Abstract

In the conventional metallothermic reduction (MR) process for obtaining tantalum powder in batch-type operation. it is difficult to control morphology and location of deposits. On the other hand, a electronically mediated reaction (EMR) process is capable to overcome these difficulties and has a merit of continuous process, but it has the defect that the reduction yield is poor. MR-EMR combination process is a method that is able to overcome demerits of MR and EMR process. In this study, a MR-EMR combination process has been applied to the production of tantalum powder by sodium reduction of K_2TaF_7. The total charge passed through external circuit and average particle size (FSSS) were increased with increasing reduction temperature. The proportion of fine particle (-325 mesh) was decreased with increasing reduction temperature. The yield was improved from 65% to 74% with increasing reduction temperature. Considering the charge, impurities, morphology, particle size and yield, an reduction temperature of 1,123 K was found to be optimum temperature for MR-EMR combination process.

• Keywords: Tantalum powder;Metallothermic reduction;Electronically mediated reaction;Reductant;Charge;yield;Particle size;