US1996037A - Process for producing zirconium alloys - Google Patents
Process for producing zirconium alloys Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US1996037A US1996037A US725900A US72590034A US1996037A US 1996037 A US1996037 A US 1996037A US 725900 A US725900 A US 725900A US 72590034 A US72590034 A US 72590034A US 1996037 A US1996037 A US 1996037A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- zirconium
- silicon
- furnace
- carbide
- silica
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 10
- 229910001093 Zr alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 7
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 32
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 32
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 24
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 229910026551 ZrC Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- OTCHGXYCWNXDOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N [C].[Zr] Chemical compound [C].[Zr] OTCHGXYCWNXDOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 17
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 12
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 11
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 11
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- UVGLBOPDEUYYCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon zirconium Chemical compound [Si].[Zr] UVGLBOPDEUYYCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 229910000676 Si alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000010924 continuous production Methods 0.000 description 3
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C16/00—Alloys based on zirconium
Definitions
- Patented 7 Mar. 26, 1935 PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS Frederick M. Becket, New York, N. Y., assignor to Electro Metallurgical Company, a corporation of West Virginia No Drawing. Application 'May 16, 1934, Serial No. 725,900
- the invention is a process for producing zirconium alloys, and relates more especially to a continuous process for producing zirconium-sili-.
- low-carbon zirconium-silicon alloys which contain at least as much silicon as zirconium may be produced in an electric furnace by reducing with carbon a mixture of zirconium ore and silica. It is also known that when the silica and zirconium are used in proportions to give an alloy containing more zirconium than silicon a substantial proportion of zirconium carbide is formed, and that this zirconium carbide builds up on the furnace hearth as a hard, dense, practically infusible mass which makes it impossible to tap the furnace. Hence, it has heretofore been commercially impracticable to produce by such a process alloys containing more zirconium than silicon, although there is a demand for ,such alloys.
- zirconium carbide formed as described 'above, may be decomposed and removed in the form of an alloy higher in silicon than in zirconium by operating the furnace with a relatively high ratio of silica to zirconium ore. This effect is quite surprising when the stability and refractory character of zirconium carbide are considered.
- the process of the present invention comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in such proportions that an alloy containing more zirconium than silicon is produced, whereby a mass of zirconium carbide is gradually accumulated on the furnace bottom or hearth, continuing this step until the accumulation of zirconium carbide is sufficiently greatto interfere with the normal operation of the furnace; then reducing the ratio of zirconium ore to silica in the mixture charged to the furnace, whereby an alloy containing more silicon than zirconium is produced and the zirconium carbide on the hearth is gradually decomposed and removed, continuing this step until the mass of carbide is reduced to the desired extent; and then repeating the firstmentioned step.
- the invention is a continuous process which produces alternately alloys having a ratio of zirconium to silicon greater and less than one.
- a furnace charge consisting of a mixture containing about:
- the zirconium ore used was a mixture of about equal parts of two ores having the following respective analyses: 7
- the alloy produced during this stage of the process contained. more zirconium than silicon, and a typical analysis was:
- the zirconium ore used was the same as in the previous stage.
- the alloy produced during this second stage contained more silicon than zirconium, and a typical composition was:
- the zirconium carbide accumulated had been removed sufliciently, and the ratio of zirconium ore to silica in the charge was again raised to produce the higher zirconium alloy.
- the furnace may be run with a charge containing no zirconium ore. Under these conditions the hearth supplies all-of the zirconium in the alloy so produced.
- the process of producing zirconium alloys which comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more zirconium than silicon, whereby zirconium carbide is accumulated in the furnace, and subsequently operating the same furnace with a charge containing silica and which yields in the presence of the said zirconium carbide a zirconium-silicon alloycontaining more silicon than zirconium, whereby the said zirconium carbide is decomposed and removed from the furnace;
- zirconium alloys which comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more zirconium than silicon, whereby zirconium carbide is accu- -mulated in the furnace, and subsequently reducing with carbon in the same furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more silicon than zirconium, whereby the said zirconium carbide is decomposed and removed from the furnace.
- the continuous process of producing zirconium alloys which comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a'mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more zirconium than silicon, whereby zirconium carbide is accumulated in the furnace, and subsequently sufficiently increasing the ratio of silica to zirconium ore in said mixture to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more silicon than zirconium, whereby the said zirconium carbide is decomposed and removed from the furnace; and repeating this procedure in continuous fashion.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Carbon And Carbon Compounds (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
Description
Patented 7 Mar. 26, 1935 PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS Frederick M. Becket, New York, N. Y., assignor to Electro Metallurgical Company, a corporation of West Virginia No Drawing. Application 'May 16, 1934, Serial No. 725,900
3 Claims.
The invention is a process for producing zirconium alloys, and relates more especially to a continuous process for producing zirconium-sili-.
con alloys. Y
It is known that low-carbon zirconium-silicon alloys which contain at least as much silicon as zirconium may be produced in an electric furnace by reducing with carbon a mixture of zirconium ore and silica. It is also known that when the silica and zirconium are used in proportions to give an alloy containing more zirconium than silicon a substantial proportion of zirconium carbide is formed, and that this zirconium carbide builds up on the furnace hearth as a hard, dense, practically infusible mass which makes it impossible to tap the furnace. Hence, it has heretofore been commercially impracticable to produce by such a process alloys containing more zirconium than silicon, although there is a demand for ,such alloys.
I have now found that the hearth of zirconium carbide, formed as described 'above, may be decomposed and removed in the form of an alloy higher in silicon than in zirconium by operating the furnace with a relatively high ratio of silica to zirconium ore. This effect is quite surprising when the stability and refractory character of zirconium carbide are considered.
The process of the present invention comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in such proportions that an alloy containing more zirconium than silicon is produced, whereby a mass of zirconium carbide is gradually accumulated on the furnace bottom or hearth, continuing this step until the accumulation of zirconium carbide is sufficiently greatto interfere with the normal operation of the furnace; then reducing the ratio of zirconium ore to silica in the mixture charged to the furnace, whereby an alloy containing more silicon than zirconium is produced and the zirconium carbide on the hearth is gradually decomposed and removed, continuing this step until the mass of carbide is reduced to the desired extent; and then repeating the firstmentioned step. Thus, the invention is a continuous process which produces alternately alloys having a ratio of zirconium to silicon greater and less than one. I
60 As an example of the operation of the process of the invention, the following is typical. A furnace charge consisting of a mixture containing about:
was fed into an electric furnace continuously for several days. The zirconium ore used was a mixture of about equal parts of two ores having the following respective analyses: 7
The alloy produced during this stage of the process contained. more zirconium than silicon, and a typical analysis was:
. Percent Zirconium 54.73 Silicon 39.70 Iron 3.82 Aluminum plus Titanium 1.20 Carbon 0.25
After a period of several days the accumulation of zirconium carbide on the furnace hearth was so great that it was extremely diflicult to tap the furnace. Thereupon the furnace charge was changed to a mixture containing about:
The zirconium ore used was the same as in the previous stage. The alloy produced during this second stage contained more silicon than zirconium, and a typical composition was:
- Per cent Zirconium 38.17 Silicon 51.29 Iron 8.26 Titanium 0.59 Carbon 0.26 Aluminum 0.55
After the furnace had been operated several days on this second stage, the zirconium carbide accumulated had been removed sufliciently, and the ratio of zirconium ore to silica in the charge was again raised to produce the higher zirconium alloy.
When it is desired to remove the zirconium carbide hearth rapidly, the furnace may be run with a charge containing no zirconium ore. Under these conditions the hearth supplies all-of the zirconium in the alloy so produced.
All proportions herein are by weight.
I claim:
1. The process of producing zirconium alloys which comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more zirconium than silicon, whereby zirconium carbide is accumulated in the furnace, and subsequently operating the same furnace with a charge containing silica and which yields in the presence of the said zirconium carbide a zirconium-silicon alloycontaining more silicon than zirconium, whereby the said zirconium carbide is decomposed and removed from the furnace;
2. The process of producing zirconium alloys which comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more zirconium than silicon, whereby zirconium carbide is accu- -mulated in the furnace, and subsequently reducing with carbon in the same furnace a mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more silicon than zirconium, whereby the said zirconium carbide is decomposed and removed from the furnace.
3. The continuous process of producing zirconium alloys which comprises reducing with carbon in an electric furnace a'mixture of silica and zirconium ore or compound in proportions to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more zirconium than silicon, whereby zirconium carbide is accumulated in the furnace, and subsequently sufficiently increasing the ratio of silica to zirconium ore in said mixture to produce a zirconium-silicon alloy containing more silicon than zirconium, whereby the said zirconium carbide is decomposed and removed from the furnace; and repeating this procedure in continuous fashion.
FREDERICK M. BECKET.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US725900A US1996037A (en) | 1934-05-16 | 1934-05-16 | Process for producing zirconium alloys |
| FR778122D FR778122A (en) | 1934-05-16 | 1934-09-04 | Improvements in the production of zirconium alloys and alloys obtained |
| DEE45980D DE657218C (en) | 1934-05-16 | 1934-09-07 | Process for the production of zirconium alloys |
| GB26326/34A GB427076A (en) | 1934-05-16 | 1934-09-13 | Improvements in or relating to zirconium alloys |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US725900A US1996037A (en) | 1934-05-16 | 1934-05-16 | Process for producing zirconium alloys |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US1996037A true US1996037A (en) | 1935-03-26 |
Family
ID=24916404
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US725900A Expired - Lifetime US1996037A (en) | 1934-05-16 | 1934-05-16 | Process for producing zirconium alloys |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US1996037A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE657218C (en) |
| FR (1) | FR778122A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB427076A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2848315A (en) * | 1955-04-25 | 1958-08-19 | Schwarzkopf Dev Co | Process for producing titanium, zirconium, and alloys of titanium and zirconium by reduction of oxides of titanium or zirconium |
-
1934
- 1934-05-16 US US725900A patent/US1996037A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1934-09-04 FR FR778122D patent/FR778122A/en not_active Expired
- 1934-09-07 DE DEE45980D patent/DE657218C/en not_active Expired
- 1934-09-13 GB GB26326/34A patent/GB427076A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE657218C (en) | 1938-02-26 |
| FR778122A (en) | 1935-03-09 |
| GB427076A (en) | 1935-04-15 |
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