Preparation of aluminum powder by the dispersion of aluminum in molten sodium hydroxide

Abstract

1. A study was made of the possibility of producing aluminum powder by the technique of spontaneous dispersion of aluminum in molten dehydrated and nondehydrated sodium hydroxide, followed by the washing off of the alkali with anhydrous ethyl alcohol. 2. The properties of the aluminum powders produced-particle shape, specific surf'ace area, active-aluminum content, particle-size distribution, and apparent density for various periods of exposure of metal in alkali and process temperatures -were investigated. 3. It is shown that high-quality powder can be produced by this technique when the dispersion of aluminum is conducted in anhydrous sodium hydroxide in the temperature range 650-700~ with a brief exposure of the metal to the alkali. 4. The cost of aluminum powder obtained by the spontaneous dispersion of aluminum in molten sodium hydroxide does not exceed the cost of undispersed aluminum powder obtained by the atomization of the liquid metal with compressed air.