METHOD OF PRODUCING MICROSTRUCTURED POWDERS OF TITANIUM Russian patent published in 2020 - IPC C25C3/26 C22B34/12 C25C5/04 

FIELD: physics; chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to electrolytic production of microstructured titanium powder. Electrolysis is carried out at 600–700 °C in molten electrolyte based on halides of alkali and/or alkali-earth metals without titanium compounds. Method involves dissolution of titanium or its wastes at anode with formation of solutions of titanium compounds in salt melt with simultaneous dissolution of alkali metal released in cathode, to produce titanium powders by reduction of its compounds with dissolved alkali metal in volume of molten salt in electrolytic cell under inert atmosphere. Cathodic current density is stepwise increased from 0.5 A/cm² to 1.5 A/cm², anode is installed 4–8 times less than cathode density. At reduction of working voltage value by 4–5 % of initial value for each stage electrolysis current is disconnected for 1–2 s with measurement of reverse electromotive force and back EMF maintained within 1.5–1.4 V to 0.4–0.3 V. For each subsequent connection, cathodic current density is increased by 1.3–1.5 times by increasing current or decreasing cathode surface.

EFFECT: obtaining microstructural (from 10 to 100 mcm) titanium powders for 3D-technologies.

1 cl, 1 tbl, 4 ex