5. Glossary – Definitions

grain refiner

Substance introduced into a liquid aluminum bath to reduce grain size in solid metal. This substance introduces seeds into the metal, from which crystals grow during solidification. As each crystal eventually constitutes a grain of the solid metal, the multiplication of seeds increases the number of grains, thus reducing their average size.

foaming agent; blowing agent

A chemical compound in powder form, the decomposition of which produces a gas, used in certain liquid metal foaming processes. It should be noted that this term is also used in the theory of foaming aqueous liquids, but in this case designates a surfactant capable of stabilizing the foam (according to a stabilization mechanism that does not occur in metal foams).

reducing agent; reducing agent

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