THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC NIOBIUM FROM AN OXIDE-CARBIDE MIXTURE

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Tsvetnye Metally

OSTI ID:4808103

Shveykin, G P; Gel'd, P V

Results of studies of the reaction at atmospheric pressure and the composition of the intermediate products are presented. The starting materials were niobium pentoxide and acetylene black. The first stage of the two-stage process for the thermal production of niobium is the production of niobium oarbide from nlobium pentoxide and carbon: Nb/sub 2/O/sub 5/ + 5C = 1.42NbC/sub 0/ +0.573Nb0/sub 2/ + 3.854 C. Experiments were carried out in a resistance furnace. The kinetics were followod by the decrease in weight. Metallic niobium was prepared In a laboratory vacuum furnace. The effect of temperature ( deg C) on the kinetics of the reaction at atmospheric pressure STAdecrease in weight of the charge (niobium pentoxide and carbon) in relative units! is illustrated. The reaction begins at 900 deg C. The loss in weight increases with increasing temperature up to 1300 deg C. The phase analysis of the products of reduction is given. For the preparation of metallic niobium, dobium pertoxide was added (5% excess). The charge was carefully mixed and a 9% solution of rubber in benzene was added. The mixture was pressed into mouldings with 4.5 T/cm/sup 2/ and they were dried at 120 deg C. It was found necessary to give a preliminary heat- treatment to the mouldings at 1350-1400 deg C in an argon atmosphere to give sufficient strength and conductivity. The samples could then be heated by high frequency induction or by electrical current. By heating to 1450-1500 deg C in vacuo, holding at this temperature for 30 minutes and increasing the temperature to 1750 deg C, porous mouldings of metallic niobium containing 99.4-99.8% Nb, 0.5- 0.1% C and less than 0.1% O/sub 2/ were obtained. (OTS)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-16-009146
• OSTI ID: 4808103
• Journal Information: Tsvetnye Metally, Journal Name: Tsvetnye Metally Vol. Vol: 34: No. 4
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACETYLENES
ARGON
BENZENE
CARBON
COMBUSTION
FURNACES
HEAT TREATMENTS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NIOBIUM
NIOBIUM CARBIDES
NIOBIUM OXIDES
OXYGEN
PHASE DIAGRAMS
POROSITY
PRODUCTION
REACTION KINETICS
REDUCTION
RUBBER
SOLUTIONS
TEMPERATURE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
VACUUM