Abstract
To develop an effective production process of niobium powder, a new preform reduction process (PRP) based on the magnesiothermic reduction of feed preform containing niobium oxide (Nb 2 O 5 ) was investigated. The feed preform was fabricated from slurry, which was made by mixing Nb 2 O 5 powder, flux (e.g., CaCO 3 ) and binder. Various compositions of preform in the form of plates were prepared using a conventional technique, and the fabricated preform was heated at 1 273 K before reduction in order to remove the binder and water. The sintered solid preform containing Nb 2 O 5 was then placed in a stainless steel container, and made to react with magnesium vapor at a constant temperature, ranging between 1 073 and 1 273 K, for six hours. Niobium powder was recovered from the reduced preform by acid leaching. Niobium metal powder with 99mass% purity was obtained as a result. This process was found to be suitable for producing a homogenous fine powder, when the composition of flux, and reduction conditions are controlled.
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