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Novel metallurgical process for titanium production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Shuqiang Jiao and
Hongmin Zhu
Shuqiang Jiao
Affiliation:
School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, People’s Republic of China
Hongmin Zhu*
Affiliation:
School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, People’s Republic of China
*
a) Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: hzhu@metall.ustb.edu.cn
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Abstract

In this work, a consumable anode composed of a solid solution of titanium carbide and titanium monoxide was prepared via carbothermic reduction of TiO2. Upon electrolysis, the anode fed Ti2+ into solution and carbon monoxide was generated; no excess carbon remained to contaminate the melt. On the cathode, high-purity titanium (>99.9%) was produced. Our results suggest anode and cathode current efficiencies of 93.5% and 89% respectively, indicating that the method is viable and extremely cost-effective, potentially dropping the cost of titanium to near that of aluminum.

Keywords

ElectrodepositionMetallic conductorOxide

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Type
Rapid Communications
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 21 , Issue 9 , September 2006, pp. 2172 - 2175
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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