GB666586A - A method for the preparation of alloys - Google Patents

Abstract

666,586. Electrolytic preparation of alloys. AMREIN, W. March 1, 1949 [March 3, 1948], No. 5555/49. Class 41. [Also in Group II] In a method for the preparation of alloys, of which the constituents are capable of forming water-resistant amalgams and at least one of which is difficultly soluble, or insoluble, in mercury, a metal the amalgam of which is electronegative to the amalgam of the alloy to be obtained is selected to be treated electrolytically with mercury (as cathode) in a closed circuit, the quantity of said metal being small, for instance 0.1 per cent, the resulting amalgam being caused to react in a continuous process with a solution of metallic salts comprising alloy constituents, and the resulting compound metallic amalgam being separated out of the circuit and freed from the mercury by heating. The metal selected may itself form one of the constituents of the alloy. In the arrangement shown, an amalgam is formed in an electrolytic cell A using a metal salt solution and a mercury cathode, the amalgam flowing to a chemical reaction cell B in two compartments I, II. Into compartment I a metallic salt solution containing alloy constituents enters by way of inlet 5 and is discharged through outlet 6. Another metallic salt solution containing alloy constituents not as soluble in mercury as those in compartment I, is supplied through inlet 7 to compartment II and is discharged through outlet 8. The alloy constituents form an amalgam with mercury, displacing the metal provided in the electrolyte cell A. The amalgam is subjected to filtration, centrifuging or like treatment to separate the amalgam from mercury, which is returned to the electrolytic cell. The mercury in the amalgam is expelled by heating. Examples are given of the production of brass powder using zinc amalgam produced in the electrolytic cell, of the production of a powdered alloy of iron, nickel, and manganese, using a sodium amalgam, and of the production of a powdered alloy of manganese and copper, using a sodium amalgam.