Abstract

In this study, tantalum powder has been producted by MR-EMR combination process. MR-EMR combination process is a method that is able to improve demerits of MR(metallothermic reduction) and EMR(electronically mediated reaction) process. This study examined the characteristics of powder with the amount of reductant excess using K_2TaF_7 as feed materials, Na as a reductant and KCl/KF as a diluent. In addition, this study examined acid treatment that affect the high purification of powder. The impurities contained in powder was removed in various conditions of acid treatment. The total charge passed through external circuit and average particle size(FSSS) were increased with increasing amount of sodium excess. The proportion of fine particle(-325mesh) was decreased with increasing amount of sodium excess. The yield was improved from 70％ to 76% with increasing amount of sodium excess. Considering the impurities, charge, morphology, particle size and yield, an amount of sodium excess of 10wt% were found to be optimum conditions for MR-EMR combination process.s.

• Keywords: MR-EMR combination process;Tantalum powder;Reductant;Charge;Particle size;Yield;