Electro-deoxidation of hafnium dioxide and niobia-doped hafnium dioxide in molten calcium chloride

Authors: Abdelkader, A.M. and Fray, D.J.

Journal: Electrochimica Acta

Volume: 64

Pages: 10-16

ISSN: 0013-4686

DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2011.11.107

Abstract:

This paper investigates the capability of the FFC-Cambridge process of producing metallic hafnium powder that can meet commercial standards. The results show that the reduction in the core of the pellet is hindered in an intermediate step associated with the formation of CaHfO 3. Doping the initial hafnium oxide with niobium oxides in the initial pellet prevents this blocking. The charge passed is much higher than that observed with undoped HfO 2. The powder obtained after 36 h of electro-deoxidation is an Hf-Nb alloy cubes with 0.8 wt.% oxygen content and 5-20 μm size. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: Scopus