METHOD OF OBTAINING NIOBIUM POWDER Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC C22B34/24 B22F9/18 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: initial fusion charge, which contains oxygen or oxygen and oxygen-free niobium compound and alkali metal halogenide, is loaded into hermetic reactor. Atmosphere of inert gas is created in reactor and charge is heated with formation of melt. Alkali metal in quantity, equal to stochiometric with niobium reduction is supplied into melt with mixing. Powder-like oxygen-free compound of niobium is additionally introduced into melt. Melt is exposed for 10-40 minutes, after which alkali metal is added in quantity, which ensures reduction of niobium, contained in additionally introduced oxygen-free compound, Alkali metal is added in two stages with intermediate exposure of melt for not less than 30 minutes. Formed reaction mass, which contains niobium and alkali metal halogenide, is cooled, milled and obtained niobium powder is washed.

EFFECT: increase of powder quality, obtained powder has smoothed surface of particles and low content of admixtures of alkali metals.

5 cl, 3 ex