An innovative way to utilize deep-sea manganese nodules is described in this paper. The manganese nodules were reduced by aluminothermy and subsequently added into aluminum as a mixture of alloying elements in their natural ratio. The microstructure and properties of aluminum alloys containing 1.2, 7.7, and 9.7 wt % of reduced nodules were studied. The alloys were formed by Al matrix and minor amounts of Al₆(Fe,Mn) and Al₁₁Fe₇ intermetallic phases. The alloys containing a higher amount of reduced nodules are characterized by very good thermal stability. The obtained alloys were studied by X-ray diffraction, their microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and their local chemical composition was analyzed by energy dispersive spectrometer. The hardness of the samples was measured on the initial materials and after long-term annealing. Based on the obtained results, the aluminum alloys, with the addition of reduced deep-sea nodules, can serve as precursors for processing, e.g., by rapid solidification or hot working methods.

中文翻译：

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铝合金和减少的深海结核

本文介绍了一种利用深海锰结核的创新方法。通过铝热还原锰结核，然后以自然比例将它们作为合金元素的混合物添加到铝中。研究了含有1.2、7.7和9.7 wt％的还原结核的铝合金的组织和性能。合金是由Al基体和少量的Al ₆（Fe，Mn）和Al ₁₁ Fe _7形成的金属间相。含有大量还原结核的合金具有非常好的热稳定性。通过X射线衍射对所得合金进行研究，通过扫描电子显微镜观察其显微组织，并且通过能量色散谱仪分析其局部化学组成。在初始材料上和长期退火后，测量样品的硬度。基于所获得的结果，铝合金加上减少的深海结核，可以用作例如通过快速凝固或热加工方法进行加工的前体。