Electrorefining of zirconium metal in alkali chloride and alkali fluoride fused electrolytes

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5191980

Flengas, S N; Kipouros, G J

The electrorefining of zirconium metal in alkali halide melts has been investigated. Variables affecting the electrodeposition process such as the composition of the electrolyte, the current density, and the configuration of the electrodes were studied. Two types of electrolytes were used: the alkali chloride-rich and the alkali fluoride-rich electrolytes. The various electrolytes are considered in terms of their ability to complex the soluble zirconium ions, a property which is important for the electrodeposition of coherent metal deposits from these melts. Crystalline zirconium metal of good quality has been obtained from fluoride melts containing NaF, LiF, and either ZrF/sub 4/ or K/sub 2/ZrCl/sub 6/ at about 750/sup 0/C.

• Research Organization: Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5191980
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 132:5; ISSN JESOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101* -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400 -- Electrochemistry
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CURRENT DENSITY
DEPOSITION
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTROREFINING
ELEMENTS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM FLUORIDES
LITHIUM HALIDES
LYSIS
METALS
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
REFINING
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM FLUORIDES
SURFACE COATING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
ZIRCONIUM
ZIRCONIUM CHLORIDES
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM FLUORIDES