Production of intermetallic compound powders through hydrogen and sodium reduction of chlorides

Abstract

Fine Nb–Sn and Nb–Ta intermetallic powders were produced by hydrogen reduction from their uniformly mixed chloride vapours, while Nb–Al intermetallic powders were synthesised by sodium reduction of their chlorides in a LiCl–KCl–NaCl–CaCl2 molten medium. The obtained Nb–Sn and Nb–Ta powders were fine and agglomerated, with a uniform particle size distribution and a typical particle size of 20–40 nm. The particle size of Nb–Al powders synthesised by sodium reduction was approximately in the range of 50–300 nm.