METHOD OF PRODUCING RARE METAL POWDERS Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC B22F9/18 B82B3/00 

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to powder metallurgy of rare metals (zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum) used in production of heat-, corrosion- and radiation-resistant alloys for nuclear, aircraft and chemical industries, as well as highly dispersed and electrolytic powders for pyrotechnics and electronics. Proposed method comprises metallothermic reduction of fused mix of rare metal halogenides and potassium chloride in heating and mixing, hydrometallurgical treatment of reduced reaction mix, and powder drying. Note here that reduction is performed by magnesium added one time at 750-800°C for 15±5 min followed by melt cooling to room temperature at the rate of 50-100C°/min.

EFFECT: simplified process, fire safety, higher dispersiveness of rare metal powders (30 to 60 nm).

2 cl, 3 ex