METHOD FOR PREPARING ZIRCONIUM OR HAFNIUM Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC C22B34/14 

FIELD: metallurgy, inorganic chemistry, chemical technology.

SUBSTANCE: method for preparing zirconium or hafnium involves calcithermal reduction from zirconium or hafnium tetrafluoride in the presence of 3.5-10 wt.-% of aluminum with respect to its sum and zirconium or hafnium in charge followed by removal of aluminum by electron-beam remelting. As parent fluorides the method uses nonsublimated zirconium or hafnium tetrafluorides with their preliminary vacuum-thermal treatment at temperature 300-600°C before their reduction step and stabilization in inert gas atmosphere at temperature 600-700°C. Method provides simplifying the process and enhancing yield of metal.

EFFECT: improved preparing method.

1 ex