |
| Dross treatment | Secondary | Yes, formulation dependent | Yes, during deposit removal |
| Main objective | Protect metal | Clean metal | Clean furnace |
| Typical timing | During holding | During melt treatment | During furnace cleaning cycle |
The important point is that the three products are complementary, not simply competing alternatives.
Can Covering Flux, Refining Flux, and Furnace Cleaning Flux Be Used Together?
Yes.
In some aluminum casting operations, all three may be used at different stages of the process.
A simplified process could be:
1. Aluminum Melting
↓
2. Furnace Cleaning
Use furnace-cleaning/oxide-removal flux when accumulated deposits require treatment.
↓
3. Refining
Use refining flux to assist with molten-metal purification.
↓
4. Dross Removal
Remove treated dross and inclusions.
↓
5. Covering
Apply covering flux to protect the molten-metal surface during holding.
↓
6. Online Degassing
Use dedicated degassing equipment if required.
↓
7. Filtration
Use ceramic foam filtration, deep-bed filtration, or cartridge filtration according to the required cleanliness.
↓
8. Launder / Flow Control
Transport and control the purified aluminum.
↓
9. Casting
This illustrates why flux should be considered one component of the overall aluminum melt-treatment system.
Which Flux Should I Use for My Aluminum Alloy?
The answer depends on the problem you are trying to solve.
If Your Main Problem Is Surface Oxidation
Consider:
Covering Flux
The primary purpose is to form a protective surface layer and reduce atmospheric exposure.
If Your Main Problem Is Hydrogen or Melt Cleanliness
Consider:
Refining Flux
Depending on the alloy and process, refining flux can assist with degassing and inclusion/oxide removal.
For demanding hydrogen-control requirements, evaluate whether an online degassing system should also be included.
If Your Main Problem Is Furnace-Wall Oxide
Consider:
Furnace Cleaning / Oxide Removal Flux
The objective is to remove accumulated deposits from the furnace rather than primarily treating the bulk molten aluminum.
If Your Main Problem Is Aluminum Loss in Dross
Consider:
Deslagging Flux
This is actually a fourth category that should not be confused with the three products above.
AdTech's 622DF and 633DF are examples of deslagging-flux formulations. The published product information describes aluminum/slag separation and dross treatment applications.
This distinction is important because:
Furnace Cleaning Flux ≠ Deslagging Flux
Furnace cleaning flux focuses on deposits attached to furnace surfaces.
Deslagging flux focuses on the separation and treatment of molten aluminum and dross/slag.
Covering Flux vs Refining Flux: The Most Common Confusion
Among aluminum foundries, one of the most common purchasing mistakes is assuming that covering flux and refining flux are interchangeable because both are called “aluminum flux.”
They are not.
Covering Flux
The primary objective is:
Protect
Refining Flux
The primary objective is:
Purify
A covering flux may help reduce oxidation-related contamination, but that does not make it a substitute for a properly selected refining treatment.
Likewise, a refining flux may have some surface-treatment effect, but that does not mean it is the appropriate product for long-term melt coverage.
The formulation must match the metallurgical objective.
Refining Flux vs Furnace Cleaning Flux
These two are also frequently confused.
Refining Flux
Target:
Molten aluminum
Typical objective:
Remove gases, oxides, inclusions, and selected impurities
Furnace Cleaning Flux
Target:
Furnace wall and bottom deposits
Typical objective:
Loosen and remove accumulated oxide and hard slag
Therefore, if the furnace wall is heavily covered with oxide, simply increasing the amount of refining flux is not necessarily an appropriate solution.
The furnace requires a dedicated cleaning operation.
Furnace Cleaning Flux vs Deslagging Flux
These products can sound similar because both are associated with slag.
However, the target is different.
Deslagging Flux
Works primarily on:
Molten-metal dross / slag
The goal is to improve aluminum/slag separation and reduce aluminum loss during slag removal.
AdTech's 622DF is described as a sodium-free inclusion-separating and deslagging flux, while 633DF is described as a multifunctional deslagging formulation that can also be used for covering, aluminum/slag separation, furnace cleaning, and purification under its specified applications.
Furnace Cleaning Flux
Works primarily on:
Accumulated deposits attached to the furnace
The goal is to clean the furnace walls and bottom.
This is an important distinction when preparing an RFQ.
How Should an Aluminum Foundry Select the Correct Flux?
A professional selection process should begin with the problem, not the product name.
Ask these questions:
Question 1: What are we trying to remove or prevent?
- Oxidation?
- Hydrogen?
- Oxide inclusions?
- Dross?
- Furnace-wall deposits?
- Sodium?
- Magnesium?
- Other impurities?
Question 2: Where is the problem?
- Melt surface?
- Bulk molten metal?
- Furnace wall?
- Furnace bottom?
- Dross layer?
Question 3: What alloy are we processing?
The alloy chemistry matters because certain flux formulations are more appropriate for specific alloy systems.
Question 4: What is the melt temperature?
Flux performance is temperature dependent.
Question 5: What is the furnace size?
Dosage and application method depend on the quantity of molten aluminum and furnace configuration.
Question 6: What treatment equipment is available?
For example:
- Manual application
- Refining tank
- Gas injection
- Rotary degassing
- Flux injection system
Question 7: What happens after flux treatment?
Is the metal subsequently:
- Filtered?
- Degassed?
- Cast into billet?
- Cast into slab?
- Rolled?
- Used for foil stock?
- Used for automotive components?
These downstream requirements can influence the appropriate melt-treatment strategy.
How Flux Fits Into an Aluminum Melt Purification System
Flux should not be evaluated in isolation.
A modern aluminum casting plant may use several complementary technologies.
Stage 1: Furnace
Melting and alloying.
↓
Stage 2: Flux Treatment
Covering, refining, or deslagging according to the process.
↓
Stage 3: Online Degassing
Hydrogen reduction and melt treatment.
↓
Stage 4: Filtration
Ceramic foam filter, deep-bed filter, or cartridge filtration.
↓
Stage 5: Launder
Controlled molten-aluminum transportation.
↓
Stage 6: Flow Control
Regulate metal delivery to the casting machine.
↓
Stage 7: Casting
Final solidification.
AdTech's product portfolio spans these different stages, including fluxes, online degassing equipment, ceramic foam filters, deep-bed equipment, cartridge filtration, integrated launders, and automatic flow-control systems.
This broader product relationship is useful for aluminum producers that want to evaluate melt purification as a complete process rather than selecting each component independently.
How AdTech's Flux Portfolio Maps to the Three Applications
AdTech's aluminum flux products can be organized according to their primary application.
Surface Protection
Covering Flux
Examples include the 560CF / 580CF product family described in AdTech's product information.
Molten-Metal Refining
Refining Flux
AdTech provides multiple refining formulations, including granular and powder-based products for different aluminum-alloy applications. Its published granular refining-flux information describes carrier-gas injection using nitrogen or argon and physical/chemical interaction with the molten metal.
Furnace Maintenance
Furnace Cleaning / Oxide Removal Flux
AdTech's STOVE360 is specifically positioned for removing oxide and hard slag deposits from furnace walls and bottoms.
Dross Treatment
Deslagging Flux
AdTech's 622DF and 633DF are published for deslagging and aluminum/slag separation applications.
This gives the product portfolio a clear functional structure:
Protect → Refine → Clean → Deslag
Why Flux Formulation Matters
Two products can both be labeled “aluminum flux” but behave differently in actual production.
Important formulation characteristics include:
- Melting point
- Viscosity after melting
- Fluidity
- Particle size
- Moisture content
- Chemical composition
- Reactivity with oxides
- Compatibility with the alloy
- Dross interaction
- Application temperature
- Dosage
AdTech states that its covering flux undergoes heat treatment to remove absorbed and crystal water and screening to obtain relatively uniform particle size.
For granular flux, AdTech also specifies storage practices intended to prevent moisture exposure and recommends sealing opened packaging before use.
This is why a serious purchasing evaluation should include technical data rather than comparing only price per kilogram.
Does More Flux Mean Better Results?
No.
Flux dosage must be controlled.
Too little flux may fail to achieve the intended treatment.
Too much flux can create unnecessary:
- Flux consumption
- Dross
- Residue
- Processing cost
- Potential contamination
- Waste-treatment requirements
AdTech publishes product-specific dosage recommendations. For example, its covering-flux information lists approximately 0.5–1.5 kg/t, while its STOVE360 furnace-cleaning procedure lists approximately 2.5–3.0 kg/t for the specified cleaning application. Its deslagging products are listed at approximately 1.0–2.0 kg/t under their stated conditions.
These numbers should not be generalized across flux types.
The correct dosage should be determined according to:
Product formulation + alloy + melt condition + treatment objective + operating temperature
What Information Should You Give a Flux Manufacturer?
When asking an aluminum flux manufacturer for a recommendation, provide:
| Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Aluminum alloy | Determines suitable formulation |
| Furnace type | Determines application method |
| Melt quantity | Determines dosage |
| Melt temperature | Determines flux behavior |
| Main problem | Determines flux category |
| Current flux | Allows comparison |
| Current dosage | Helps evaluate consumption |
| Dross condition | Indicates treatment requirement |
| Hydrogen level | Helps determine refining needs |
| Inclusion level | Helps determine purification requirements |
| Furnace deposits | Determines cleaning requirement |
| Carrier gas | Important for gas-injected refining |
| Casting product | Determines cleanliness requirements |
For example, a buyer should not simply send:
“Please quote aluminum flux.”
A more useful RFQ would say:
“We cast 6063 aluminum alloy, process approximately 20 tons per furnace, operate at approximately 720–740°C, and need a flux for surface protection during holding.”
That information allows the manufacturer to determine whether a covering flux is appropriate.
Can Flux Replace Filtration?
Generally, flux and filtration should be viewed as different treatment stages.
A refining flux can help remove or float certain inclusions and impurities.
A ceramic foam filter physically captures suspended non-metallic inclusions as molten aluminum passes through its porous structure.
Therefore:
Flux Treatment ≠ Ceramic Foam Filtration
For higher cleanliness requirements, both may be used.
A representative process is:
Refining Flux
↓
Online Degassing
↓
Ceramic Foam Filter
↓
Clean Molten Aluminum
This multi-stage approach is particularly relevant to aluminum products where inclusion control is important.
AdTech supplies both the flux products and filtration technologies needed for such integrated processes.
Can Flux Replace Online Degassing?
Not automatically.
Refining flux can assist with gas removal under appropriate conditions, but online rotary degassing is a dedicated technology for treating dissolved gases in molten aluminum.
AdTech's online degassing equipment uses a rotor to disperse gas into the molten aluminum and forms part of the company's broader aluminum purification equipment portfolio.
For demanding production lines, the two technologies can be complementary:
Flux Refining + Online Degassing + Filtration
The correct process should be established based on the actual hydrogen level, inclusion requirements, alloy, throughput, and product specification.
Which Flux Does AdTech Manufacture?
AdTech's aluminum flux portfolio includes several functional categories:
Covering Flux
Designed for molten-metal surface protection.
Refining Flux
Designed for molten-metal refining and purification.
Granular Refining Flux
Designed for gas-carried injection and controlled melt treatment.
Deslagging Flux
Designed for aluminum/slag separation and dross treatment.
Furnace Cleaning / Oxide Removal Flux
Designed for removing accumulated furnace-wall and furnace-bottom oxide deposits.
Recycling Flux
Designed for applications involving recycled aluminum and melt treatment.
This product structure allows AdTech to match the flux type to the actual process requirement instead of treating all aluminum flux applications as the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between covering flux and refining flux?
Covering flux primarily protects the molten aluminum surface from oxidation and atmospheric exposure. Refining flux is introduced into or distributed through molten aluminum to assist with degassing, oxide/inclusion removal, and other purification functions.
What is furnace cleaning flux?
Furnace cleaning flux is a specialized flux used to loosen and remove accumulated oxide and hard slag deposits from the walls and bottom of aluminum melting or holding furnaces.
Can covering flux replace refining flux?
Generally, no. The two products have different primary functions. Covering flux protects the melt surface, while refining flux is intended for molten-metal purification.
Can refining flux clean the furnace?
Some formulations may have cleaning or deslagging effects, but a dedicated furnace-cleaning/oxide-removal flux is designed specifically for deposits accumulated on furnace walls and bottoms.
Is furnace cleaning flux the same as deslagging flux?
No. Furnace cleaning flux primarily targets deposits attached to furnace surfaces. Deslagging flux primarily treats dross/slag and assists in separating aluminum from the slag.
What flux should I use for aluminum casting?
The correct flux depends on the treatment objective. Use covering flux for surface protection, refining flux for melt purification, furnace-cleaning flux for furnace deposits, and deslagging flux for aluminum/slag separation.
Can aluminum flux remove hydrogen?
Some refining flux formulations can assist with hydrogen removal, particularly when used with an appropriate carrier gas. For stringent hydrogen-control requirements, dedicated online degassing equipment should also be evaluated.
What gas is used with refining flux?
Nitrogen or argon can be used as a carrier gas for appropriate gas-injection refining systems. AdTech's published refining-flux information describes N₂ or Ar carrier-gas application.
How much covering flux should be used?
AdTech's published covering-flux specifications list approximately 0.5–1.5 kg per ton of aluminum for the specified products and conditions. The correct dosage should follow the specific product and alloy application.
How much furnace-cleaning flux should be used?
AdTech's STOVE360 instructions specify approximately 2.5–3.0 kg per ton of aluminum for its described furnace-cleaning process. This is a product-specific recommendation and should not be applied to other formulations without technical confirmation.
Does AdTech manufacture all three types of flux?
Yes. AdTech's product portfolio includes covering flux, refining flux, and furnace-cleaning/oxide-removal flux, in addition to deslagging, granular, and recycling-related flux products.
Does AdTech also manufacture aluminum filtration equipment?
Yes. AdTech's broader portfolio includes ceramic foam filters, alumina filter media, plate-type filtration equipment, deep-bed filtration equipment, cartridge filtration equipment, online degassing equipment, launders, and flow-control systems.
Conclusion: Covering Flux, Refining Flux, or Furnace Cleaning Flux?
The three products solve three different aluminum-production problems:
Covering Flux
Protects the molten aluminum surface.
Use it when the main objective is to reduce oxidation and atmospheric exposure during melting or holding.
Refining Flux
Treats the molten aluminum.
Use it when the objective is melt purification, including assistance with hydrogen, oxides, inclusions, or dross, depending on the formulation.
Furnace Cleaning Flux
Cleans the furnace.
Use it when oxide and hard slag have accumulated on the furnace walls or bottom and are affecting furnace operation.
And there is a fourth product that should be kept separate:
Deslagging Flux
Separates aluminum from dross/slag.
These products are not simply alternative versions of the same material. They occupy different positions within the aluminum melt-treatment process.
A modern aluminum casting plant may therefore use:
Covering Flux
Refining Flux
Online Degassing
Ceramic Foam Filter / Deep Bed Filter
Deslagging Flux
Furnace Cleaning Flux
depending on the alloy, production process, melt-quality requirements, and furnace condition.
AdTech China provides these flux categories together with online degassing equipment, ceramic foam filters, deep-bed filtration equipment, cartridge filtration, alumina filter media, integrated launders, flow-control systems, and aluminum casting components. This makes it possible to evaluate flux treatment as part of a complete aluminum melt-purification and casting process rather than as an isolated consumable.
For aluminum foundries and aluminum alloy producers, the most useful starting point is therefore not “Which aluminum flux is the best?” but:
“What problem are we trying to solve in the molten aluminum or furnace?”
Once the target is identified—surface protection, melt refining, dross separation, or furnace cleaning—the appropriate flux category can be selected more accurately.
