MOLTEN SALT DE-OXYGENATION OF METAL POWDERS
First Claim
1. A method of removing oxygen from a metal, comprising:
- forming a mixture comprising a metal, a calcium de-oxygenation agent, and a salt;
heating the mixture at a de-oxygenation temperature for a period of time in a controlled atmosphere to reduce an oxygen content of the metal to form a de-oxygenated metal, wherein the de-oxygenation temperature is above a melting point of the salt and below a melting point of the calcium de-oxygenation agent; and
cooling the de-oxygenated metal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of removing oxygen from a metal are described. In one example, a method (100) can include forming a mixture (110) including a metal, a calcium de-oxygenation agent, and a salt. The mixture can be heated (120) at a de-oxygenation temperature for a period of time to reduce an oxygen content of the metal, thus forming a de-oxygenated metal. The de-oxygenation temperature can be above a melting point of the salt and below a melting point of the calcium de-oxygenation agent. The de-oxygenated metal can then be cooled (130). The de-oxygenated metal can then be leached with water and acid to remove by-products and obtain a product (140).
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of removing oxygen from a metal, comprising:
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forming a mixture comprising a metal, a calcium de-oxygenation agent, and a salt; heating the mixture at a de-oxygenation temperature for a period of time in a controlled atmosphere to reduce an oxygen content of the metal to form a de-oxygenated metal, wherein the de-oxygenation temperature is above a melting point of the salt and below a melting point of the calcium de-oxygenation agent; and cooling the de-oxygenated metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of removing oxygen from a metal powder, comprising:
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a) mixing a calcium de-oxygenation agent with a metal powder to be de-oxygenated according to a specific ratio depending on an amount of oxygen to be removed to form a powder mixture, wherein the calcium de-oxygenation agent includes at least one of solid calcium (Ca) and calcium hydride (CaH2); b) blending the powder mixture with a salt to form a blended mixture, wherein the salt has a melting point below a melting point of the calcium de-oxygenation agent; c) heating the blended mixture to a high temperature for a period of time, in an inert or reducing atmosphere, sufficient to reduce oxygen content of the metal powder below a predetermined oxygen threshold to form a de-oxygenated metal powder, wherein the high temperature is above a melting point of the salt and below the melting point of the calcium de-oxygenation agent; and d) cooling the de-oxygenated metal powder. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification