Chapter 4 - Chemical processes for the production of titanium tetrachloride as precursor of titanium metal

Abstract

Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) has been the chemical precursor of virtually all titanium metal commercially produced to date. It is a key intermediate species in both the Kroll and the Hunter processes. This Chapter explains how titanium tetrachloride is produced via fluidized bed or molten salt chlorination, and subsequently purified to the quality required by titanium sponge manufacturers. The Chapter also provides an introduction to the production of purified titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is used as precursor in a number of experimental processes for titanium production.