Developing of Novel Electrorefining Process of Titanium from Cuti Alloy in K-Free Molten Salt

Abstract

There are many researchers studied electrochemical behavior of Ti ions introduced by addition of K2TiF6, TiClx and TiFx in chloride and fluoride electrolytes, however, there is no research about BaTiF6. Thus, this research contains a novel process of usage of BaTiF6 as a solvent in fluoride molten salt at 750 ºC. There is also a novel process of Ti ingot preparation is described, where electrorefining of Ti from CuTi alloy is one of technological step (Fig. 1). Electrochemical behavior of Ti ions was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and anodic polarization measurement methods. Then Ti electrorefining process was investigated by chronopotentiometry method using CuTi rod as an anode (counter electrode). Electrolysis of Ti was performed at various conditions (current density, temperature) to study morphology of deposited Ti. SEM and EDS analyzes were used to investigate deposition properties and composition. ICP and FTIR analysis were applied to detect titanium concentration and determine titanium valence state in quenched salt samples at various conditions. The crystal size of Ti was up to 200 µm in most cases, what allowed successful separation of the deposit from salt, and then obtaining of Ti ingot by arc melting process.